*Constitution of the Rotary Club of TRIPOLI
Article I Definitions
As used in this constitution, unless the context otherwise clearly requires, the words in
this article shall have the following meanings:
1. Board: The Board of Directors of this club.
2. Bylaws: The bylaws of this club.
3. Director: A member of this club’s Board of Directors.
4. Member: A member, other than an honorary member, of this club.
5. RI: Rotary International.
6. Year: The twelve-month period which begins on 1 July.
Article II Name
The name of this organization shall be the Rotary Club of TRIPOLI
(Member of Rotary International)
Article III Locality of the Club Tripoli-Lebanon
The locality of this club is as follows:
Article IV Object
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy
enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
First. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
Second. High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the
worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as
an opportunity to serve society;
Third. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business and
community life;
Fourth. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a
world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
Article V Meetings
Section 1 — Regular Meetings.
(a) Day and Time. This club shall hold a regular meeting once each week on the day
and at the time provided in the bylaws.
(b) Change of Meeting. For good cause, the board may change a regular meeting to
any day during the period commencing with the day following the preceding
*
The bylaws of Rotary International provide that each club admitted to membership in RI shall
adopt this prescribed standard club constitution.
regular meeting and ending with the day preceding the next regular meeting, or to
a different hour of the regular day, or to a different place.
(c) Cancellation. The board may cancel a regular meeting if it falls on a legal holiday
or in case of the death of a club member, or of an epidemic or of a disaster
affecting the whole community, or of an armed conflict in the community which
endangers the lives of the club members. The board may cancel not more than four
regular meetings in a year for causes not otherwise specified herein provided that
this club does not fail to meet for more than three consecutive meetings.
Section 2 — Annual Meeting. An annual meeting for the election of officers shall be held
not later than 31 December as provided in the bylaws.
Article VI Membership
Section 1 — General Qualifications. This club shall be composed of adult persons of
good character and good business and professional reputation.
Section 2 — Kinds. This club shall have two kinds of membership, namely: active and
honorary.
**Interim Provision Relating to Section 2 ---Notwithstanding the provisions of article VI,
section 2, no one who was a member of a Rotary club as of 1 July 2001 shall lose
membership by reason of enactment 01-148 adopted by the 2001 Council on Legislation.
Section 3 — Active Membership. A person possessing the qualifications set forth in
article V, section 2 of the RI constitution may be elected to active membership in this
club.
Section 4 — Transferring or Former Rotarian. A member may propose to active
membership a transferring member or former member of a club, if the proposed
member is terminating or has terminated such membership in the former club due to
no longer being engaged in the formerly assigned classification of business or
profession within the locality of the former club or the surrounding area. The
transferring or former member of a club being proposed to active membership under
this section may also be proposed by the former club.
Section 5 — Dual Membership. No person shall simultaneously hold active membership
in this and another club. No person shall simultaneously be a member and an honorary
member in this club. No person shall simultaneously hold active membership in this
club and membership in a Rotaract club.
Section 6 — Honorary Membership.
(a) Eligibility for Honorary Membership. Persons who have distinguished themselves
by meritorious service in the furtherance of Rotary ideals may be elected to
honorary membership in this club. The term of such membership shall be as
determined by the board. Persons may hold honorary membership in more than
one club.
** The 2001 Council on Legislation adopted an enactment which eliminated types of membership
(senior active, past service and additional active) and revised the classification principle.
However, no one who is a member of a Rotary club as of 1 July 2001 will lose membership by
reason of the new provisions. All such persons will be considered active members.
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(b) Rights and Privileges. Honorary members shall be exempt from the payment of
admission fees and dues, shall have no vote and shall not be eligible to hold any
office in this club. Such members shall not hold classifications, but shall be
entitled to attend all meetings and enjoy all the other privileges of this club. No
honorary member of this club is entitled to any rights and privileges in any other
club, except for the right to visit other clubs without being the guest of a Rotarian.
