5. Proposal re reduction of time/cost required for changes to RI Legislation

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

PURPOSE: To substantially reduce the time required for and cost of making

changes to Rotary International legislation

PROPOSED BY: the Rotary Club of Nanaimo North

ENDORSED BY: District 5020 by e-mail balloting

WHEREAS the Council on Legislation currently meets in person once every

three years to consider both enactments and proposed resolutions;

AND WHEREAS the current cost of operating the Council on Legislation is

approximately $1,200,000 per year;

AND WHEREAS the challenges faced by the Rotary International in both

retaining and recruiting members require legislative changes be made at a

quicker pace consistent with other international organizations;

IT IS RESOLVED that the Rotary International Board of Directors consider

establishing a committee to recommend changes to the current system for

considering legislative change in order to substantially reduce the time required

to consider proposed changes to legislation and to substantially reduce the cost

of the process, with the report of such committee to be presented for

consideration within 18 months of formation.

PURPOSE AND EFFECT STATEMENT:

The rate of change in organizations worldwide continues to accelerate. In order

to remain competitive and lead in their areas of expertise, organizations are

changing the way they make decisions in order to ensure that their product or

service meets the changing needs of their customers. Rotary is no different. We

must change in response to the needs of our current members and to adjust our

organization so that it is appealing to new members- particularly younger ones.

The current process for legislative reform in Rotary is too slow and does not

reflect the reality of today's world. In addition, at $1.00 per worldwide member

per year, it is too expensive. We suggest that the committee consider the

following:

• Prospective new, young members seek flexible organizations which

can react to change in a timely fashion

• communication which preclude the need for an international face to

face meeting, allow for faster decision making and substantially

reduce costs

• Eliminating the need for Council of Legislation worldwide delegates

to travel to a central location will substantially reduce Rotary's

carbon footprint

• The process could be made more transparent allowing Rotarians to

monitor the progress of proposed changes

We believe the effect of implementing a faster, more economical and more

transparent system for legislative change will help both existing and prospective

member perceive Rotary International as an increasingly progressive

organization striving to meet their needs. This perception will lead to improved

member retention and recruitment.

Proposed November 2011 by:

The Rotary Club of Nanaimo North