The global meeting, held every three years, reviews the rules that affect the operations of Rotary International—and thus all of us. The districts of Finland and Estonia were represented by past governors Jaakko Panula (1385), Mikko Hörkkö (1390), Risto Suviala (1410), Sakari Karjalainen (1420), and Mikko Heikkilä (1430). (RI president Stephanie Urchik is also in the above image)
Key topics and decisions:
- Membership dues for RI were set for the next three years
- A new club can now be established with a minimum of 15 members
- Districts are no longer required to organize a district conference annually
- Administrative pilot projects can now be implemented more widely (previously only in RIBI, New Zealand, and Australia)
- PETS is now officially called PELS (President-elect Learning Seminar)
The meeting also sparked discussion around several topics:
- Mandatory subscription to The Rotary Magazine
- Possibility for Rotaract clubs to submit proposals to the Council
- Accuracy and relevance of the current Rotary zone structure
- Inclusion of political statements in Rotary activities
- Conditions for expelling members from RI or a rotary club
- Diversity and inclusion within Rotary
More details on all these issues are provided in the full report attached by our representatives.
The COL also acts as the highest appeals body in Rotary and addressed matters such as the election of officers and financial transparency. Four important changes related to the Council’s own functioning were also approved. Full details are available via the provided link.
The COL delegate of the district 1420 PDG Sakari Karjalainen