Section 7 — Holders of Public Office. Persons elected or appointed to public office for a
specified time shall not be eligible to active membership in this club under the
classification of such office. This restriction shall not apply to persons holding
positions or offices in schools, colleges or other institutions of learning or to persons
who are elected or appointed to the judiciary. Members who are elected or appointed
to public office for a specified period may continue as such members in their existing
classifications during the period in which they hold such office.
Section 8 —Rotary International Employment. This club may retain in its membership
any member employed by RI.
Article VII Classifications
Section 1 — General Provisions.
(a)
Principal Activity. Each member shall be classified in accordance with the
member’s business or profession. The classification shall be that which describes
the principal and recognized activity of the firm, company or institution with
which the member is connected or that which describes the member’s principal
and recognized business or professional activity.
(b)
Correction or Adjustment. If the circumstances warrant, the board may correct or
adjust the classification of any member. Notice of a proposed correction or
adjustment shall be provided to the member and the member shall be allowed a
hearing thereon.
Section 2 — Limitations. This club shall not elect a person to active membership from a
classification if the club already has five or more members from that classification,
unless the club has more than 50 members, in which case, the club may elect a person
to active membership in a classification so long as it will not result in the classification
making up more than 10% of the club’s active membership. Members who are retired
shall not be included in the total number of members from a classification. If a
member changes classification, the club may continue the member’s membership
under the new classification notwithstanding these limitations.
**Interim Provision Relating to Section 2 ---Notwithstanding the provisions of article
VII, section 2, no one who was a member of a Rotary club as of 1 July 2001 shall lose
membership by reason of enactment 01-148 adopted by the 2001 Council on Legislation.
(See footnote for Interim Provision to Article VI, section 2 of this constitution.)
Article VIII Attendance
Section 1 — General Provisions. Each member should attend this club’s regular
meetings. A member shall be counted as attending a regular meeting if the member is
present for at least 60% of the meeting, or is present and is called away unexpectedly
and subsequently produces evidence to the satisfaction of the board that such action
was reasonable, or makes up for an absence in any of the following ways:
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(a)
14 Days Before or After the Meeting. If, within fourteen (14) days before or after
the regular time for that meeting, the member
(1)
attends at least 60% of the regular meeting of another club or of a provisional
club; or
(2)
attends a regular meeting of a Rotaract or Interact club or Rotary Community
Corps or of a provisional Rotaract or Interact club or Rotary Community
Corps; or
(3)
attends a convention of RI, a council on legislation, an international
assembly, a Rotary institute for past and present officers of RI, a Rotary
institute for past, present, and incoming officers of RI, or any other meeting
convened with the approval of the board of directors of RI or the president of
RI acting on behalf of the board of directors of RI, a Rotary multizone
conference, a meeting of a committee of RI, a Rotary district conference, a
Rotary district assembly, any district meeting held by direction of the board
of directors of RI, any district committee meeting held by direction of the
district governor, or a regularly announced intercity meeting of Rotary clubs;
or
(4)
is present at the usual time and place of a regular meeting of another club for
the purpose of attending such meeting, but that club is not meeting at that
time or place; or
(5) attends and participates in a
club service project or a club-sponsored
community event or meeting authorized by the board; or
(6)
attends a board meeting or, if authorized by the board, a meeting of a service
committee to which the member is assigned.
When a member is outside the member’s country of residence for more than fourteen
(14) days, the time restriction shall not be imposed so that the member may attend
meetings in another country at any time during the travel period, and each such
attendance shall count as a valid make-up for any regular meeting missed during the
member’s time abroad.
(b)
At the Time of the Meeting. If, at the time of the meeting, the member is
(1) traveling with reasonable directness to or from one of the meetings specified
in sub-subsection (a) (3) of this section; or
(2) serving as an officer or member of a committee of RI, or a trustee of The
Rotary Foundation; or
(3) serving as the special representative of the district governor in the formation
of a new club; or
(4) on Rotary business in the employ of RI; or
(5) directly and actively engaged in a district-sponsored or a RI or Rotary
Foundation- sponsored service project in a remote area where making up
attendance is impossible; or
(6) engaged in Rotary business duly authorized by the board which precludes
attendance at the meeting.
