Club Administration - Membership/Attendance Policy

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The Rotary Club of Brunswick Bylaws are consistent and in compliance with Rotary International attendance policy. The purpose of this memorandum is to provide options and incentives in addition to attendance at regular luncheon club meetings.

Rotary in itself is not just a social club for weekly gatherings. The prime objective of “Service above Self” must, with enthusiasm and commitment, be encouraged and maintained. This characteristic of all Rotarians can be fulfilled in several ways:                  

1.      Participation in Rotary club activities, which can lead to credits to be applied to offset required attendance at scheduled weekly club meetings.

2.      Minimum attendance (50%) equates to only about 23 meetings per year, with make-ups possible at other Rotary clubs or on line.

3.      Each newly inducted member should sign up for one of our club’s numerous committees. These committees are established each year by the president-elect, insuring that an appropriate number of members are assigned. A list of these committees and their members should be available to the orientation official so that an incoming new member can choose which committee he or she would enjoy serving on.

4.      The club also offers several fundraising activities in which members should participate for the benefit of the club’s supporting activities. Examples of these include:

a.       Annual Capitol Steps or equivalent major event

b.      Annual 4^th of July on the Mall children activities

c.   Annual Bicycle Tour of Merrymeeting Bay

d.   Annual Salvation Army Bell Ringing

Fellowship is an important aspect of being a Rotarian and each member as individuals can best enjoy this relationship at luncheon meetings and by participation in club activities. It is only through Fellowship and a committed involvement in Rotary that we as Rotarians can maintain and accomplish the “Four way Test”.

The Bylaws also provide for excused absences under extraordinary circumstances with Board approval. They are, but not limited to:

1.  Members with a combined age and years as a Rotarian exceeding 84 are excused upon request.

2.  Leaves of absence for good cause, such as extraordinary business, special assignment, health, family or seasonal (snowbirds) absences.

3. Hours participated on Rotary committees. Reports should be submitted at the end of each quarter by the committee chair to the club secretary. Each committee meeting attended or an accumulation of two hours of outside effort in support of a committee, or work in a club activity/event will counted as one credit for each missed weekly luncheon meeting for attendance purposes throughout the current semi-annual dues period.

As can be ascertained from the above options and alternatives, it is not unreasonably difficult for all members to fulfill their attendance requirements of making 50% of the meetings per calendar year or making up for missed meetings by earning credits during any current semi-annual dues period. However, utilization of credits is not intended to discourage attendance at normal club luncheon meetings.

 The following policy is now established: 

1.      While the Bylaws require that a member be terminated, with Board approval, if he or she fails to attend four consecutive club meetings, it is now established that other factors such as committee involvement and participation in Rotary activities shall be taken into consideration. Those not involved in such activities and having no credits shall be contacted personally by the Membership and Attendance committee upon missing their fourth consecutive unexcused regularly scheduled club meeting as to their intentions concerning continued Rotary involvement. The member will be informed of the many opportunities involving make-up meetings, committees and activities participation available, and re-emphasize the spirit of Rotary.

2.      Each new member proposer is responsible for the following:

a.       Mentor the new member through the first three months of membership, providing guidance as appropriate concerning participation on committees, Rotary activities, acting as Greeter for scheduled meetings, or other pertinent activity that can be assigned to new members.

b.      The proposer should insure that the new member is introduced to as many members as possible. This can be accomplished by sitting with different members at each scheduled meeting until a full rotation is completed within a three month period. It cannot be over-emphasized that the proposer is a trusted and valuable resource to the new member. The proposer should continue to act in this mentoring capacity until the new member is at ease with and comprehends the Brunswick Rotary Club and Rotary International Bylaws and their objectives.

3.      If any member cannot maintain this liberal attendance policy and falls below the 50% attendance requirement including credits for committee and activity participation in any semi-annual dues period (January-June, and July-December), by notice of the secretary the member shall be placed on probation

      for six months. If at the end of that period the member has failed to be restored     

     to qualified membership, the member shall be terminated without Board action,

     and the secretary shall notify the member.

It is recognized that members who maintain a very high attendance record at regular club meetings and participate in committee and club activities should be so recognized. Therefore, those members who fulfill a 100% attendance record, including credits, will be honored during the succeeding month after the end of each semi-annual dues period. The Board will determine the form of appropriate recognition.