Rotary International Councils on Legislation and ResolutionsAs part of last year’s District 5495 Conference, an election was held to select the Primary and Alternate Representatives to the RI Council on Legislation. PDGs John Pennypacker and Duce Minor were elected as the Primary and Alternate representatives.
There are two main differences between the COL and COR. The COL meets every 3 years, the last being in April 2019 and the next is scheduled for April 2022. Proposed Enactments for the next COL are due into RI by the end of December 2020. These Enactments are proposed changes to the RI Constitution or By-laws.
The Council on Resolutions is an on-line voting event each year during this 3-year span. Proposals submitted to the COR are opinions or suggestions that, if approved by the COR voting body, are then forwarded to the RI Board and/or the TRF Board for their consideration. This year for the first time, comments can be entered for each of the items on the COR slate. Each primary representative from the over 500 districts around the world was allowed to enter 3 comments and these comments could be reviewed by all representatives prior to casting their vote. The voting on these items is a simple YES / NO or no vote. The voting period for the COR is October 15 through November 15, with the results to be published on November 20.
This year’s COR has 31 items to include 1 “urgent” enactment. This has the effect of reversing an enactment passed at the COL last April. There are 21 comments on this item alone.
It is always interesting to read the items in detail, and now with comments, to see how they reflect the thinking of Rotarians from many foreign countries. Some of the comments were helpful in making the final determination on the vote.
Of interest were the number of proposed items recommending changes to the 4-Way Test. Other items addressed Rotaract and younger persons, changes to Areas of Focus to include adding Seniors and dependent persons to a specific AOF. There are items recommending RI define “Positive Peace”. COVID had a few suggestions on how RI could provide support. There was also an interesting suggestion for the Board to consider term limits for the General Secretary.
These 31 items can be viewed on the RI website. If you have any questions, I will be happy to discuss any item and why the vote was cast as YES or NO.
PDG John Pennypacker
COL Primary Representative