2016 COUNCIL ON LEGISLATION OF ROTARY INTERNATIONAL:

Transcription

1 2016 COUNCIL ON LEGISLATION OF ROTARY INTERNATIONAL: SELECTED PROPOSED LEGISLATIONS WHICH AFFECT ROTARACT OFFICIAL OPINION BRIEFS FROM THE BIG WEST ROTARACT MDIO LEADERSHIP Released September 7, 2015 by Big West Rotaract MDIO Leadership Team To Rotary District Governors, District Rotaract Representatives, Big West Rotaract MDIO Voting Delegates, & Partners of Big West Rotaract MDIO Regarding the Rotary Council on Legislation (COL) happening April 10-15, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois, USA

2 Synopsis & Purpose of this Document: Every three years, Rotarians meet at the Council on Legislation to review and vote on proposed legislation. The Council gives Rotarians a voice in how Rotary International as an organization is governed. The Council on Legislation (COL) also votes on matters that have a direct effect on Rotary programs such as Rotaract. Unfortunately, Rotaractors are not given an official vote during the COL for such legislation that affect their own organization. While Rotaractors may not have a vote at the COL, Rotaractors may provide their opinions to their Rotary District s voting delegate being sent to COL, in an effort to lobby them on how they perceive certain proposed enactments will have an effect on Rotaract. This document serves as an opinion brief on 2016 COL Proposed Enactments that would directly have an effect on Rotaract. These opinion briefs are written by the Big West Rotaract MDIO Leadership Team in a pro and a con format, followed by the official recommendation of the leadership team. All briefs are written as the opinion of Big West Rotaract leaders, and do not represent the actions of Rotary International, or how the Rotary voting delegates to the 2016 COL from our member districts will vote. These recommendations are written out to be read by Rotarians and Rotaractors in the USA, and to raise awareness of proposed enactments that directly affect Rotaract. The recommendations and this document are also intended to be used by the Rotaract voting delegates of the annual Big West Rotaract Legislative Assembly (October 18, 2015 in Seattle, WA) to use should they decide to collectively vote on non binding resolutions providing formal opinions on each enactment. About Big West Rotaract MDIO: Big West Rotaract (or BWRMDIO) is an official Multi District Information Organization (MDIO) registered with Rotary International. The primary mission of BWRMDIO is to provide leadership training and education to Rotaract leaders on the west coast of the United States of America through conferences, summits, leadership training events, and online resources. BWRMDIO currently holds an annual west coast conference for Rotaractors, as well as an annual west coast leadership training for Rotaract district and club leaders. More information about Big West Rotaract MDIO may be found at 1

3 Table of Contents p To Amend the fifth Avenue of Service p To add a fifth part to the Object of Rotary to encourage a new generation of global leaders p To allow for flexibility in membership and classification p To allow Rotaractors to be active members p To request the RI Board to consider lowering the maximum age for membership in Rotaract to 25 p To request the RI Board to consider raising the Rotaract age limit to 35 p To request the RI Board to consider establishing Rotaract e clubs 2

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5 BIG WEST ROTARACT MDIO LEADERSHIP OPINION BRIEF Pro: Since members of the New Generations programs cover a wide age group, the term New Generations is more coherent, relevant, and better represent the programs. It will help unite members of each program and it encourage moving between programs within the Rotary New Generations avenue. Finally, the term New Generations is more relatable for Rotaractors who may be in their mid 20s to 30s. Con: If Enactment passed, this could cause further confusion between New Generation Rotary Clubs and the Avenue of Service, New Generations. Furthermore, the term New Generations is within itself very vague, and is not necessarily the best term to use for Rotaract. Why not include Rotaract in a separate Avenue of Service called Young Professionals instead? BWR MDIO Leadership s Recommendation: The Big West Rotaract MDIO Board of Directors & Board of Trustees jointly recommend that the Big West Rotaract Legislative Assembly votes to provide a non binding resolution in favor of Proposed Enactment It is the belief of the Big West Rotaract MDIO leadership that Enactment will have a positive effect for Rotaractors. The Big West Rotaract MDIO 4

