INTERNATIONALYACHTING FELLOWSHIPOF ROTARIANS
IYFRGENERALRULES
ED 2015
IYFRGENERALRULES
1.NAME.
The nameoftheorganizationis“The InternationalYachtingFellowshipofRotarians”(IYFR)andthemembersshall beknownas“RotaryMariners”or“Iyforians”.Fleetsmayalsoelecttousetraditionalorlocaltermsofreference for theirmembersthatidentifiestheirrelationshipwithRotaryInternationaland/orIYFR.
2.RELATION TOROTARY INTERNATIONAL.
Pursuant to the COP Article 43.010, IYFR is not an agency of, or controlled by RI but shall be organized in accordance with RI policy. IYFR is an independent not for profit corporationoriginally (2006) registered in the State of Washington, USA. However, when necessary the IYFR may be registered in other countries by the incoming EC for purposes of opening a bank account in the name of the IYFR, or otherwise.
3.OBJECTIVES.
IYFRcombinesanacceptanceofthe principlesofRIwithaloveofboatsandthesea,riversandinlandwaters,and usesthesharedinterestofyachtingandseamanship asanopportunitytoadvanceandfostertheobjectofRI. IYFR objectivesare:
3.1 To advance internationalunderstanding,goodwill and peace through a world fellowshipof business and professionalpersonsunitedintheidealsof service.
3.2TopromoteRIfellowshipthroughcruising, yachting,racing,sailing,kayaking andotheractivitiesinvolvingboatsandboating.
3.3Topromotehighstandardsofseamanshipandabidebyrecognizedyachtingcustomsandetiquetteonthe water.
3.4TosupportRIserviceprojectsandopportunities,onandoffthewater.
4.MEMBERSHIP.
4.1MembershipofIYFR shallbeopento:
4.1.1RegularMembers:activeRotarians and Rotaractorsalongwiththeirspousesorpartners.
4.1.2HonoraryMembers (HM) or Associate Members (AM): FormerRotaryMembers,theirspousesorpartnersandspousesorpartnersofdeceased Rotarianswhenbestowed ordesignatedbya Fleet.
4.1.3E-Fleet members (EM): active Rotarians and Rotaractors along with their spouses or partners that are not assimilated to any fleet who will engage with the Fellowship through social media networks.
4.2AmemberofIYFR shalleitherbeaRegularMember, anAssociate Memberor HonoraryMemberofa Fleet.
4.3AnAGMshallbeheldeachyear preferablyinconjunctionwiththeannualRIconvention.
4.4MembersshallpayannualInternational duesasrecommended bytheExecutiveCommitteeandapprovedatthe AGMto apply in the ensuing year.
4.5Atleast75%oftheMembersineachFleetshallbeactiveRotarians. Non-Rotarians shouldnotbeHonorary MembersoftheFellowshipunlessintheveryexceptionalcaseofcontinuous andmeritorious servicegiventoIYFR,as IYFRidealsandactivitiessupporter.Eachcase istobesubmittedtotherelevantAreaCommodoreandapprovedbythe IC.HonoraryMembersofFleetsmayappearontheFleetrostermaintainedbyIYFRandhaveaccesstomember’sdataat theIYFR website.
4.6Membersshouldhaveanactiveinterestinmatters pertainingtotheconductandmanagementofvessels uponthe water.Amemberdoesnotneedtoowna vessel.
4.7ThefollowingleadershippositionsmayonlybeheldbyactiveRotarians:IC,IVC,IRC,AC,RC.The position of FC shall be held by an active Rotarian, unless no such person is available to fill the post. Consequently a Past Commodore, Past Rotarian, Honorary or Associate member or a Rotaractor with the endorsement of the Regional Commodore can be appointed for limited period of time or a maximum term of two years.
5.RECORDS ANDCOMMUNICATIONS.
InconformitywiththepolicyofRI,allservingtheInternationalBridge,regardlessofnationality,mustmaintainall officialcommunications,records,andaccountsintheEnglishlanguage.
5.1DuesandaccountingareinUSDollarswithconversionofpaymentsfromothercurrenciesatcurrentexchangerates.
5.2Computersoftware,websites,andmaintenanceofrecordsaresubjecttoapprovaloftheExecutiveCommittee.
5.3TheDomainNameforthewebsiteshallberegisteredinthenameofIYFRandbeownedbyIYFR. Software purchasedforIYFRshallbethepropertyofIYFR.
