Recent Rotaract policy updates

The 2019 Council on Legislation amended the constitutional documents of Rotary International to include Rotaract clubs as a membership type. After this landmark decision in April, RI president Mark Maloney appointed the Elevate Rotaract Task Force, composed of Rotaractors and Rotarians, to recommend updates to policies to better reflect Rotaract’s newly elevated status. At every stage of the Task Force’s discussions, the critical goals were to learn what Rotaractors want from their membership and to give them every opportunity to shape these important policy decisions through surveys and focus groups.

Key decisions about Rotaract from the October 2019 Board meeting
In October 2019, the Board of Directors of Rotary International made several changes to the policies related to Rotaract, which were recommended by the Elevate Rotaract Task Force. To learn more:

• Review policy changes related to Rotaract in detail, which take effect 1 July 2020.
• Review the updated Standard Rotaract Club Constitution, which takes effect 1 July 2020.
• Review the updated Recommended Rotaract Club Bylaws, which takes effect 1 July 2020.

Below are the notable changes to Rotaract and frequently asked questions to help clarify the impact of these changes.

Changes to the Code of Policies — effective 1 July 2020:
• Rotaract clubs will be able to establish a new club with or without a sponsor.
• Rotaract clubs will able to choose other Rotaract clubs as their sponsors.
• Rotaract clubs will be open to all young adults at least 18 years old.
• Rotaract policies will be moved from Chapter V, “Programs,” to a revised Chapter II, “Clubs.”
• The Standard Rotaract Club Constitution and the Recommended Rotaract Club Bylaws will be amended to reflect these policy changes.
• Rotary districts are encouraged to include Rotaractors in every district committee.
Other key decisions:
• Rotaractors will pay per capita dues in the future, but the amount of dues and when we’ll begin collecting them have not been determined.
• The RI president, the RI Board of Directors, and The Rotary Foundation Trustees should consider how Rotaractors might advise them on Rotaract matters.
• Rotary International has set goals for Rotaract to:
? Increase the number of Rotaractors reported to Rotary by 100 percent by 2022
? Increase the number of reported Rotaractors who join Rotary clubs by 20 percent by 2022
? Increase the number of reported Rotaractors to 1 million by 2029

Frequently asked questions

How were these decisions made?
For several years, the Board, Trustees, committees, Rotarians, and Rotaractors around the world have been discussing how to elevate Rotaract and recognize Rotaract clubs as Rotary clubs’ partners in service. Rotaractors have offered their ideas to the Board through RI’s Rotaract Committee, at the annual Rotaract Preconvention, and through online surveys and focus groups — and it was time to take action.

Overwhelmingly, we heard that Rotaract was more than just a program and Rotaractors wanted more flexibility, more products and services, and more recognition from Rotary for the amazing work they’re doing in their clubs, districts, and multidistricts. After the 2019 Council on Legislation voted to officially recognize Rotaract clubs as a membership type, the President appointed the Elevate Rotaract Task Force to discuss how to update Rotaract policies to reflect this new status and create an inclusive, innovative, and flexible membership experience.

Why were these decisions made?
Rotarians and Rotaractors have been discussing the importance of Rotaractors as a part of the Rotary family, as people of action, and as an integral part of our new Action Plan. These important decisions reflect the current trends among Rotaract clubs, elevate Rotaract as a membership type alongside Rotary clubs (unique in its identity, club culture, and member benefits), and encourage greater flexibility, innovation, and diversity within Rotaract.

Do these changes take effect immediately?
No. The changes to the Rotary Code of Policies don’t take effect until 1 July 2020. This gives you time to review and discuss the changes with your club and district. Of course, we know that changes take time to implement, and we encourage clubs and districts to develop plans to update their bylaws and incorporate these changes over time.

Where can we find the policies about Rotaract?
Starting 1 July 2020, the Rotary Code of Policies, in Chapter II, “Clubs,” will have an updated Article 12 titled “Rotaract Clubs.” The policies related to Rotaract that are now in Chapter V, “Programs,” under Article 41.040, will be removed as of 1 July 2020.

Can I review the changes before they take effect?
Yes, you can review the revised policies now. Discuss the changes with your club and district leaders. If you have questions, write to rotaract@rotary.org.

