COL Motions on Our Magazines, Privacy and Past-Presidents Are a Surprise

Posted by John Borst on Apr 30, 2019
Club size Council on Legislation Districts Magazine Privacy Rotary International The Rotarian
#4 in a series
I didn’t expect subjects such as District Administration and Rotary International-General to hold anything exciting, but I was wrong as there was much to chew upon.   
No less than three resolutions dealt with Rotary’s official magazine The Rotarian. Rotary can now change the name anytime it wants in keeping with its new branding effort.
 
However, motions attempting to make subscribing optional failed, as did the even more radical proposal to discontinue the print edition entirely.
 
Each enactment has to describe its potential financial implications as a result data on revenue and cost of our magazines was included.  I thought it worth sharing.
“Current revenue and expenses based on 2016-2017 data for 427,000 subscribers:
●            revenues US$6.2 million (subscriptions US$5.9 million and advertising US$300,000)
●            direct expenses US$4.7 million (primarily paper, printing, postage, and editorial staffing)
●            indirect expenses estimated at US$1.3 million (primarily technology, visual media, and       secretariat staffing outside of editorial and overheads)”
 
I have always been aware of the concerns of most Rotarians for their privacy, (19-69) particularly as ClubRunner has built in settings which allow members to determine their individual preferences. Hence seeing the motion on Privacy fail, which was at the same time about Rotary’s use of our data, a genuine surprise. The movers are ahead of the game and especially as governments become more concerned about the issue and begin to regulate the giants like Google, Microsoft and Facebook Rotary will have to be careful not to breech national laws, Constitutions and human rights codes. The Proposed Resolutions document is worth downloading just to read the rationale on this enactment alone.
 
Frankly, the movers of the enactment to discontinue Past Presidents’ attendance at COL and to disband their “Council” (19-71) was both gutsy and a pipe dream. You have to admit if there was ever a thing like an Old Boys Club that has to be it. That is not to be-little them, but rather to inject a little humour into a dry topic. I doubt the movers were surprised by its failure.
 
Three motions on boundaries show they have become more relevant as our member distribution migrates from western to eastern and southern nations. The elimination of the two-year period of limbo (19-63) between the announcement and implementation was more dysfunctional than useful while the two items (19-63 & 64) attempting to stave off the inevitable were doomed to rejection.
 
Giving the board authority to terminate a club with less than six members was wise. I’m surprised it wasn’t mandatory. With the growth of options especially the development of Satellite clubs any club reaching eight or less ought one day be declared a Satellite of a neighboring club for administrative purposes.
 
Please note: there will now be a delay in my analysis of the remaining forty-six resolutions as I have my District 5550 conference to attend this weekend plus the Wizard of Oz ballet by the RWB company and a Canadian Premier Soccer League game to attend at the same time in Winnipeg.
 
PRELIMINARY VOTING RESULTS FOR 2019 COUNCIL ON LEGISLATION
56-59
DISTRICT Administration
YES
NO
RESULT
19-56
To eliminate the position of vice-governor
6.120.1. Vice-Governor.
 The nominating committee for governor may select one available past governor, proposed by the governor-elect, to be named vice-governor who shall serve during the year following selection. The role of the vice-governor will be to replace the governor in case of temporary or permanent inability to continue in the performance of the governor’s duties. If no selection is made by the nominating committee, the governor-elect may select a past governor as vice-governor.
 6.120.2. 6.120.1. Authority of Board and President.
If there is no vice-governor In the event of a vacancy in the office of governor, the board is authorized to elect a qualified Rotarian past governor to fill a vacancy in the office of governor for the unexpired term. The president may appoint a qualified Rotarian past governor as acting governor until such vacancy is filled by
the board. If there is no available or qualified past governor, a qualified Rotarian may be selected.
24 6.120.3. 6.120.2. Temporary Inability to Perform Duties of Governor.
Essentially the same as above
189
327
Rejected
19-57
To extend the deadline to submit the annual district statement
16.060.4. Annual Statement and Report of District Finances.
The Within one year of serving as governor, the immediate past governor must provide an independently reviewed annual statement and report of the district finances that has been independently reviewed to each club in the district within three months of the completion of the governor’s year in office.  The immediate past governor must provide the statement and report and have it discussed and adopted at a district meeting to which all clubs are entitled to send a representative and for which 30-days notice has been given.  Alternatively, within one year of ending his or her governor term, the immediate past governor may ask the governor to conduct a ballot-by-mail for adoption of the statement and report.   The statement and report shall be sent no less than 30 days prior to the ballot-by-mail.  The governor shall start this process within 30 days of receiving the request from the immediate past governor.
It may The statement and report shall be reviewed either by a qualified accountant or by a district audit committee as may be decided by the district conference.  If an the audit committee approach is selected, then it the committee must:
(a)          be composed of at least three members;
(b)          have all the members be active Rotarians have its members selected in accordance with established district procedures;
(c)          have contain at least one member who is a past governor and or a person with audit experience an independent person with financial literacy;
(d)          not allow contain the following to serve on the audit committee individuals for the year in which they serve in these positions: governor, treasurer, signatories of district bank accounts, and members of the finance committee; and
(e)          have the members selected by the district in accordance with the procedures established by the district.
424
92
Adopted
19-58
To amend the process for convening a district legislation meeting
Added to 16.040.1. Time and Place.
If one-third of the club presidents in a district submit to the governor a request to convene a district legislation meeting, along with the items to be discussed, the governor shall convene a district legislation meeting within eight weeks of such request. 
 