5.4TheInternationalBridgeshallinsurethatthenewsletterentitledRotafloatshallbepublishedanddistributedsolelyby electronicmeansfor all membersof IYFR at least twice duringeach Rotary year. RegionalCommodoresare responsibleforcollectingandreportingfutureactivitiesandnewscomingfromtheirRegion.
5.5Financialrecords,inaccordance withUSInternalRevenueServicerequirements,mustbekeptfor5yearsfromthedatetheoriginalreturnisfiled.
6.INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE ORGANIZATION ANDPOLICIES.
6.1TheInternational BridgeOfficersoftheFellowshipshallbethethreemembersoftheExecutiveCommittee.All decisionsoftheExecutiveCommitteeshallbe madebymajorityvote. TheInternationalBridgeshallbeappointedbythe ICathisowndiscretion.
6.2Thetermofofficeforall membersoftheInternationalBridgeshallbeforaperiodofnotmorethantwo yearsinany oneoffice,exceptthatACsandRCsmaybeappointedtosuccessiveterms. ThisrestrictionshallnotprohibitanIC reappointinga memberofa previousbridgetothenewbridge.
6.3The ExecutiveCommitteeisresponsibleforthecollectionofdues,incomefrom regaliasales andothersources,and forexpenditures.TheExecutiveCommitteeshalloverseetheACsand RCsintheirgeographicAreas,themaintenanceof existingFleets,theorganization ofnewFleetsandshouldattendtheRIConvention.TheExecutive Committeeshould planandexecutetheactivitiesoftheFellowshipattheAGM, theRIConventionboothandthe preand post-convention events.
6.4TheInternationalCommodore.
6.4.1ServesasChiefExecutiveOfficeroftheFellowship,isex-officiomemberofallcommittees,and makesthe executivedecisionsnotallottedtotheExecutiveCommittee.Beresponsible forexpansionofFleetsandpromotion andorganizationofnewFleets. TheICcanappointanACforhisArea.
6.4.2PriortoJuly1stofthechangeofAdministrationyear,theICarrangesa transferof a minimumof10,000USDto theIncomingICsothathecanmaintainoperations.ThebalanceoftheInternational Treasuryistransferred bythe30Septemberaftercompletionofthefinalaccounts.
6.4.3TheICisresponsibleforalltravelexpenseswhenvisitingFleetsandattendingtheRIConventions duringhis termofoffice.Heisthereforeuponcompletionofeachyear,entitledtoclaimandacceptreimbursement ofupto6.000,00USDuponcompletionofhisannualduties,RIConventionincluded.
6.5TheInternationalViceCommodore.
6.5.1AssiststheIC inthe dischargeof officialdutiesand actas IC intheeventtheIC istemporaryunabletofulfillhis duties.IftheICisunabletocomplete histermtheIVCwillstepupandcompletetheICtermsinavacantposition statusandwiththeexistingStaff;canclaimthebalanceofhistravelexpenses.Heattheendofeachyearofhisterm isentitledtoclaimandacceptreimbursementofupto2,500USDuponcompletionofhisannualduties.
6.5.2Isresponsible,alongwiththeIC,IRC,ACsandRCsforexpansionofFleetsandpromotionandorganizationofnewFleetsandshallhaveresponsibilityasACforhisArea.
6.6TheInternationalRearCommodore.
6.6.1Supports theICandIVCintheirduties,and,intheirabsence actsintheirstead.Heattheendofeachyearof histermisalsoentitledtoclaimandacceptreimbursement ofupto1.500USD,uponcompletionofhisannual duties.
6.6.2Isresponsible,alongwiththeIC,IVC,ACsandRCsforexpansionofFleetsandpromotionandorganizationof newFleetsandshallhaveresponsibilityasACforhisArea.
6.7TheAreaCommodore.IsnominatedbytheIVCuponassumptionofhisdutiesasIC.Overviewsandcoordinatesall hisAreaactivities.
6.8TheRegionCommodore.IsnominatedbytheICuponproposalcomingfromtherelevantAreaCommodore.IsresponsibletolinktheIBtotheassignedFleets,translatingifnecessaryallthecommunicationstoandfromtheIBintothelocallanguage(s).HeoverseestheassignedFleetsactivities.
7.REGIONS,FLEETSANDSQUADRONSORGANIZATION
7.1Regions. AnythreeormoreFleets(whetherinoneCountry,inpartofaCountryorinagroupofneighboringCountries)maytogetherapplytotheirACandtotheICtoestablishthemasaRegionandtoappointaRCfortheirFleets.Theymayatthattimeorlaterrecommendoneoftheirmembersforappointment astheirRC.Inexceptional casestheECcantakeintoconsideration,uponproposaloftherelevantAC,toforma RegionoutoftwoFleets.A Region, with the approval of its members at the Regional AGM may adopt and subsequently amend its own rules for the Region itself and the Fleets within that Region, providing that such rules shall not conflict with the General Rules.
