Manual of Procedure

USE AND PROTECTION OF THE ROTARY MARKS
(See RCP 11.040.6.) When Rotary Entities work with non-Rotary entities on projects,
the overall design of any promotional materials, including printed matter or
merchandise, should not use the emblems of the two organizations in combination.
It is best under such circumstances that the identity and duration of the project be
specified. The name of the participating Rotary Entity should be clearly expressed.
The RI Board guidelines governing these uses include specific requirements for
the use of the Rotary Marks by corporate sponsors and cooperating organizations.
(RCP 33.030.14.) Check the Rotary website or contact your Club and District
Support representative for the most current version of each of these guidelines.
Use of Rotary Marks by Other Groups or in Combination With Other Marks
The use of the word “Rotary” by any group other than provisional Rotary clubs in
a manner meant to indicate or imply status as a club or as an affiliate of a club or of
RI is not authorized. RI will take such steps as may be practicable or necessary to
stop any such unauthorized use of the word “Rotary” or other Rotary Marks. (RCP
33.040.9., 33.040.11.) In no instance may the Rotary emblem be displayed, used as
a lapel pin, or incorporated into any other design if it is not under the exclusive control
of the RI Board. (RCP 33.030.13., 33.040.11.)
Section 18.020. of the RI Bylaws provides: “The use of such name, emblem, badge,
or other insignia in combination with any other name or emblem is not recognized
by RI.” This rule does not apply to Rotary programs, nor does it apply in the cases
of corporate sponsorship, partnership, or cooperative relationships. (RIB 18.020.,
RCP 11.040.6., 33.030.14.)
Historically, many Rotary clubs have shown an interest in and have sponsored
different organizations, such as clubs for youth. Those that run clubs have
requested to use the Rotary emblem or other insignia to identify other groups and
their members as associated with Rotary. Rotarians are encouraged to assist and
encourage any group seeking to emulate the Rotary example. However, no matter
how worthy the purposes of the organization, RI does not permit such groups to use
the Rotary Marks. This position is not intended to discourage these organizations,
but it is believed that suitable names and insignia can be devised without infringing
on RI’s terminology and emblems. (RCP 33.030.13., 33.040.11.)
Email
Rotary Entities should take care to comply both with RI circularization and solicitation
policies in their use of email communications and with RI policy on the use
of the Rotary Marks, including by using proper identifying language of the Rotary
Entity to be represented. (RCP 11.030.1., 11.030.2., 11.030.3., 11.030.4., 11.030.5.,
11.030.6., 11.030.7., 33.030.6.)
INTERACT AND ROTARACT NAMES AND EMBLEMS
Use by Interact and Rotaract Clubs and Districts
When the Interact and Rotaract names and emblems (which are also Rotary
Marks) are used to represent a particular club, the name of that club should be used
close to and in equal prominence with the emblem. Similarly, where an Interact or
Rotaract district exists, it may use the respective emblem but only together with
a reference to the district number and/or name. (RCP 33.060.3., 41.010., 41.020.)
Current information about correct use of the Interact and Rotaract marks and
guidelines for maintaining a standardized, coordinated identity for all Interact and
Rotaract materials may be found at www.rotary.org.
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