Council on Legislation 2013
Have you ever wondered about Rotary’s future course?
Do you feel that Rotary has too many complex rules?
More particularly, have you ever felt that Rotary was too bureaucratic and wished to do something about it? To simplify something or do something new!
As you may be aware, the Parliament of Rotary International meets every third year, to consider and approve changes and new Rotary legislation. The Council on Legislation (CoL) consists of representatives of every one of the over 500 Rotary Districts across the globe. Every one of the some 1.2 million members of Rotary worldwide, including you, has the opportunity to directly influence new Rotary rules and procedures and hence the future direction of our great organisation.
The Council on Legislation is an important part of Rotary’s governance process. While the Board of Directors sets policies for Rotary International, the Council is where Rotary clubs have their say in the governance of the association.
Every Club and District is entitled to submit legislation to the Council, and some of Rotary’s most important work has resulted from Council action. Women were admitted into Rotary because of the action of the 1989 Council on Legislation, and PolioPlus was born as the result of the 1986 Council.
However, before being submitted to Rotary International, any proposal needs the backing of the District. The time limit for submitting proposals to RI is 31st December 2011; however before being submitted all proposals must have been put to and approved at our District Council meeting.
The only District Council meeting in the diary before the deadline is this coming 21st September, so time is getting short.
Don’t let your Club hold back just because you’re not sure about the formal wording that may be needed, or the consequent changes needed to other RI bylaws if one clause is changed. We can assist with that process and indeed RI itself has a team of specialists ready to aid that very task.
So for the future of our great organisation, please get your views on legislation changes agreed by your Club and onto the Agenda of the September 2011 District Council.
Whatever your question, please contact me using the details in the District Directory.
Robert Morris
PDG, 2013 Council on Legislation rep for D.1130