(c)
Extended Absence on Outposted Assignment. If the member, while working
within the member’s own country of residence for an extended period on an
outposted assignment and with the mutual agreement of the member’s club and a
designated club, attends meetings of the designated club.
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Section 2 — Excused Absences. A member’s absence shall be excused if
(a)
the absence complies with the conditions and under circumstances approved by
the board. The board may excuse a member’s absence for reasons which it
considers to be good and sufficient.
(b)
the aggregate of the member’s years of age and years of membership in one or
more clubs is 85 years or more and the member has notified the club secretary in
writing of the member’s desire to be excused from attendance and the board has
approved.
Section 3 –-RI Officers’ Absences. A member’s absence shall be excused if the member
is a current officer of RI.
Section 4 -– Attendance Records. Any member whose absences are excused under the
provisions of subsection (b) of section 2 of this article shall not be included in the
membership figure used to compute this club’s attendance nor shall such absences or
attendances be used for that purpose.
Article IX Directors and Officers
Section 1 — Governing Body. The governing body of this club shall be the board
constituted as the bylaws may provide.
Section 2 — Authority. The board shall have general control over all officers and
committees and, for good cause, may declare any office vacant.
Section 3 --Board Action Final. The decision of the board in all club matters is final,
subject only to an appeal to the club. However, as to a decision to terminate
membership, a member, pursuant to article XI, section 6, may either appeal to the club
or request arbitration. If appealed, a decision of the board shall be reversed only by a
two-thirds vote of the members present, at a regular meeting specified by the board,
provided a quorum is present and notice of the appeal has been given by the secretary
to each member at least five (5) days prior to the meeting. If an appeal is taken, the
action taken by the club shall be final.
Section 4 — Officers. The club officers shall be a president, a president-elect and one or
more vice-presidents, all of whom shall be members of the board, and a secretary, a
treasurer, and a sergeant-at-arms, who may or may not be members of the board as the
bylaws shall provide.
Section 5 — Election of Officers.
(a)
Terms of Officers other than President. Each officer shall be elected as provided
in the bylaws. Except for the president, each officer shall take office on 1 July
immediately following election and shall serve for the term of office or until a
successor has been duly elected and qualified.
(b)
Term of President. The president shall be elected as provided in the bylaws, not
more than two (2) years but not less than eighteen (18) months prior to the day of
taking office. The president shall serve as president-elect for the year immediately
preceding the year as president. The president shall take office on 1 July and shall
serve for a period of one (1) year or until a successor has been duly elected and
qualified.
(c)
Qualifications. Each officer and director shall be a member in good standing of
this club. The president-elect shall attend the district presidents-elect training
seminar and the district assembly unless excused by the governor-elect. If so
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excused, the president-elect shall send a designated club representative who shall
report back to the president-elect.
Article X Admission Fees and Dues
Every member shall pay an admission fee and annual dues as prescribed in the bylaws,
except that any transferring or former member of another club who is accepted into
membership of this club pursuant to article VI, section 4 shall not be required to pay a
second admission fee.
Article XI Duration of Membership
Section 1 — Period. Membership shall continue during the existence of this club unless
terminated as hereinafter provided.
Section 2 — Automatic Termination.
(a)
Membership Qualifications. Membership shall automatically terminate when a
member no longer meets the membership qualifications, except that:
(1) the board may grant a member moving from the locality of this club or the
surrounding area a special leave of absence not to exceed one (1) year to enable
the member to visit and become known to a Rotary club in the new community
if the member is still active in the same classification and continues to meet all
other conditions of club membership;
(2) the board may allow a member moving from the locality of this club or the
surrounding area to retain membership if the member remains active in the
same classification and continues to meet all other conditions of club
membership; and
(3) a member whose classification is lost without default of the member may retain
such classification and be granted a special leave of absence not to exceed one
(1) year to enable the member to obtain new employment in the current or a
new classification. Such member must continue to meet all other conditions of
club membership. Termination of membership would take effect only at the
end of the period of leave granted to the member.