6 leadership believes a majority of Rotaractors within its member districts prefer being categorized as New Generations over Youth Service. 5

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8 BIG WEST ROTARACT MDIO LEADERSHIP OPINION BRIEF Pro: Enactment 16 14, as stated above, is implicitly practiced by many Rotary Clubs. Having it amended to the Constitution and Bylaws will make it an official and one more added reason to support Rotaract Clubs. Con: It s not clear whether or not bringing new generations as an Object of Rotary will make Rotaract a priority, or whether or not Rotary clubs will see this as a reason to focus on bringing in young professionals directly into Rotary and skipping Rotaract completely. The biggest concern of Rotaractors should be whether or not Rotary will acknowledge and support Rotaractors and continue growing Rotaract clubs, as opposed to focusing on bringing young professionals into Rotary directly. BWR MDIO Leadership s Recommendation: The Big West Rotaract MDIO Board of Directors & Board of Trustees jointly recommend that the Big West Rotaract Legislative Assembly votes to provide a non binding resolution in favor of 7

9 Proposed Enactment It is the belief of the Big West Rotaract MDIO leadership that Enactment will have a positive effect for Rotaractors. The Big West Rotaract MDIO leadership believes a majority of Rotary clubs will see this as a reason to further support Rotaract. 8

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11 BIG WEST ROTARACT MDIO LEADERSHIP OPINION BRIEF Pro: Enactment will allow for more Rotary Clubs to adjust and adapt to their membership needs. It is unclear if this will directly benefit Rotaract but we believe that having more flexibilities in adjusting Rotary Club membership requirements will ultimately help Rotaractors transition to Rotary. Con: Leaving the membership classification system to individual clubs may result in the fragmentation of Rotary s overall brand. As it stands, each Rotary Club may be different but they all abide to the same classification system. If is passed, clubs may have to further define and explain themselves to prospective members, Rotaractors or not. BWR MDIO Leadership s Recommendation: The Big West Rotaract MDIO Board of Directors & Board of Trustees jointly recommend that the Big West Rotaract Legislative Assembly votes to provide a non binding resolution in favor of 10

12 Proposed Enactment It is the belief of the Big West Rotaract MDIO leadership that Enactment s potential for a positive effect outweighs its potential disadvantages for Rotaractors. The Big West Rotaract MDIO leadership believes that may allow for Rotary clubs to create special exceptions for Rotaractors and Rotaract alumni when it comes to membership into Rotary. 11

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15 BIG WEST ROTARACT MDIO LEADERSHIP OPINION BRIEF Pro: can be a big step forward in helping Rotaractors transition into Rotary. This is especially beneficial to those who are still very passionate about Rotaract activities but is ready to take on more responsibilities as a Rotarian. This enactment will blur the lines between Rotaract and Rotary making the organization even stronger together, with less division between programs. This may be the catalyst to more collaboration between Rotaract and Rotary. It will certainly increase Rotary s membership. Con: could dilute the significance of being in Rotaract versus Rotary. Furthermore, Rotaractors who join Rotary through this amendment will most likely be required to pay both Rotary International dues and district dues may also inadvertently lead to mixed enforcement by Rotary clubs. For example, some industrious Rotary clubs may decide to misinform their Rotaractors and tell them that Rotaractors are required to also be members of Rotary, and that they have to pay membership dues to Rotary International. Other than benefiting Rotary membership, also does not provide any clear benefits for Rotaractors. It opens a lot of opportunities for risk for Rotaractors, and only increases the financial burden for Rotaractors. 14

