Did the Council of Legislation change the status of a member of a Rotaract Club with Enactment 19-72? The answer is no. They are still Rotaractors. They are not Rotarians. That is the conclusion one has to draw from the experience of two Rotaractors who also have membership in Rotary Clubs.
In both cases when applying to attend the RI Conference 2019 in Hamburg because they were also Rotarians the Rotaractors had to pay a Rotarian’s registration fee not the Rotaract fee.
The case has become somewhat of a cause celeb as a result of a Facebook post:
Original Post: Our club took the option of accepting a Rotaractor as a Rotarian. We charged a reduced rate for dues. This was even before the COL.
Imagine our surprise to find out that she has to pay Rotarian registration for the convention, not the Rotaract rate. This is what RI registration told us: "Since she also a Rotarian, registration fee of a Rotarian is applicable. Being a Rotarian takes over any other position."
So much for financial assistance for Rotaract. She would have been better off without joining our club.
Response One: John Hewko should address and fix as this is an operational matter. No one should be punished for doing the right thing.
Response Two: Unintended consequences. Money is always an issue, And RI is the less flexible of all in walking the talk.
Response Two: Unintended consequences. Money is always an issue, And RI is the less flexible of all in walking the talk.
Response Three Yes, that was the same in our Rotaract student's case as well. We even called the headquarter and no one can answer the question? So our DGE wound up paying the difference to register her for the conference.
So what did the Council do in Enactment 19-72? It is clear they gave Rotaract “Clubs” equal status to Rotary “Clubs” as members of Rotary International.
Here is 19-72 with the numbers, strikeout and underlining removed as it will eventually appear in our documents.
Frequently asked questions about 2019 Council on Legislation changes to Rotaract
The 2019 Council on Legislation amended the constitutional documents of Rotary International to include Rotaract clubs as a membership type of Rotary International. This action elevates Rotaract and positions Rotary for a future that is innovative, inclusive, and adapting to the world around us. It recognizes that Rotarians and Rotaractors make individual contributions and have different membership experiences but serve side by side in a shared desire to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
What does the vote on Rotaract (enactment 19-72) mean?
Rotary International is composed of its member clubs. This enactment, 19-72, broadens the definition of membership to include both Rotary and Rotaract clubs. It elevates Rotaract clubs by acknowledging them in the RI Constitution and RI Bylaws as a unique membership type within RI. Rotaract clubs will still have their own standard constitution and will remain a separate club membership type from Rotary clubs. But by being recognized in the constitutional documents, Rotaract clubs will enjoy greater support from RI. For the exact text of the enactment, refer to the legislation that was proposed at the 2019 Council. See the version of enactment 19-72 marked "Motion to Amend" at the top. The Council approved this version of the enactment, and all other versions should be disregarded.
Rotary International is composed of its member clubs. This enactment, 19-72, broadens the definition of membership to include both Rotary and Rotaract clubs. It elevates Rotaract clubs by acknowledging them in the RI Constitution and RI Bylaws as a unique membership type within RI. Rotaract clubs will still have their own standard constitution and will remain a separate club membership type from Rotary clubs. But by being recognized in the constitutional documents, Rotaract clubs will enjoy greater support from RI. For the exact text of the enactment, refer to the legislation that was proposed at the 2019 Council. See the version of enactment 19-72 marked "Motion to Amend" at the top. The Council approved this version of the enactment, and all other versions should be disregarded.
How do Rotaractors benefit from this change?
This action shows that Rotary International recognizes the unique value Rotaract brings to our organization. The enactment will give RI more accurate information about Rotaractors so it can improve the support and resources that help Rotaract grow. As partners in service, we will be able to better track our impact and expand our reach.
This action shows that Rotary International recognizes the unique value Rotaract brings to our organization. The enactment will give RI more accurate information about Rotaractors so it can improve the support and resources that help Rotaract grow. As partners in service, we will be able to better track our impact and expand our reach.
Does this mean Rotaractors automatically become Rotarians?
No. Members of Rotary clubs are Rotarians and members of Rotaract clubs remain Rotaractors. This enactment will not change the separate identity of Rotaractors. It simply expands the membership of Rotary International to include both Rotary and Rotaract clubs.
No. Members of Rotary clubs are Rotarians and members of Rotaract clubs remain Rotaractors. This enactment will not change the separate identity of Rotaractors. It simply expands the membership of Rotary International to include both Rotary and Rotaract clubs.
