Options for New Clubs
.
Information on Satellite Clubs, Innovative and Flexible Clubs, Eclubs
Non-Traditional Clubs:- Options for New Clubs
Satellite Clubs, Innovative and Flexible
Clubs and E-clubs
Rotary Growth Opportunities (Rotary GO) offer opportunities to form new types of clubs, Satellite, Innovative and Flexible and E-clubs.
Information on each of these types of club is given below. You can also download information from the Resources section.
If there is interest in your area for setting up another Rotary club, there is a team ready and able to assist you every step of the way, starting with your district governor and district extension (new clubs formation) officer.
To contact Iain, you can click on the link at the bottom of this page.
Guidance Notes on Satellite Clubs
What’s the purpose of the new Satellite Club policy established through the 2013 CoL enactment?
The new Satellite Club policy provides a new way to create Rotary clubs. A Satellite Club functions as a short-term, transitional step on the path to becoming a full, independent Rotary Club although it may simply continue as a satellite of the main club.
How does a club apply to have a Satellite Club?
An application is sent to Club and District Support Rotary GB&I (further information will be available soon) by the sponsor club president.
Is there a minimum or maximum number of members of a Satellite Club?
There is no minimum number needed to start a Satellite Club. However, there will need to be sufficient members to form a Council. There is no maximum number of members.
How are Satellite clubs named?
Satellite clubs are named: Rotary Satellite Club of [Sponsor Club Name] [Additional Qualifier], State/Province, Country. Example: Rotary Satellite Club of Bangkok North Evening, Thailand.
If the sponsor club is terminated, does the Satellite Club need to close as well?
Yes, Satellite Clubs are terminated with the sponsor club.
Can Satellite Clubs create a separate Council with a different set of officers than the sponsor club?
Satellite Clubs set up their own Council and have their own officers. However, instead of a president, a Satellite Club has a chair.
If there are two Councils, how are any disagreements handled?
The Council of the sponsor club has the final authority when there are disagreements.
Does the leadership of the Satellite Club have a position on the Council of the main club?
This is not required, but is highly recommended.
Are Satellite Club members Rotarians?
Yes, they are Rotarians and members of the sponsor club.
Do Satellite Club members pay Rotary GB&I dues?
Yes, they are Rotarians and so pay the same Rotary dues as other Rotarians.
Can a Satellite Club have a separate dues structure and bylaws?
Yes. The Satellite Club determines its dues structure and bylaws in collaboration with its sponsor club.
Who decides on the Satellite Club’s meeting place and time?
The Satellite Club.
Will the Satellite Club need to set goals as well? Will they be able to use Rotary Club Central for this purpose?
All clubs, including Satellite Clubs, are strongly encouraged to set goals to achieve success. Rotary Club Central cannot accommodate Satellite Club goals at this time.
Does someone who has only served as the chair (president) of a Satellite Club meet the qualifications for a DGN?
No, but the district can ask the Rotary International President to waive this requirement.
If an existing weak club becomes a Satellite Club, what are the criteria to revert back to autonomous club status?
Satellite Clubs are considered to be a new way to start a Rotary Club. It may be possible for a weak club to become a Satellite Club for a period but please discuss this with the relevant member of the Rotary GB&I MDR Team.
How does a Satellite Club apply to become a new, independent club?
The Satellite Club works with the sponsor club and district governor to complete the application for a new formation. Where a club is formed from a Satellite Club a survey is not required.
How long can a Satellite Club exist?
Satellite Clubs are intended as a temporary step on the way to becoming a full, independent Rotary club. However, there is no time limit on these clubs.
Could Rotaract Clubs be converted into Satellite Clubs as a transition to becoming a full Rotary Club?
Some or all of the members of a Rotaract Club may form or join a Satellite Club.
Guidance Note on Rotary GB&I
Innovative and Flexible Club
Pilot Programme
What is the purpose of the Innovative and Flexible Club Pilot Programme?
The Rotary GB&I Innovative and Flexible Club Pilot Programme focuses on clubs’ ability to self determine their operations to fit better with the needs of their members and the community.
What sort of things could we do?
The club could try out different meeting logistics (time, day, frequency, location, online, use of social media, club event or social activity, and so on)
How does this fit in with The Rotary GB&I Standard Constitution and Bylaws?
Clubs are authorised to make changes to the Standard Rotary GB&I Club Constitution and their By-laws in any area other than the Rotary GB&I/RI membership dues requirements.
Did CoL 2013 decisions make Rotary more flexible?
Many people need flexibility to become or remain involved with a Rotary Club. Following CoL 2013 more flexibility was given to attendance requirements so that members may now use service as part of the attendance requirements. However, members also like to keep in touch and instead of/as well as conventional meetings members can communicate through social media.
If a ‘traditional’ club is working well but not attracting new members what could they do?
Because people may now have tighter working hours those clubs which meet at lunch time may find it difficult to attract new members. The club could consider ‘additional meetings’ at time which is more attractive to working members. For example, in the evenings with or without a meal.
Could we have more than one meeting time in other circumstances?
Yes, it is for the club to decide how and when they wish to meet. It is perfectly acceptable to have more than one meeting time or location.
If clubs have more than one meeting time and location could one group split and form its own club?
The idea of a Satellite Club fits this situation. A Guidance Note is available separately. Generally, a Satellite Club will become a club on its own once it has gained 20 members whereas additional meetings will not be used to form a new club.
What is the difference between a Satellite Club and a Satellite Meeting?
At the start of the pilot these terms were used interchangeably. CoL 2013 approved the use of Satellite Clubs as a method of forming new clubs. To avoid confusion where a club runs meetings in addition to the regular weekly meeting these are probably best referred to as ‘additional meetings’.
Can we change membership qualifications and requirements?
Decisions at CoL 2013 also widened the membership qualifications as contained in Article 7 of the Rotary GB&I Club Constitution. However, it is up to the club to interpret the membership qualifications laterally and/or create relevant membership qualifications to meet the needs of the community.
E-CLUBS
E-Clubs – meetings are online and provide a valuable alternative to the standard Rotary club. Members of an E-club could be drawn from anywhere in the world and meet solely on line although there may be occasional face-to-face meetings between members.
Hybrid E-Club – The Hybrid E-Club has a lot of potential as it will cater for the busy person who does not have time to spend at weekly meetings but wishes to help others. Typically, the hybrid club has a membership, which is drawn from within a fairly limited geographical area close enough for members to meet say, once a month face-to-face and online in between times. This type of club would be ideal for the busy person who cannot spare the time to physically attend regular Rotary meetings and it would also cut down on the cost of being a Rotarian.
There are always people who are looking to join Rotary if only they were asked. If they are too busy to join your club or cannot make your meeting times, suggest they consider helping to start a new club where they can influence the way it is run and how it meets.
