Manual of Procedure

MANUAL OF PROCEDURE 2013
Responsibilities
The responsibilities of representatives are to
1) Help clubs prepare their proposals for the Council
2) Discuss proposed legislation at the district conference or other meetings
3) Understand the different perspectives of Rotarians within the district
4) Critically consider all legislation proposed to the Council and communicate
those views to the Council effectively
5) Act as an objective legislator of RI
6) Attend the entire meeting of the Council
7) Report the Council’s debates and actions to the clubs of the district after the
Council meeting
8) Be accessible to clubs in the district to assist in their preparation of proposals
for future councils (RIB 8.030.)
Nonvoting Members
The Council also has the following nonvoting members:
• Chair, vice chair, and parliamentarian (appointed by the president holding
office in Council year)
• RI Constitution and Bylaws Committee
• Members at large (appointed by the president; as many as three)
• RI president, president-elect, other RI Board members, general secretary, a
Rotary Foundation trustee (elected by the Trustees), and past RI presidents
(RIB 8.010.4., 8.010.5., 8.010.6.)
• Secretary (the RI general secretary unless another person is appointed)
The chair presides over the Council, assisted by a vice chair and a parliamentarian.
In the case of a tie vote, either the chair or the vice chair, when presiding, may
cast the deciding vote. (RIB 8.010.2.)
The members of the RI Constitution and Bylaws Committee review and approve
purpose and effect statements for all legislation before publication. During the
Council, they will also be prepared to answer questions regarding the background
and effect of legislation and any defects in it. The committee members also serve
on the Council Operations Committee (see Procedures below). (RIB 8.010.3.,
8.130.)
The president may appoint as many as three members at large, who serve under
the direction of the chair. They facilitate consideration of legislation and also provide
comments about items of legislation that have not been adequately covered in
debate. (RIB 8.010.7., 8.100.)
The general secretary serves as secretary of the Council or, with the president’s
approval, appoints another person to serve as secretary. (RIB 8.040.4.)
TYPES OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION
Legislation may be proposed by a club, a district conference, the RI Board, the
Council, or the RIBI General Council or the RIBI Conference. (RIB 7.020.)
Proposed legislation is submitted in the form of enactments or resolutions. (RIB
7.010.) For recent examples of enactments and resolutions, see the 2013 Council on
Legislation Report of Action.
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