Constitutional documents, Rotary Code of Policies, and the Manual of Procedure
RI constitutional documents
The RI Constitution, RI Bylaws, and Standard Rotary Club Constitution provide the foundation for RI’s policies and procedures and can be changed only by the Council on Legislation. The constitutional documents can be found in the Manual of Procedure.
Every club and district is entitled to propose amendments to constitutional documents by submitting legislation to the Council on Legislation. Some of Rotary’s most important work results from Council actions. Find out how to propose legislation.
Rotary Code of Policies
The Rotary Code of Policies (PDF) is a comprehensive document containing all the general and permanent policies of the organization. The code was created to be a practical and helpful document for members of the RI Board and other Rotary leaders to use for information about current policies.
A revised version of the code is made available after each meeting of the RI Board and the Council on Legislation.
The general and permanent policies of The Rotary Foundation are in a separate volume of the Rotary Code of Policies known as The Rotary Foundation Code of Policies (PDF) and The Rotary Foundation Code of Policies - Future Vision version (PDF).
Manual of Procedure
The Manual of Procedure
(PDF) helps Rotary clubs and district leaders understand Rotary by providing concise, easy-to-understand descriptions of RI policies and procedures that are most relevant to their service.
The manual is a compilation of statements of policies and procedures adopted by conventions, the Council on Legislation, the RI Board of Directors, and the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation. It also includes t he RI constitutional documents and legal documents such as the Recommended Rotary Club Bylaws, Bylaws of The Rotary Foundation, and portions of the Articles of Incorporation of The Rotary Foundation.
The Manual of Procedure
is published every three years. A copy is sent to each Rotary club and RI officer. If any questions arise about the meaning or interpretation of the manual, including the RI constitutional documents and other legal documents, the English-language version of these materials should serve as the official text.
Manual of Procedure sections
All sections are in PDF format.
Part One: Administration
The Rotary club, the district, Rotary International, The Rotary Foundation, use and protection of Rotary Marks
Part Two: Program
General program of RI, Vocational Service, Community Service, International Service, New Generations Service, The Rotary Foundation
Part Three: International Meetings
RI Convention, Council on Legislation, International Assembly, other international meetings
Part Four: Constitutional Documents
Constitution of Rotary International, Bylaws of Rotary International, Standard Rotary Club Constitution
Part Five: Other Legal Documents
Recommended Rotary Club Bylaws, Bylaws of The Rotary Foundation, Articles of Incorporation of The Rotary Foundation (partial)
Glossary of Key Rotary Terms
Standard Rotary Club Constitution
The RI Bylaws provide that each club admitted to RI membership must adopt the prescribed Standard Rotary Club Constitution.
Recommended Rotary Club Bylaws
The Recommended Rotary Club Bylaws (PDF) can be tailored by any club to suit its needs, provided that such changes are not out of harmony with the Standard Rotary Club Constitution, RI Constitution, RI Bylaws, or Rotary Code of Policies. If any doubt exists, the proposed changes should be submitted to the general secretary for consideration by the RI Board of Directors.
Club bylaws should be in harmony with the Standard Rotary Club Constitution. RI has provided Recommended Rotary Club Bylaws, which are recommended only and may be changed by any Rotary club to meet its own conditions, provided such changes are not out of harmony with the Standard Rotary Club Constitution and with the RI Constitution and RI Bylaws.
Recommended Rotary Club Bylaws (Word)