Rotary International Council on Legislation (COL) & Council on Resolutions (COR)
The COL is an important part of Rotary’s governance process. While the RI Board of Directors sets policies for Rotary International, the Council is where Rotary clubs have their say in the governance of the association. Every club and district is entitled to submit legislation to the Council. Every three years, representatives selected by their districts gather to consider proposals designed to move Rotary forward and adapt to the changing times. Clubs, districts, the RI Board, and the RIBI general council or conference may submit legislation and resolutions to the Councils.
The COL held its 2022 meeting in Chicago earlier this month. It affirmed the RI Policy on Clubs endeavouring to build a well-balanced membership that celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion.
It also resolved to make some additions to require the avenues Community Service and International Service to strive for “positive” peace. The best meaning of “positive peace” may be the supporting text for the resolution:
Positive peace is defined by Rotary’s partner, the Institute for Economics and Peace, as the attitudes, institutions, and structures that create and sustain peaceful societies, such as a sound business environment, equitable distribution of resources, free flow of information, high levels of human capital, acceptance the rights of others, and low levels of corruption. These same factors also lead to many other positive outcomes which society feels are important, creating the optimum environment for human potential to flourish. Defining peace in this way will permit objective measurement of community positive peace outcome using community created indices guided by the example of the Global Peace Index for countries.
Adding these clarifying words to the Avenues of Service will help Rotarians focus more effectively on really meaningful peace in our communities and in the world.
The changes directly relevant to Rotary Melbourne’s constitution will be presented for adoption at our AGM later this year.
There is also a Council on Resolutions (COR)
The COR meets online every year to vote on proposed resolutions and urgent enactments. Resolutions are requests to the Board or the Trustees to take an action that is outside the purview of the constitutional documents. The 2022 Council on Resolutions will take place in October 2022. Rotary must receive any proposed resolutions by 30 June 2022 through the online form here. Details on drafting and submitting resolutions can be found in How to Propose Resolutions. District assistance is available if any members wish to promote a resolution.
