Constitutional documents, Rotary Code of Policies,

Posted by Dan Steele

RI constitutional documents

The RI Constitution, RI Bylaws, and Standard Rotary Club Constitution provide the foundation for RI's policies and procedures and can be changed only by the Council on Legislation. The constitutional documents can be found in the Manual of Procedure .

Every club and district is entitled to propose amendments to constitutional documents by submitting legislation to the Council on Legislation. Some of Rotary's most important work results from Council actions. Find out how to propose legislation .

Rotary Code of Policies

The Rotary Code of Policies (PDF) is an important source of information for Rotary leaders. It contains all general and permanent policies of the RI Board, RI conventions, and the Council on Legislation.

Rotary Code of Policies supplements and revisions

Annual supplements to the Rotary Code of Policies are distributed to show changes in the code through the last Rotary fiscal year, which closes 30 June. The supplements are cumulative, covering the period from the adoption of the code (or its latest edition) to the end of the applicable fiscal year.

The code needs periodic revisions that incorporate the amendments into the body rather than cumulative annual supplements. The code is expected to be revised after each Council on Legislation, which occurs every three years.

Manual of Procedure

The Manual of Procedure (PDF) helps Rotary clubs and district leaders understand Rotary by providing concise, easy-to-understand descriptions of RI policies and procedures that are most relevant to their service.

The manual is a compilation of statements of policies and procedures adopted by conventions, the Council on Legislation, the RI Board of Directors, and the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation. It also includes t he RI constitutional documents and legal documents such as the Recommended Rotary Club Bylaws, Bylaws of The Rotary Foundation, and portions of the Articles of Incorporation of The Rotary Foundation.

The Manual of Procedure is published every three years. A copy is sent to each Rotary club and RI officer. If any questions arise about the meaning or interpretation of the manual, including the RI constitutional documents and other legal documents, the English-language version of these materials should serve as the official text.

Manual of Procedure sections

All sections are in PDF format.

Part One: Administration
The Rotary club, the district, Rotary International

Part Two: Program
General program of Rotary, Vocational Service, Community Service, International Service, New Generations

Part Three: International Meetings
Conventions, Council on Legislation, International Assemblies, Rotary institutes, other international meetings

Part Four: The Rotary Foundation
Organization and purpose, programs of The Rotary Foundation, fiscal matters, Foundation support, and donor recognition

Part Five: Rotary Marks
Rotary name and emblem

Part Six: Rules of Procedure
Rules of procedure for Council on Legislation and conventions

Part Seven: Constitutional Documents
Constitution of Rotary International, Bylaws of Rotary International, Standard Rotary Club Constitution

Part Eight: Other Legal Documents
Recommended Rotary Club Bylaws, Bylaws of The Rotary Foundation, Articles of Incorporation of The Rotary Foundation (partial)

Glossary of Key Rotary Terms

Standard Rotary Club Constitution

The RI Bylaws provide that each club admitted to RI membership must adopt the prescribed Standard Rotary Club Constitution .

Recommended Rotary Club Bylaws

The Recommended Rotary Club Bylaws (PDF) can be tailored by any club to suit its needs, provided that such changes are not out of harmony with the Standard Rotary Club Constitution, RI Constitution, RI Bylaws, or Rotary Code of Policies. If any doubt exists, the proposed changes should be submitted to the general secretary for consideration by the RI Board of Directors.

Club bylaws should be in harmony with the Standard Rotary Club Constitution. RI has provided Recommended Rotary Club Bylaws, which are recommended only and may be changed by any Rotary club to meet its own conditions, provided such changes are not out of harmony with the Standard Rotary Club Constitution and with the RI Constitution and RI Bylaws.