Rotary Begins New Year July 1

Posted by Philip Murphy 
on Jul 7, 2013
 

For three years, 100 districts have been testing Future Vision, a pilot of The Rotary Foundation’s new grant system, which was designed to increase Rotary’s effectiveness during the next century of service.

As the new Rotary year dawns, the future has begun. All districts begin using the simplified grant structure 1 July. Districts have already been completing the qualification process and qualifying their clubs. A number of clubs and districts have begun preparing and submitting grant applications.

There will be three types of grants: global, district, and packaged. You can learn about all three types, and get more details about the application process, on Rotary’s grant microsite .

Also on 1 July, new leaders will take office at the club, district, and international levels.

Ron D. Burton, of the Rotary Club of Norman, Oklahoma, USA, will become Rotary’s 103rd president and will encourage Rotarians to Engage Rotary, Change Lives . Read a profile of Burton from The Rotarian and download his convention speech.

Anne L. Matthews, a member of the Rotary Club of Columbia East, South Carolina, USA, will become the first woman to serve as vice president. Matthews, a former director of South Carolina’s Department of Education, is president of Matthews and Associates, an educational consulting firm.

Julie Phares begins year as District 5440's District Governor.

 

Other changes for 2013-14:

  • Rotarians will be allowed to form satellite clubs, whose members meet at a different time and location from their parent clubs. The change, approved by the Council on Legislation in April, is intended to make it easier for members to develop the core for a new club.
  • Districts will be able to form an unlimited number of e-clubs. The Council removed a limit of two e-clubs per district. The change is designed to bring in new members and appeal to young professionals, who may be less able to meet in person weekly.
  • The name of Rotary’s fifth Avenue of Service will change from “New Generations Service” to “Youth Service.” This change was also approved by the Council. In 2010, this avenue of service joined Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, and International Service.
  • The dues Rotary clubs pay Rotary International will increase US$1 to $53 per member.
  • A redesigned Rotary website will be launched in late summer.