Rotary International empowers Rotarians (i) to suggest the rules of Rotary to the Council on Legislation (COL) and (ii) to suggest to the Council on Resolutions (COR) proposed Resolutions relating to actions to be taken by the RI Board or The Rotary Foundation Trustees.
This means that the terms of Rotary International’s Constitution, its Bylaws or the Standard Rotary Club Constitution can come from Rotarians as proposed Enactments to the COL. Further, Rotarians may suggest a policy change as a Resolution to the COR that would require actions to be taken by the Board or the Trustees.
How does a Rotarian propose an Enactment?
Enactments should address structure, not policy, process or procedures. Proposed Enactments are drafted by reference to the constitutional documents sought to be changed using legislative slash marks (for deleted words) and underlines (for words to be added). The Rotarian acts through that Rotarian’s Club or District. An Enactment approved by Club vote must also be approved by the related District at the conference or other agreed upon legislative meeting, or through Club ballot before it can be submitted. Endorsements are required to be submitted by December 31 two years ahead of the COL meeting with a purpose and effect section. The proposed enactments were submitted by December 31, 2023 for the COL to be convened April 14-17, 2025. Learn more at https://my.rotary.org/en/learning-reference/about-rotary/councils.
How does a Rotarian propose a Resolution?
Proposed Resolutions should address the Rotary world, rather than its Constitutional Documents, and request the RI Board or Foundation Trustees to take action. Proposed Resolutions are drafted in two parts: (i) a preamble of supporting information which argues for the resolution and (ii) the action itself, including that the proposer wants the Board or Trustees to take the action. The best proposals include the proposed action to be adopted by the Board or Trustees. The Rotarian drafts a proposed Resolution for adoption first by the Rotarian’s Club, then the related District. After the District Action, the proposer attaches the Club endorsement and causes the District Governor to supply the DG Endorsement.
It must be submitted by June 30, 2025 for consideration at the COR scheduled for October 2025. The COR votes annually on proposed Resolutions submitted annually on this schedule. Proposed resolutions should be submitted within 45 days of DG Endorsement. The proposer submits to the committee for review of defects. If deemed defective, the proposer may submit it for a later Council on Resolutions. If the Committee submits the proposed Resolution to the Committee on Resolutions, a positive vote sends it to the Board or Trustees. Learn more: How to Propose Resolutions.
PDG Bob Hobaugh serves as our District 7430 Representative to the Council on Legislation and Council on Resolutions. He and all other Representatives vote on proposed Enactments and proposed Resolutions. You can reach Bob at RotarianBob@hometownu.biz.