It was a Social Meeting when we have a chance to talk to each other. A very welcome guest was the mother of one of our members, Stewart Mutegeki; Furaha Mutegeki, who is a member of the Rotary Club of Nairobi North in Kenya.
Here is Furaha exchanging club banners with President Jean.
Social Meetings always include a number of jokes but it really does give us a chance to chat and I was lucky enough to be able to chat to Furaha about her Rotary Club. Rotary is obviously thriving in Kenya and clubs are much bigger than ours. They also seem to generally feed the clubs from Interact via Rotaract into the Rotary Club itself so there is a constant influx of younger people into Rotary with a history of volunteerism and an understanding of what Rotary is all about.
Now this is something I would really like to have attended but unfortunately was otherwise engaged having to help at the Bedfordview Inner Wheel Annual Christmas Party for the Elderly from four different old age homes. It's quite exhausting because not only do you have to rush around with bottles of wine but also dance a lot!The evening was organised by our outgoing Long-term Rotary Exchange Student, Masego Matiko who is off to Thailand in a couple of weeks time. Here she is with President Elect Ann Hope-Bailie. The reason I chose this picture is because you can clearly see that Masego is wearing her Rotary Exchange Blazer.
This Week
It's a Business Meeting but it's towards the end of the year and our President is away for two weeks so I imagine it will be more social.
Saturday and Sunday see our last Spar Collections of the year but President Jean has said all that needs to be said about that.
I know that as a Club we do not seem to be considering Rotaract as a possibility but this is what we should know about the changing relationship between Rotaract & Rotary Clubs.
Changes to the Code of Policies relating to Rotaract Clubs— 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.
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