(b)
How to Rejoin. When the membership of a member has terminated as provided in
subsection (a) of this section, such person may make new application for
membership, under the same or another classification. A second admission fee
shall not be required.
(c) Termination of Honorary Membership. Honorary membership shall automatically
terminate at the end of the term for such membership as determined by the board.
However, the board may extend an honorary membership for an additional period.
The board may revoke an honorary membership at any time.
Section 3 — Termination — Non-Payment of Dues.
(a) Process. Any member failing to pay dues within thirty (30) days after the
prescribed time shall be notified in writing by the secretary at the member’s last
known address. If the dues are not paid on or before ten (10) days of the date of
notification, membership may terminate, subject to the discretion of the board.
(b) Reinstatement. The board may reinstate the former member to membership upon
the former member’s petition and payment of all indebtedness to this club.
However, no former member may be reinstated to active membership if the former
member’s classification has been filled.
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Section 4 — Termination — Non-Attendance.
(a) Attendance Percentages. A member must
(1) attend or make up at least 60% of club regular meetings in each half of the year;
(2) attend at least 30% of this club’s regular meetings in each half of the year.
If a member fails to attend as required, the member’s membership shall be subject
to termination unless the board consents to such non-attendance for good cause.
(b) Consecutive Absences. Unless otherwise excused by the board for good and
sufficient reason or pursuant to article VIII, sections 2 or 3, each member who fails
to attend or make up four consecutive regular meetings, shall be informed by the
board that the member’s non-attendance may be considered a request to terminate
membership in this club. Thereafter, the board, by a majority vote, may terminate
the member’s membership.
Section 5 — Termination --Other Causes.
(a) Good Cause. The board may terminate the membership of any member who
ceases to have the qualifications for membership in this club or for any good cause
by a vote of not less than two-thirds of the board members, at a meeting called for
that purpose.
(b) Notice. Prior to taking any action under subsection (a) of this section, the member
shall be given at least ten (10) days’ written notice of such pending action and an
opportunity to submit a written answer to the board. The member shall have the
right to appear before the board to state the member’s case. Notice shall be by
personal delivery or by registered letter to the member’s last known address.
(c)
Filling Classification. When the board has terminated the membership of a
member as provided for in this section, this club shall not elect a new member
under the former member’s classification until the time for hearing any appeal has
expired and the decision of this club or of the arbitrators has been announced.
Section 6 ---Right to Appeal or Arbitrate Termination.
(a) Notice. Within seven (7) days after the date of the board’s decision to terminate
membership, the secretary shall give written notice of the decision to the member.
Within fourteen (14) days after the date of the notice, the member may give written
notice to the secretary of the intention either to appeal to the club or to arbitrate as
provided in article XV.
(b) Date for Hearing of Appeal. In the event of an appeal, the board shall set a date
for the hearing of the appeal at a regular club meeting to be held within twenty-one
(21) days after receipt of the notice of appeal. At least five (5) days’ written notice
of the meeting and its special business shall be given to every member. Only
members shall be present when the appeal is heard.
(c) Arbitration. In the event of a request for arbitration, each party shall appoint an
arbitrator and the arbitrators shall appoint an umpire. Only a member of a Rotary
club may be appointed as umpire or as arbitrator.
(d) Appeal. If an appeal is taken, the action of the club shall be final and binding on
all parties and shall not be subject to arbitration.
(e) Decision of Arbitrators or Umpire. If arbitration is requested, the decision reached
by the arbitrators, or, if they disagree, by the umpire shall be final and binding on
all parties and shall not be subject to appeal.
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Section 7 --Board Action Final. Board action shall be final if no appeal to this club is
taken and no arbitration is requested.
Section 8 — Resignation. The resignation of any member from this club shall be in
writing, addressed to the president or secretary. The resignation shall be accepted by
the board if the member has no indebtedness to this club.
