4. Proposal re Revision of Leave of Absence for Medical Reasons

Proposal re Revision of Leave of Absence for Medical Reasons

PROPOSED ENACTMENT

To revise criteria for leave of absence as relates to medical reasons and to address the issue of attendance reporting as relates to the approved leave of absence for medical reasons.

Proposed by:

Rotary Club of Chehalis

Rotary Club of Centralia

IT IS ENACTED by Rotary International that the STANDARD ROTARY CLUB CONSTITUTION be and hereby are amended as follows (page 248 MOP) and the Standard Rotary Club Bylaws be and hereby are amended as follows (Page 262 MOP)

Standard Rotary Club Constitution

Article 9 Attendance

9.3 Excused Absences.  A member’s absence shall be excused if 

(a) The absence complies with the conditions and under circumstances approved by the board.  The board may excuse a member’s absence for reasons which it considers to be good and sufficient.  Such excused absences shall not extend for longer than twelve months.  However, if the leave is for a medical reason that extends for more than 12 months such leave may be renewed by the board for a period of time beyond the original 12 months.  Such leave for medical purposes shall not be counted as an absence for purposes of attendance records of the club.

Standard Rotary Club Bylaws:

Article 11

Upon written application to the board, setting forth good and sufficient cause, leave of absence may be granted excusing a member from attending the meetings of the club for no longer than twelve (12) months.  If the leave is for a medical reason that extends more than 12 months such leave may be renewed by the board for a period of time beyond the original 12 months.  Such leave for medical purposes shall not be counted as an absence for purposes of attendance records of the club.

Statement of Purpose and Effect:

Many long serving and worthy Rotarians may encounter a circumstance in their life where a medical condition occurs which is beyond their control.  Neither the Rotarian nor the club should be penalized for such circumstances.  The Rotary Club of Chehalis had a Pearl Harbor survivor who never missed a Rotary meeting unless he was ill.  When he reached the point in his life whereby he was no longer physically able to attend meetings, it seemed not reasonable to terminate his membership simply because his life continued beyond the 12 month leave period.  Furthermore it doesn’t seem reasonable that the club be penalized in their attendance records for providing that medical leave of absence.  We had a similar circumstance for a member who was waiting for a donor for a heart and lung transplant.  Both of the above examples were members who were dedicated to the Rotary cause and were productive contributing members of the club.