442
65
Adopted
19-59
To require codification of and continuing effect to recommendations adopted at a district conference or legislation meeting
16.040.3. Conference and District Legislation Meeting Actions.
Added to Any adopted recommendation shall remain in effect unless it is repealed or revised through a resolution at a subsequent district conference or legislation meeting.  For effective implementation, each district shall compile a manual (district code of policies) of recommendations adopted in the previous three to five years, which it consistently manages and shares with clubs. 
224
289
Rejected
60-71
Rotary International-General
YES
NO
RESULT
19-60
To provide for a uniform process for removing officers and committee members for cause
This is the rational for the change proposed
The current RI Bylaws provide multiple procedures for suspending or removing officers for cause.  It is recommended that there be one, uniform procedure for suspending and removing RI officers, officers-elect, officers-nominee, officers-nominee-designate, and committee members.  The proposed enactment ensures that individuals have an opportunity to provide information to the RI Board, before it decides whether to remove the individual from office or position for cause, or to withdraw the suspension.
 
 
withdrawn
19-61
To amend the duties of the RI Board
By adding to 5.010 Duties of the Board
Each director shall regularly report on the decisions of the board and his/her activities as director to the members in his/her zone and the alternate/paired zone.
403
106
Adopted
19-62
To provide that the general secretary is the chief executive officer of RI
6.140.3. General Secretary.
The general secretary shall be the chief operating executive officer of RI.  As chief operating executive officer, the general secretary shall be responsible for the day-to-day management of RI under the direction and control of the board. 
306
214
Adopted
19-63
To remove the delay before a change to district boundaries takes effect
Article 16  Districts
16.010. How Established.
Delete the sentence: Any decision by the board to eliminate or change district boundaries shall not be effective for at least two years.
419
93
Adopted
19-64
To revise the Board’s authority to change district boundaries
In 16.010.1. Eliminating and Changing Boundaries.
One sentence was modified: The board shall take into account the effectiveness of a district’s contribution to Rotary’s mission, geographical boundaries, potential for district growth, and cultural, economic, language, and other relevant factors before eliminating or changing the boundaries of districts with fewer than 1,100 Rotarians. 
221
284
Rejected
19-65
To revise the Board’s authority to change district boundaries and base zones on the number of clubs
13.010.1. Number of Zones.
The world shall be divided into 34 zones that are approximately equal in number of Rotarians clubs.
PLUS in 16.010.1. Eliminating and Changing Boundaries. The board may eliminate or change the boundaries of any district with more than 100 clubs or fewer than 1,100 Rotarians or fewer than 55 clubs,
137
367
Rejected
19-66
To remove the name of the official magazine from the RI Bylaws
IN 21.010. Authority for Publishing Official Magazine.
Delete and being known as THE ROTARIAN.
444
62
Adopted
19-67
To remove the publication and subscription requirements for the official magazine and regional magazines
Deleted all of Article 21  Official Magazine
RATIONAL an excerpt:
…the world has changed.  More people now reach for their news on their smartphone, tablet, or laptop, than pick up a traditional magazine or newspaper. Both RI and RIBI have recognized this.  RI has made a major investment in rotary.org to showcase Rotary to the general public and in My Rotary for Rotarians worldwide.  RIBI relaunched its magazine, Rotary, as an online news portal in February 2018. 
 
125
376
Rejected
19-68
To amend the subscription requirements for the official magazine and regional magazines
In 21.020. Subscription Prices.
21.020.2. Required Subscription. And 21.030. Subscription to Magazines.
21.030.1. Required Subscription.
Add the words have the option to and have the clubs manage those who subscribe
138
370
Rejected
19-69
To prohibit the release of members’ personal information
Article 4  Membership in Clubs
4.120. Member Information. 
RI shall not release Rotarians’ personal information to outside organizations (i.e., any entity that is not managed by, administered by, or otherwise associated with RI, The Rotary Foundation, or any Rotary entity) without the express permission of the member.  However, RI may release information as required by law or if pertinent to judicial or governmental investigations.
 
195
315
Rejected
19-70
To amend the provisions for terminating the membership of a club
3.030. Board Authority to Discipline, Suspend, or Terminate a Club.
3.030.3. Termination for Lack of Members.
The board may terminate a club upon the request of the governor if its membership falls below six members.
302
205
Adopted
19-71
To remove past RI presidents as members of the Councils and eliminate the Council of Past Presidents
TO DELETE 9.010.5. Past Presidents.
All past presidents of RI shall be non-voting members of the councils.
AND ALL OF 20.030. Council of Past Presidents.
RATIONALE: t is unclear what, if anything, past presidents add to the governance of RI.  They have neither clear terms of reference nor deliverables. 
If they do have a formal role, then the RI Board or Council on Legislation should bring forward suggestions for terms of reference. 
The effect of this enactment would be to remove past RI presidents from any formal role in the governance of RI.  
127
384
Rejected