When do we have to update our Rotaract constitution and bylaws?
The Standard Rotaract Club Constitution will also be updated on 1 July 2020, and only the RI Board can amend it. The Standard Rotaract Club Constitution automatically applies to all active Rotaract clubs. The Recommended Rotaract Club Bylaws will also be updated at the same time, and clubs are encouraged to customize them to meet their needs.

Why was the upper age limit for Rotaract membership removed?
Rotaract clubs are still intended for younger professionals. Removing the upper age limit of Rotaract membership allows people to choose the club experience they prefer, regardless of their age. Under the current policy, Rotaractors are often required to leave Rotaract before they’re invited to join a Rotary club or before they feel ready to join one. So, instead, they leave the family of Rotary.

Restricting Rotaract membership to people age 30 or under is perceived differently in different regions. In some places, members are likely to feel that the age limit should be raised. In others, they want it lowered. After careful consideration, the Elevate Rotaract Task Force and the Board decided that it was important to give Rotaractors the flexibility to decide for themselves when they’re ready to leave Rotaract. The majority of Rotaractors we surveyed believed that removing the age limit would either improve or not change their club experience, and they said they would still pursue joining a Rotary club in the future.

Will Rotaractors still be encouraged to become Rotarians?
Yes, of course! Rotaractors will still be encouraged to join Rotary clubs that offer the club experience they want at any time. Rotary clubs should continue to partner regularly with Rotaractors at meetings and events and on service projects. Inviting a Rotaractor to join the Rotary club will be a natural step when the time is right. Remember that Rotaractors can join a Rotary club while they are still active members of Rotaract clubs, or they can start their own Rotary clubs.

Will Rotary clubs still be able to sponsor Rotaract clubs?
Yes, starting 1 July 2020, Rotaract clubs can be sponsored by a Rotary club or clubs or another Rotaract club, or they can organize themselves without a sponsor. This will give clubs greater flexibility to choose the sponsor relationship that best meets their needs and allows for collaboration.

Will Rotaract clubs be able to sponsor other Rotaract clubs?
Yes, starting 1 July 2020, Rotaract clubs can be sponsored by another Rotaract club. This gives clubs more flexibility to find the best sponsor relationship to support their needs. Community-based Rotaract clubs will be encouraged to sponsor university-based Rotaract clubs.

How will these changes affect my Rotaract club experience?
These changes might not affect your Rotaract club experience. Rotaract clubs will still be encouraged to partner with Rotary clubs, plan innovative and sustainable local and international service projects, and offer leadership and professional development opportunities for their young professional members. Rotaract clubs will have more flexibility to design a member experience that meets their needs, engage a wider network of young professionals, and develop relationships with clubs that join together more diverse perspectives, professions, and talents.

How will these changes affect my Rotary club experience?
These changes might not affect your Rotary club experience. Rotary clubs will still be encouraged to sponsor and partner with Rotaract clubs, plan service projects with them, and support Rotaractors in honing their leadership and professional development skills through collaboration and mentorship. Rotary clubs should still work side by side with Rotaractors in their communities, encourage the development of new Rotaract clubs, and talk to Rotaractors about joining a Rotary club when the time is right.

Do Rotaract clubs have to pay RI membership dues now?
Not yet. The Board agreed that Rotaract clubs should begin paying per capita dues but is still carefully considering the results of surveys of Rotaract members before making any decisions. They will discuss the appropriate amount of dues, when dues would be collected, and what additional products and services Rotaractors would want in exchange for dues. Any changes will be implemented gradually.

Why are there membership goals for Rotaract now?
Just as clubs set goals to ensure that they continue to grow and thrive, setting membership goals for Rotaract as a whole is vital to ensure its success in the future. It’s more important than ever to understand the global impact of Rotaract and encourage clubs and districts to set ambitious goals that will help them engage even more young professionals in service and leadership through Rotaract.

Will Rotaractors be able to serve on or advise the RI Board or Trustees?
The Board and Trustees value the input of Rotaractors and have recommended that the RI president appoint Rotaractors to committees. They will continue to discuss ways to involve Rotaractors more directly in the future.

Source: Rotary International