REGIONALISATION UPDATE, September 2022:
Guiding Principles:
- We are driving this change to suit Zone 8, with the RI Board and Council on Legislation supporting our efforts. The RI board has an appetite to see parts of the world experiment and innovate with Rotary's current governance model which has remained unchanged for a century. Given how much the world has changed over that time, there is a lot we can all learn from trying different things. We have been given the support to be innovative. We are shaping our own future -what we get in the end will be what we have created.
- Our international organisation is still integral to our identity. Our Rotary values, Purpose and the Four Way Test must remain central to decisions made.
- We aim to create opportunities for doing things differently but recognise there are also risks we need to address.
- Consultation and feedback are integral to the development of a new model of governance.
- Governors are still in control during the pilot.
- Democracy and representation will be core to the selection and makeup of the Regional Council.
- Clubs are central to what we are seeking to achieve.
- We want to support regional and national collaboration.
- We want to create efficiencies and make roles easier to do.
- We are seeking to provide more support to clubs to enable them to innovate and grow.
- We aim to ensure access for clubs to our experts and provide leadership opportunities for those with expertise
- We have flexibility to adapt as we develop the new governance arrangements.
- We will only do this if it saves money but at present, we can’t draw a direct line.
- We do not anticipate cost increases to members.
Roles:
Rotaract representative -
- Develop cost estimates and funding sources for implementation of Transition Regional Council (TRC)
- Implement the nomination & selection process for Transition Regional Council members
- Organise Regional Council members training
- Arrange piloting of 10-12 Rotary community leader roles in selected Districts or Communities
- Organise training for Rotary Community Leaders
- Implement support structures for commencement of Year 1
- Identify technology support needed for Year 1 for all roles
- Identify required communications for implementation
At the end of 3-year pilot.
Regionalisation Vote Date is now 15th of September.
- If a club does not vote, then it will be counted as a No vote.
- •The club’s vote will be by electronic ballot, managed by the Rotary International South Pacific and Philippines Office.
- •The club president will receive an email on the 15th of September enabling them to vote on their club’s behalf from vote@simplyvoting.com
- •The club president shall cast the vote in accordance with the members decision and then confirm having done so back to the members.
- •The President will cast the digital vote on a smartphone or computer, through email access.
- •Each club will have one vote.
Download The latest version of the Regionalisation Toolkit
You can download a PDF version of this update or contact D9620 Regionalisation District Representative PDG Chris Wright using the buttons below
A team has been working for some time to establish a pilot to support our clubs to explore, develop and test a new model of governing and operating. The Rotary International Board has agreed to support our efforts, and this support is subject to our clubs voting to participate in this pilot.
The details of the vote are contained in the Vote Fact Sheet.
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Why are we having a vote?
Our region, or Zone 8, which includes Australia, New Zealand, and several Pacific and other Islands, has been approved by the Rotary International Board to be one of two regions to pilot a regional approach to governance.
For the past three years a group of Rotarians and Rotaractors have been working on a pilot project to consider how we can enhance Rotary and Rotaract and ensure we remain relevant for the future, while also addressing some of the challenges we have been facing for a while.
As part of the Board’s approval, the project can only proceed with the support of members and clubs, to be shown through a vote of Rotary clubs. We are clarifying the vote for Rotaract clubs.
What is the vote for?
In September 2022, the clubs and districts in our zone will be asked to vote whether they approve participation in a pilot to explore, develop and test new ways of Rotary operating in our countries and zone. A Yes vote would enable the pilot to develop a framework and pilot it, in full consultation with members, clubs, and districts. It should be noted that the aim of the pilot is to support the core work of Rotary and Rotaract clubs and their members, not to change things within clubs.
How will the vote work?
The vote will be by electronic ballot, managed by the Rotary International South Pacific and Philippines Office in Sydney. This will be a secret ballot, held over a period of time in September and Clubs will be advised 15 days prior to the ballot opening.
Every club will have one vote. Club Presidents will receive an email to eVote and it will be up to clubs to decide how they come to their voting position.
The process will be that two thirds of clubs in a district are required to vote Yes for the pilot to proceed. Clubs vote first then each District Governor will vote. As District Governors are the officers of Rotary International and will play an important leadership and advisory role during the pilot, their vote is an indication of their commitment. All Districts in Zone 8 will need to achieve the two thirds majority of clubs for a Regional Pilot to proceed.
How can you prepare for the vote?
From early June 2022, extensive club communication is scheduled to commence. This is an ideal time for 2022 – 23 Presidents to ensure their email addresses are up to date.
Every club will have the opportunity to have a representative of the pilot from their district come and speak to them, either in person or via zoom. There will also be online meetings held in July and August, open to all Rotarians in the zone, held at different times.
The website has further information, and the opportunity for you to send your questions to the pilot planning group. Visit creatingtomorrowrotary.org
Download Regionalisation Fact Sheet
Download PDG Chris Wright's Presentation on Regionalisation from the District Training Assembly