How would this impact me and my club?
To help clubs and members spend more time on meaningful volunteering, the proposed pilot updates district-level positions to offer more skills-focused volunteer leadership roles, as well as governance updates to make those roles more accessible and centralise shared administration responsibilities currently shouldered by each district. Read on to learn how other considerations are being taken into account.
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How does this impact grants and District Designated Funds (DDF)?
Will our membership dues structure change? Will funding be needed to make this change?
Is a financial model being developed?
What are the cost-savings for clubs?
Will district conferences still exist?
How can Rotary members – Rotarians and Rotoractors – assist?
What does this mean for current and upcoming redistricting directives?
What are the feedback loops for the pilot? How will we know it is working or what needs to change?
How does this impact grants and District Designated Funds (DDF)?
The Rotary Foundation tracks where all money comes from and it is very easy to apply to a section for future use. Work will need to be done in this area and the aim will be to ensure better support is given to clubs to enhance their use of grants in projects and grow the impact of Rotary in their chosen areas of need.
Will our membership dues structure change? Will funding be needed to make this change?
We need to transition membership dues from the district to the region. Currently we don’t believe it will be more, rather less, but that will be a decision for the Regional Council. We recognise we will be running two models and if that causes extra costs, we expect RI will assist with those costs.
Is a financial model being developed?
Rotary International has many subcommittees looking at related issues and finance is one of these. We understand that running two systems in parallel will incur costs and put extra pressure on regional Rotary International staff at our South Pacific Regional Office in Sydney. Rotary International Evanston staff are looking at how they can provide additional assistance as well.
What are the cost-savings for clubs?
A Finance Committee has been established and is currently analysing costs. We believe that long term, this will be less costly for the organisation because we will have more certified volunteers and less staff to pay for.
Will district conferences still exist?
District conferences provide a lot of knowledge, motivation, and fellowship value. We will find ways to continue to provide this value in a contemporary environment in a more effective way. In some case there may be less frequent events with regular on-line training between major events.
How can Rotary members – Rotarians and Rotoractors – assist?
Rotarians and Rotaractors can provide valuable insight, ideas and register to get involved in our online survey, where you can also let us know how you’d like to participate.
We need everyone’s input and support to make this a success.
Click here to complete the survey and register your interest
What does this mean for current and upcoming redistricting directives?
A request has been made via the Rotary International Board and its Redistricting Committee for affected districts to have the option of pausing the need to redistrict should the pilot proceed.
What are the feedback loops for the pilot? How will we know it is working or what needs to change?
Key performance indicators and measures to determine success have yet to be developed but will form an important part of the transition and the monitoring process by the Regional Council in conjunction with DGs in their advisory role. These indicators will be used to confirm the efficacy of changes and prompt further adaptation as needed in alignment with RI and SRF as the pilot progresses.
Who will have the ultimate decision-making responsibility: Regional Council or Rotary International Board?
Similar to a current district as an incorporated body, the Regional Council will make local decisions in line with an established constitution and bylaws in accordance with local laws, and approved by Rotary International. The Governor Trains will be involved in exploring and developing this.
Districts and District Charitable Trusts are legal entities/ incorporated societies. Is there a group looking at legal and financial implications of change?
Districts, as legal entities, will continue along with established District Charitable Trusts. A Governance Group is part of the pilot and will examine this aspect and provide recommendations for the longer term.
