2025 Council on Legislation - Report of Action

Submitted by District 6270 Governor, Pete Bosch on 5/12/2025
 
Think of the Council on Legislation (CoL) as Rotary International’s version of a parliament or congress. Every three years, representatives from every Rotary district around the world come together to review and vote on changes to Rotary’s governing rules—things like how clubs operate, how leaders are chosen, and how dues are set.
 
The CoL just completed one of its three-year cycles, and below are the findings of greatest interest to clubs and Rotarians. After the Council on Legislation meets, any adopted changes take effect on 1 July 2025, unless otherwise specified. Clubs that disagree with an adopted item may file an Opposition to Legislation form by 15 July 2025. If enough clubs respond—representing at least 5% of eligible club votes worldwide—the legislation is suspended, and a global vote is held. Based on that vote, the item is either nullified or reinstated.
 
After the Council on Legislation meets, any adopted changes take effect on 1 July 2025, unless otherwise specified. Clubs that disagree
with an adopted item may file an Opposition to Legislation form by 15 July 2025. If enough clubs respond—representing at least 5% of eligible club votes worldwide—the legislation is suspended, and a global vote is held. Based on that vote, the item is either nullified or reinstated.

Key Decisions Affecting Clubs and Rotarians

Membership and Club Formation
  • Chartering New Clubs: The minimum number of members required to charter a Rotary or Rotaract club was reduced from 20 to 15. This change aims to remove barriers to club formation and support growth.
  • Diversity and Inclusion: Clubs may not limit membership based on sex, gender, race, creed, national origin, or sexual orientation. This provision strengthens Rotary’s commitment to DEI principles.
Financial Changes
  • RI Dues Increase (Semi-Annual)* : Rotary International per capita dues will increase incrementally to:
    • $41.00 in 2025–26,
    • $42.75 in 2026–27,
    • $44.63 in 2027–28,
    • $46.50 in 2028–29.
  • Accountability Measures: RI must now provide updates on process improvements and cost reductions in its five-year financial forecasts, though a motion to require itemized annual reports was rejected.
Governance and Leadership
  • District Conferences Optional: Holding a district conference is now optional, though PETS, training, and business meetings remain mandatory.
  • Uniform Officer Removal: A new standardized process exists for removing officers and committee members "for cause." Appeals are allowed and overseen by a committee—not just the RI President.
  • Appeals Process Tightened: Clubs or individuals must exhaust internal Rotary appeal processes before pursuing legal action. Failing to do so may forfeit the right to appeal.
  • COL Representative Timeline Shifted: Election of Council reps is now required one year earlier, ensuring better training and orientation for new delegates.
Voting and Representation
  • Voting at District Meetings: All attending Rotarians may now vote on most matters at District Conferences or business meetings—except for specific items (like electing DGNs, COL reps, and levy amounts), which remain restricted to club-designated electors.
  • Challenging Leadership Selections: Requirements to challenge RI President, Director, or DG selections have been made more stringent, requiring broader district concurrence.
Structural and Regional Adjustments
  • Zones: RI can now consider culture and language, not just membership numbers, when realigning zones.
  • Governance Pilots Expanded: The Board has greater authority to test new district governance models beyond existing pilots in RIBI, New Zealand, and Australia.
 
*5/13/2025 - Correction: "RI Dues Increase" to "RI Dues Increase (Semi-Annual)", adding semi-annual clarification.