16 BWR MDIO Leadership s Recommendation: The Big West Rotaract MDIO Board of Directors & Board of Trustees jointly recommend that the Big West Rotaract Legislative Assembly votes to provide a non binding resolution in favor of The Big West Rotaract MDIO leadership believes that while there are potential loopholes and risks on how will be interpreted, it strongly believes that passing will have a positive effect for Rotaract clubs. 15

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18 BIG WEST ROTARACT MDIO LEADERSHIP OPINION BRIEF Pro: This enactment makes it clear that Rotaract is for young adults who are looking to do good. Anyone above 25 years old will have to join Rotary. This enactment may help clubs plan events and activities that are better fit with the age group. Con: If passed, it would be a major blow to Rotaractors currently ages 26 through 30. Imagine waking up and being told you are no longer part of Rotaract because you are too old, and that the people who made this decision were Rotarians older than you. Furthermore, it needs to be clarified that there is no proven correlation between Rotaractors or Rotaract alumni joining Rotary and the actual age limit for Rotaract. People especially Rotaractors join Rotary when they feel that they are ready, and when they have found a club that is right for them. Rotarians should not be forcing negative changes to Rotaract, and should instead be focusing their energy on creating club cultures that positively attract young professionals into Rotary. BWR MDIO Leadership s Recommendation: The Big West Rotaract MDIO Board of Directors & Board of Trustees jointly recommend that the Big West Rotaract Legislative Assembly votes to provide a non binding resolution against It is the opinion of the Big West Rotaract MDIO leadership team that if passed, it would cause some very serious and very negative effects on Rotaract not only in the west coast of the USA, but also around the globe effectively kills most community based Rotaract clubs around the globe by disqualifying the majority of their membership from being part of Rotaract. Rather than help promote goodwill towards joining Rotary, it is the strong opinion of the Big West Rotaract leadership that if passed, it would have the opposite effect: creating a strong negative backlash towards Rotary. 17

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20 BIG WEST ROTARACT MDIO LEADERSHIP OPINION BRIEF Pro: If this enactment passed, it would give Rotaractors more time to prepare themselves, both personally and professionally, for Rotary. Extending the age range will also help create more continuity in Rotaract leadership. This provides more opportunities for individual leaders to help grow the organization as well as help mentor younger Rotaractors. Rotaractors between ages 25 to 30 are usually the ones in national leadership positions. They are often the best ambassadors for Rotary and Rotaract as well as the ones who have resources to invest in Rotaract. Con: Someone who is age 18 through 25 versus 25 through 30 versus 30 through 35 have very different needs and desires in their lives. If passed, there would be no necessary improvements to either Rotaract or Rotary. Instead, this could create more rifts in clubs where the age range becomes more drastic. Instead of increasing the age range to keep Rotaractors who are aging out, and have not found a Rotary club they want to join, Rotary districts should consider establishing Rotary Alumni Associations for Rotaractors instead. This gives Rotary an opportunity to better keep in touch with Rotaract alumni. BWR MDIO Leadership s Recommendation: The Big West Rotaract MDIO Board of Directors & Board of Trustees could not come to an unified agreement on this resolution. The Big West Rotaract MDIO leadership defers this to the Big West Rotaract Legislative Assembly for discussion. 19

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22 BIG WEST ROTARACT MDIO LEADERSHIP OPINION BRIEF Pro: By allowing Rotaractors to form e clubs, we give more people the option to be part of our program without the commitment of physically being at meetings. This also allows for Rotaractors to expand their social circle, albeit virtually. Con: Passing this enactment gives Rotaractors another option to be a part of an online network. Many Rotaractors find that the value of Rotaract is the in person fellowship. Similar to Rotary e clubs, Rotaract e clubs may not have as many opportunities to meet in person. BWR MDIO Leadership s Recommendation: The Big West Rotaract MDIO Board of Directors & Board of Trustees jointly recommend that the Big West Rotaract Legislative Assembly votes to provide a non binding resolution in favor of The Big West Rotaract MDIO leadership believes that can only help expand Rotaract. 21