Will this change the Rotaract experience?
This enactment will not change the club experience that Rotaractors have. Rotaract clubs will still be sponsored by Rotary clubs and should maintain their current relationships with their sponsor Rotary clubs. But Rotaractors will have a much closer relationship with RI now that Rotaract clubs are a recognized membership type of RI rather than a Rotary program.
This enactment will not change the club experience that Rotaractors have. Rotaract clubs will still be sponsored by Rotary clubs and should maintain their current relationships with their sponsor Rotary clubs. But Rotaractors will have a much closer relationship with RI now that Rotaract clubs are a recognized membership type of RI rather than a Rotary program.
Does this mean Rotaract clubs will start paying dues to Rotary International?
Not immediately. According to the current RI Constitution, Rotaract clubs will pay dues as established by the Board. The Board will determine at a future time the amount of dues and when they would be collected. The Board will continue to research the best way to introduce dues. It will consider what amount is fair and what products and services Rotaractors would receive in exchange. Any changes will be implemented gradually.
Not immediately. According to the current RI Constitution, Rotaract clubs will pay dues as established by the Board. The Board will determine at a future time the amount of dues and when they would be collected. The Board will continue to research the best way to introduce dues. It will consider what amount is fair and what products and services Rotaractors would receive in exchange. Any changes will be implemented gradually.
Are Rotaract clubs still required to be sponsored by a Rotary club?
Yes. Rotaract clubs still need to be sponsored by a Rotary club to be officially recognized by Rotary International. Sponsorship of Rotaract clubs is mandated by the Board and described in Rotary's Code of Policies.
Yes. Rotaract clubs still need to be sponsored by a Rotary club to be officially recognized by Rotary International. Sponsorship of Rotaract clubs is mandated by the Board and described in Rotary's Code of Policies.
Will Rotaractors now be able to use Rotary Foundation funds for their projects?
No. Only Rotary clubs may apply for global and district grants from the Foundation. The Trustees determine who is eligible to apply for global grants and would carefully review any proposal made to allow Rotaract clubs access to Foundation funds. The Trustees encourage Rotaract clubs to work with Rotary clubs on global grant projects. Rotaract clubs can also receive funding from district grants through a Rotary club, and Rotaractors can apply for scholarships and Rotary Peace Fellowships through the Foundation.
No. Only Rotary clubs may apply for global and district grants from the Foundation. The Trustees determine who is eligible to apply for global grants and would carefully review any proposal made to allow Rotaract clubs access to Foundation funds. The Trustees encourage Rotaract clubs to work with Rotary clubs on global grant projects. Rotaract clubs can also receive funding from district grants through a Rotary club, and Rotaractors can apply for scholarships and Rotary Peace Fellowships through the Foundation.
Can Rotaract clubs now vote at the Councils or at district conferences?
No. This change does not grant Rotaract clubs a vote at Rotary district conferences or separate representation at the Councils. However, Rotaractors will continue to be encouraged to contact their district's Council representative to express their opinions on issues that will be voted on.
No. This change does not grant Rotaract clubs a vote at Rotary district conferences or separate representation at the Councils. However, Rotaractors will continue to be encouraged to contact their district's Council representative to express their opinions on issues that will be voted on.
Will Rotaract clubs be counted in Rotary's overall membership numbers?
No. Rotaract clubs will not be counted in the total number of clubs in a district. Rotarians and Rotaractors will still be counted separately.
No. Rotaract clubs will not be counted in the total number of clubs in a district. Rotarians and Rotaractors will still be counted separately.
Will Rotaractors now automatically receive a copy of a Rotary magazine?
No. Rotarians pay for a subscription to the official magazine for their region through the membership dues their clubs pay to RI. However, Rotaractors can subscribe to the digital version of The Rotarian.
No. Rotarians pay for a subscription to the official magazine for their region through the membership dues their clubs pay to RI. However, Rotaractors can subscribe to the digital version of The Rotarian.
Do Rotaractors need to do anything differently now?
This enactment is not meant to change the club experience for Rotaractors. Rotaract club leaders can update their club and member information on the Club Administration page of My Rotary so that RI can learn more about their clubs and support them better. Clubs that have reported their information will be the first to know when new products and services become available.
This enactment is not meant to change the club experience for Rotaractors. Rotaract club leaders can update their club and member information on the Club Administration page of My Rotary so that RI can learn more about their clubs and support them better. Clubs that have reported their information will be the first to know when new products and services become available.