7.2Fleets.TwentyormoreMembersmayorganizeandapplyforapprovalasa‘CharteredFleet’.AFleet’snameshall bedescriptiveofa geographicfeaturewhereitislocated. TheFCshallbetheprimarycontactpersonwiththe InternationalBridgethroughRCandAC.Members that are unable to join a Fleet because of lack of proximity to a nearest fleet are temporarily berthed in the World E-Fleet until such time that they are assimilated to a Fleet or are able to build a new Squadron and eventually a new Fleet.
7.2.1EachFleet/RegionmayestablishitsownFleet/RegionRulesfortheapprovaloftheMembersoftheFleet/Region.AnysuchRules shallnotconflictwiththeseGeneralRulesand,intheeventofanyinconsistency,theseGeneralRulesshallprevail.
7.2.2Eachyear,priortothebeginningoftheRIYearon1stJuly,theFleetshallholdanAGM. FleetOfficers, including FC,FVC,FRC,Secretary, Treasurerandotherofficersasdetermined bytheFleet,shallbeelectedforaperiod notlongerthantwoyears.
7.2.3TheonlinedatabaseoftheFellowship’smembersistheofficialrecordofeachmember andmustbecontinually updated. It is responsibilityof the Fleet Commodore that the updating is performed punctually and efficiently.
7.2.4EachFleetis responsibleforpayingtheInternationaldues. Theyaredueatthe start ofeach fiscalyearJuly1, andmustbepaidtotheITbytheendofSeptember.
7.3Squadrons: aFleetSquadronisadivisionofanestablishedfleet. FleetsmayorganizeSquadrons,indefinitegeographicareas,inordertosupportandbetterencourageIYFRmembershipgrowthandfutureFleetdevelopment.
8.THECOLLEGE OFPASTINTERNATIONAL COMMODORES
8.1 The College of Past International Commodores (CPC) is composed of all Past International Commodores provided that they remain members of IYFR. The outgoing IC becomes the Immediate Past International Commodore (IPIC) and Chair of the CPC. In normal circumstances the CPC shall act in an advisory capacity and shall, whenever possible, make themselves available upon request to all Fleet and International Officers.
8.2TheCPC when asked by the EC can act in an oversight capacity to investigate matters of a serious and well-founded concern about any aspect of operation, administration or finances of IYFR brought to the EC’s attention. The CPC’s decision, taken at simple majority, will be deemed final and the recommended action to be taken, mandatory.
9.ELECTION OFINTERNATIONAL OFFICERS
TheIRCshallbeelectedforatwo-yeartermandshallmoveuptoViceCommodore andInternationalCommodore unlessthereareextenuatingcircumstances. “TheChangeofCommand”andthehandingoveroftheIC’sjeweland burgeeshalltakeplaceattheAGMdinnerwhereverandwheneveritoccurs,butthenewincoming ICwillonlyassume commandofIYFRon1 July.
10.BANKINGACCOUNTINGPROCEDURES.
AccountsshallbemaintainedinaccordancewiththeGenerallyAcceptedAccounting Principlesandapplicable lawwheretheaccountsareheld.The IYFR main account can be opened wherever in the world, but consideration should be taken in maintaining it in a suitable Country so as not to lose money in transferring it from place to place every other year when there is a new command.
10.1 AbudgetshallbepreparedannuallybytheITRforconsiderationandapprovalbytheExecutiveCommittee.
10.2 The Treasurer shall present the approved budget along with any interim balance sheet and income and expense statement to the AGM. The final balance sheet and income and expenditure account for each year shall be presented by the ITR to the EC for approval as soon as possible after the end of each accounting year (and in any event by no later than September the 30th) thereafter, to the next occurring AGM for approval.
10.3TheITRshallalsosubmitsuchreportstogetherwiththecostofmembership duesandanannualreportof activitiestotheGeneralSecretaryofRIbynolaterthanthe1stOctoberineachyear.
10.4IncomefromduesshallbeforIYFRoperatingexpensesbasedonthebudgetapprovedbytheExecutive Committee. The Executive Committee shall appoint an independent (from EC and IB) three Members Finance CommitteethatwillreviewtheaccountandreporttotheExecutiveCommittee.
