Most Rotarians don’t realize that all changes to Rotary International’s Constitution and Bylaws originate with individual members. Everyone has the ability to propose changes through the Council on Legislation.
The Council actually has two functions:
1. To review and either approve or disapprove of changes to Rotary’s organizational documents. These proposed changes are called “Enactments.”
2. To approve or disapprove of requests to the Rotary International Board or to
1. To review and either approve or disapprove of changes to Rotary’s organizational documents. These proposed changes are called “Enactments.”
2. To approve or disapprove of requests to the Rotary International Board or to
Foundation Trustees to take an action that falls outside the scope of the organization’s constitutional documents. These requests are called “Resolutions.”
Both Enactments and Resolutions originate with individual Rotary members that feel some change is necessary. Those potential Enactments and Resolutions go through a process that starts with the Rotarian’s Club, then their District, then to the Rotary Council on Legislation, which is composed of a representative from each Rotary District.
Enactments are reviewed by the entire Council on Legislation at the triennial Council meeting in Chicago and are either denied, referred back for additional review, or approved. Resolutions are reviewed on an annual basis and are approved or denied.
This year’s Resolution process has just ended and the Council has issued it’s Report of Action. This report shows the nine approved Resolutions. Seven were recommendations to the Rotary International Board and two were recommendations to the Rotary Foundation Trustees.
If you would like additional information about the Council on Legislation, you can reach out to our Council Representative for the 2023-2025 Council Cycle, Gary Bren (gary.bren@rotarydistrict5650.org).
Voting results for all 2025 resolutions can be found on My Rotary