1. Alternate Membership Options
For Rotary Clubs to Consider
Michael Hayes

2. Membership Types Rotary Recognized Two Types
Active members – Referred to as “Rotarians”
Pay Dues to RI and the Districts,
Enjoy full Rights of Membership
Counted as “Club Members” by Rotary International
Honorary Members – Referred to as “Honorary Rotarians”
Pay no Dues, no rights of membership, not counted as “Club Members by Rotary International, designated at the discretion of the club

3. Club options for “Alternative Members”
Clubs may create alternate membership types for Active Member Status. Clubs should consider
Their objectives for alternate membership
Announce their intentions and discuss the plan (yes, have a plan) with their members:
Alternate membership types may be considered “unfair” by some members
Some members may wish to pursue the alternate membership
Understand the impact on the club before “jumping in”

4. Types of Alternative Memberships
Clubs have flexibility in the types of membership they offer. These include
Corporate memberships
Partner memberships
Rotary membership for Rotaractors
Passport memberships
The only limitation to types of membership is the imagination!

5. Types of Alternate Membership
Corporate Membership is the most common. Attributes of this membership may include:
A designated primary member from the corporation will be the dues paying member, alternate members attend meetings in place of or in addition to the primary member.
The business entity may be a business, educational institution, government institution, or any other employer.
Club bylaws define dues, meal costs, etc for the primary member and the alternate attendees.

6. Benefits of Corporate Memberships
Convenient way to establish a connection between the Rotary Club and a Business
Provides the business a low risk Community Service / Interaction / Leadership development opportunity for employees
Offers values based businesses the opportunity to expose employees to a values based service organization
Provides opportunity for the Rotary Club to become relevant to the business community
Represents a long term membership growth opportunity for the Rotary club

7. Types of Alternative Membership
Rotaractor Memberships
Rotaractors are eligible to be Rotaractors and Rotarians. Clubs may establish guidelines to make it easier for Rotaractors to join:
Allowance for or exemption from meal costs, club costs, pay only Rotary and District Dues
Rotaract Corporate Membership
One member is named, others can be alternates
Club bylaws address attendance by multiple alternates

8. Types of Alternate Memberships
Family Memberships
Same Concept as Corporate Memberships
Primary Family Member is the Rotarian, other family members are alternates
Club bylaws address the attendance of multiple family members

9. Types of Alternate Memberships
Passport Members
Passport Clubs for frequent Rotary travelers exist to provide a home club for someone whose Rotary Experience is visiting clubs while traveling
Passport clubs have reporting and participation requirements for Passport members
An existing Rotary Club can modify its bylaws to accommodate Passport members as club members

10. Incorporating Alternative Memberships
Modify the Club Bylaws
Decisions affecting bylaws
Qualification and Election as of Alternative members
Attendance of Primary and Alternate members
Dues and meal costs for Primary and Alternate members
Management of votes and quorum
Holding office
Participation in Projects

11. And While Your Club is Evaluating its Bylaws
Other Membership issues to Consider
Do the selection/election of new members provisions conflict with the election of alternative members provisions?
Do the club bylaws inhibit membership growth, either due to the rigor of the process or the time required for admission?
Should the club incorporate provisions to allow development of a Satellite Club?

12. References
Guide to Corporate Memberships -
Flexible Options for Clubs - flexibility
Club Flexibility FAQ - faq#membership_types
Anything else you might want to know about membership - topic/membership

13. Questions?