10.5Theoperatingbudgetshallbebasedonlyoncurrent,predictableannualduesincome.
11.IYFR GRANTS.
AttheAGMtheInternational Commodore withtheagreementoftheEC,aftertheapprovaloftheannual account, shalladvisetheIYFRmembersoftheavailableamountoftheGrantPool;
11.1AlldecisionsoftheGrantsCommitteeshallbebymajorityvote.
11.2GrantApplicationsmustbemadethroughanapplicant’slocalFCommodoretotheChairoftheGC.
11.3Subjecttofunds being availablewithintherelevantallocatedAreaPool,theITRshallforthwithmakepayment ofanyGranttoa successfulapplicantassoonaspossible.
12.IYFR REGALIAANDUNIFORMS.
12.1IYFR marks and insigniaabideby the RotaryInternationalProceduresManual.Regalia,Uniforms,Member BurgeesandgoodboatingpracticeforIYFORIANSaredealtwithintheannextoIYFRProceduresandRegulationsnamed “IYFRFlags,Uniformsand boating”.
12.2EachAreawillmanageitsownRegalia,reportingboththestockandthefinancialsituationtotheInternationalTreasurer,onthelastdaysof DecemberandJune.
13.AMENDMENTOF IYFRGENERALRULES
13.1.Onlyintheyearbeforeeachchange ofadministration,aCouncilonLegislationshallbeestablished by the incoming IC. It shall comprise the Voting Panel (as defined in the Procedures and Regulations)theExecutiveCommittee,theincoming ChiefofStaffandtheAreaCommodores. ChairedbytheincomingIC,thisCouncilonLegislationshallconsidertheseRulesandmayproposeamendments and bringforward thosecomingfrom theFleets.Theproposedchanges shallbecirculated toalltheRegionalCommodores, whowilltranslatethem,ifnecessary,fortheirFleetCommodores, tobevotedaccordingtotheprocedures better describedinArt13.1GRAmendmentsandvotingproceduresintheDocument“ProceduresandRegulations”.
13.2.ToeventuallychangetheseGR,it isrequiredthe75%ofthevotescastinbytheCo L andbytheFleets.
13.3.Thedocument“Procedures andRegulations“attachedtotheseGR,canbeamendedatthesametimeofthe preceding Art13.1 butwillonlyrequirethesimplemajorityofthequalified quorumofthevotingpanelcomposed by theCouncilonLegislationandtheRegionalCommodores.
GLOSSARYAND MEANINGS:
“AC” Commodoreof Area 1,Area2 or Area 3
“AGM” AnnualGeneralMeetingof IYFR
“AM” Associate Member, similar to Honorary Member
“Area 1” Europe, theMiddleEast and Africa
“Area 2” The Americas
“Area 3” Asia,Australia andthe SouthPacific
“Area Grants Committee” In each Area a C- comprising3 people, allappointed by theirArea Representative onthe GrantsC-
“COP” RI Codeof Policiesfor Fellowships
“CPC” Collegeof Past Commodores
“EC”or“Executive Committee”Committeecomposed by theIC,theIVCandtheIRC
“EM” World E-Fleet Member.
“FC Commodoreof a Fleet
“Fleet” a Fleet charteredinaccordancewiththeGeneralRules
“GAAP” Generally AcceptedAccountingPrinciplesaspublishedfrom timetotime
“Grant Pool” The sum not exceedingtheamount heldinexcessof thelast 2 yearsof theIYFR’s expensesor
$30,000.00 (whichever isthelesser)
“Grants Committee” C. composed by theEC and anyother personappointedtoensurethateachArea has1 voting representative, plusa non - votingadministrator.
“HM” Honorary Member,
“IC” International Commodoreof IYFR.
“InternationalBridge” theIC,theIVC,the IRC togetherwiththegroupof Membersselectedfromtimetotime by the IC to perform therelevant functions
“IPIC” theImmediatePast InternationalCommodore.
“IRC” theInternational Rear Commodoreof IYFR
“ITR” theInternational Treasurerof IYFR
“IVC” theInternational ViceCommodoreof IYFR
“IYFR’s expenses” thecosts of administration, reimbursement, theAGM &ConventionandthenewFleet Charters.
“PIC” Past International Commodore
“RC” RegionCommodore
“FO” Fleet Officer (whose duties will be assigned by the FC)
“SC” Squadron Captain, Head of a Squadron
“SO” Squadron Officer (whose duties will be assigned by the SC)
“RI” Rotary International
TheCommitteeChairman,IVCJun Avecilla