The Council on Legislation Comes to an End

15/04/2016 18:37Moment of silence for Japan

The council begins its final day, with a moment of silence for those affected by the 6.4 magnitude earthquake in Japan.

15/04/2016 18:55Interact age limit

Since students in some part of the world remain in high school beyond the maximum Interact age, proponents of a resolution just approved by the council are asking the Board to allow students in school-based Interact clubs to remain in Interact until they graduate, even if they have turned 18.

15/04/2016 19:03Rotaract age limit

A resolution to ask the Board to consider raising the maximum age of Rotaract from 30 to 35 fails. Similarly, a recommendation to set the maximum age at 25 also fails.

15/04/2016 19:18In a squeaker

A resolution asking the RI Board to consider adding the word "family" to the statement on opportunities for service passes by the narrowest of margins, a single vote.

15/04/2016 19:27Celebrate The Rotary Foundation Centennial

The council acknowledges The Rotary Foundation's centennial. Celebration of the centennial kicks off at the Korea Convention 28 May - 1 June. VisitRotary's websitefor more information about the centennial celebration and order your copy ofDoing Good In The World: The Inspiring Story of the Foundation's First 100 Years.

15/04/2016 19:39Language support

Interpreters have been hard at work all week, keeping the proceedings humming along smoothly in multiple languages. (Photo courtesy PDG Chris Offer)

15/04/2016 20:20Lights, camera, action

The council has passed along to the Board a request that a video message from the RI president by provided to all district conferences.

15/04/2016 21:03Feeling the love

The council gives the chair, bylaws committee, and all those involved in organizing the council a standing applause for their efforts at creating a smooth proceeding.

15/04/2016 21:19Vanity names revisited

In a first for this year's council, the council revisited a vote from earlier in the week on allowing vanity names for districts ( technically a motion to reconsider). This time, the proposal failed. But the hitch is, districts can already do this on their own. It essentially boiled down to whether the new measure would require the RI Board to act on each request, for something districts can already do on their own without explicit permission.

15/04/2016 21:48Finish line in sight

Only three resolutions to go.

15/04/2016 21:57One last resolution

One last item to go. And before handing the podium over to the Chair, Vice Chair Michael Webb of the Rotary Club of Mendip, Somerset, England, thanks the council.

15/04/2016 22:04And it's over!

"And that's a beautiful moment," W. Duane Benton, Council Chair, remarks as the last vote is taken. RI President Ravi Ravindran stands up for a point of order to congratulate the council, and calls them "the best."

15/04/2016 22:06Standing ovation

A standing ovation for the chair and vice chair.

15/04/2016 22:09Closing remarks

"The effects of your decisions will ripple to every corner of the world for years, decades, even centuries to come," RI President Ravi Ravindran.

15/04/2016 22:13Final bell

The final bell has been rung. the council is officially over. Remember to look for a wrap up story on Rotary.org coming soon.

15/04/2016 22:23One final council profile

RI Director Jennifer Jones took a moment to assess this year's council, moments after the closing bell. "I think this has been a historic council, probably one of the most progressive, evolutionary councils that we ever have seen. I think there was a sense of collegiality and a sense of doing what is right for the future of the organization"

Recaps of the previous days

11 APRIL 2016

The Council on Legislation approved on Monday two key measures that would give clubs greater flexibility in their meetings and membership. Both were backed by the RI Board of Directors and passed overwhelmingly after lively debate. The first measure gives clubs greater leeway in when and how often they meet, how often they cancel meetings, and what constitutes a meeting, as long as they meet at least twice a month. The second measure grants clubs flexibility to experiment with membership models. Proponents argued that clubs need the enhanced freedom in order to determine what works best in their communities, noting that "one size does not fit all."See the vote totals from Monday’s action.

12 APRIL 2016

Continuing yesterday's theme of flexibility, the Council on Legislation agreed on Tuesday to simplify the qualifications for membership in a Rotary club. The measure removes six membership criteria from the RI Constitution, replacing them with the simple requirement that a member be a person of good character who has a good reputation in their business or community and is willing to serve the community. Proponents argued that the change will give power back to clubs to "choose their own members without a checklist" and encourage membership growth. The Council also deferred until Thursday the consideration of proposals to create a new membership type, associate membership, and to allow Rotaractors to join a Rotary club, too.See Tuesday's vote totals.

13 APRIL 2016

Citing a need to provide programs and services that allow Rotary clubs to flourish, the Council on Legislation approved three $4 increases in the annual per capita dues that clubs pay to Rotary International. RI Treasurer Per Høyen, speaking in favor of the request, said, "Hearing that 9 out of 10 Rotarians have asked Rotary to provide more services, the Board does not want to decrease the services to the clubs and districts. Now is the time to invest in our future and make it possible to move forward and achieve a strong future for Rotary." The increase sets the dues at $60 in 2017-18, $64 in 2018-19, and $68 in 2019-20.See Wednesday's vote totals.

14 APRIL 2016

Council members Thursday approved the creation of a Council on Resolutions, a separate governing body that will meet online every year. It will propose resolutions to the RI Board, leaving the triennial Council on Legislation to deal exclusively with enactments, which change Rotary's governing documents. Proponents argued that the change could save up to $300,000 by shortening the Council on Legislation by a day. They also point out that the new Council would establish a channel of communication between clubs and the RI Board. Representatives also voted to allow Rotaractors to simultaneously be members of Rotary clubs.See Thursday's vote totals.