Section 9 — Forfeiture of Property Interest. Any person whose club membership has
been terminated in any manner shall forfeit all interest in any funds or other property
belonging to this club.
Article XII Community, National and International Affairs
Section 1 — Proper Subjects. The merits of any public question involving the general
welfare of the community, the nation and the world are of concern to the members of
this club and shall be proper subjects of fair and informed study and discussion at a
club meeting for the enlightenment of its members in forming their individual
opinions. However, this club shall not express an opinion on any pending controversial
public measure.
Section 2 — No Endorsements. This club shall not endorse or recommend any candidate
for public office and shall not discuss at any club meeting the merits or demerits of
any such candidate.
Section 3 — Non-Political.
(a) Resolutions and Opinions. This club shall neither adopt nor circulate resolutions or
opinions, and shall not take action dealing with world affairs or international
policies of a political nature.
(b) Appeals. This club shall not direct appeals to clubs, peoples or governments, or
circulate letters, speeches, or proposed plans for the solution of specific
international problems of a political nature.
Section 4 — Recognizing Rotary’s Beginning.
The week of the anniversary of Rotary’s founding (23 February) shall be known as
World Understanding and Peace Week. During this week, this club will celebrate
Rotary service, reflect upon past achievements and focus on programs of peace,
understanding and goodwill in the community and throughout the world.
Article XIII Rotary Magazines
Section 1 — Mandatory Subscription. Unless, in accordance with the bylaws of RI, this
club is excused by the board of directors of RI from complying with the provisions of
this article, each member shall, for the duration of membership, subscribe to the
official magazine or to the magazine approved and prescribed for this club by the
board of directors of RI. The subscription shall be paid in six (6) month periods for the
duration of membership in this club and to the end of any six (6) month period during
which membership may terminate.
Section 2 — Subscription Collection. The subscription shall be collected by this club
from each member semiannually in advance and remitted to the Secretariat of RI or to
the office of such regional publications as may be determined by the board of directors
of RI.
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Article XIV Acceptance of Object and Compliance with Constitution and
Bylaws
By payment of an admission fee and dues, a member accepts the principles of Rotary as
expressed in its object and submits to and agrees to comply with and be bound by the
constitution and bylaws of this club, and on these conditions alone is entitled to the
privileges of this club. Each member shall be subject to the terms of the constitution and
bylaws regardless of whether such member has received copies of them.
Article XV Arbitration
Should any dispute, other than as to a decision of the board, arise between any current or
former member(s), and this club, any club officer or the board, on any account
whatsoever which cannot be settled under the procedure already provided for such
purpose, the dispute shall be settled, upon a request to the secretary by any of the
disputants, by arbitration. The procedure utilized for such arbitration shall be as provided
in article XI, section 6, subsections (c) and (e).
Article XVI Bylaws
This club shall adopt bylaws not inconsistent with the constitution and bylaws of RI, with
the rules of procedure for an administrative territorial unit where established by RI, and
with this constitution, embodying additional provisions for the government of this club.
Such bylaws may be amended from time to time as therein provided.
Article XVII Interpretation
Throughout this constitution, the terminology “mail,” “mailing” and “ballot-by-mail” will
include utilization of electronic mail (e-mail) and internet technology to reduce costs and
increase responsiveness.
Article XVIII Amendments
Section 1 — Manner of Amending. Except as provided in section 2 of this article, this
constitution may be amended only by the council on legislation in the same manner as
is established in the bylaws of RI for the amendment of its bylaws.
Section 2 — Amending Article II and Article III. Article II (Name) and Article III
(Locality of the Club) of the constitution shall be amended at any regular meeting of
this club, a quorum being present by the affirmative vote of a majority of members
present and voting, provided that notice of such proposed amendment shall have been
mailed to each member at least ten (10) days before such meeting, and provided
further, that such amendment shall be submitted to the board of directors of RI for its
approval and shall become effective only when so approved.
