ARTICLE I - Name
The name of this organization shall be the Rotaract Club of Lilongwe.
ARTICLE II - Purpose and Goals
The purpose of Rotaract is to provide an opportunity for young men and women to enhance the knowledge and skills that will assist them in personal development, to address the physical and social needs of their communities, and to promote better relations between all people worldwide through a framework of friendship and service.
The goals of Rotaract are:
- To develop professional and leadership skills.
- To emphasize respect for the rights of others, and to promote ethical standards and the dignity of all useful occupations.
- To provide opportunities for young people to address the needs and concerns of the community and our world.
- To provide opportunities for working in cooperation with sponsoring Rotary clubs.
- To motivate young people for eventual membership in Rotary.
ARTICLE III - Sponsorship
The sponsor and partner of this Rotaract club is the Rotary Club of Lilongwe which, through a committee of its Rotarians, the number of which shall be decided by the club, shall provide guidance and have supportive responsibility for this Rotaract club. The continued well-being of this club shall depend on the continued active personal participation of the sponsoring Rotary club.
The basis of organization shall be young men and women living, employed, or studying anywhere in the vicinity of the sponsoring Rotary club. Within the vicinity of the sponsoring Rotary club. This club is not a part of, and neither this club nor its members have any rights or privileges with respect to, the sponsoring Rotary club.
This club is a non-political, non-sectarian organization.
In the event that the sponsoring Rotary club is terminated, the governor of the Rotary district will seek to install another sponsoring Rotary club; if one cannot be found within 180 days, the Rotaract club will be terminated.
ARTICLE IV - Membership
The membership of this club shall consist of young men and women of good character and leadership potential between the ages of 18 and above.
The method of electing members of this club shall be determined by this club.
Each member of this Rotaract club shall attend at least 75% of the club's regularly scheduled meetings and activities annually, provided that absence from a regularly scheduled meeting of the club may be made up as follows: any member absent from a regular meeting of this club may make up such absence by attendance at a regular meeting of any other Rotaract club or any Rotary club on any day of the two weeks immediately preceding or following the day of the absence, or attendance and participation in a club service project or a club-sponsored community event or meeting authorized by the board.
All Rotary Foundation scholars, who are within the age guidelines adopted by the board for the Rotaract program, shall be eligible for guest Rotaract club membership during the period of their study in another country.
Membership shall automatically terminate (a) upon failure to meet attendance requirements unless excused by the board of directors of this club for good and sufficient reason or (b) by termination of the club or (c) by fulfilling the obligation to pay club membership dues and being reminded by the Club treasurer three consecutive times.
Membership may be terminated (a) upon failure to continue to meet the qualifications for membership, or (b) for cause, as determined by this club by vote of not less than 2/3 of all the members in good standing.
ARTICLE V - Meetings
The club shall meet not less than twice per month, as provided in the by-laws, at a time and place suited to the convenience of the members.
The board of directors shall meet as provided by the by-laws.
Rotary International recommends each sponsoring Rotary club to designate one or more members of its club to attend the meeting(s) of its Rotaract club(s) at least once a month.
Meetings of the club and of the board of directors may be cancelled during holiday or vacation periods at the discretion of the board of directors. The board may cancel a regular meeting if it falls on a legal holiday or in case of the death of a club member, an epidemic, a disaster affecting the whole community, or an armed conflict in the community that 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.
ARTICLE VI - Officers and Directors
The officers of this club shall be a president, immediate past president, secretary, treasurer, sergeant at arms and such additional officer(s) as may be provided in the by-laws.
The governing body of this club shall be a board of directors composed of the president, immediate past president, secretary, treasurer, sergeant at arms and additional directors whose number shall be determined by this club, all to be elected from among the members in good standing. All decisions, policies, and actions of the board and of the club shall be subject to the provisions of this constitution and policy established by Rotary International and its members. The board of directors have general control over all officers and committees and may, for good reason, declare any office vacancy. It shall constitute a board of appeals from the rulings of all officers and actions of all committees.
Election of the president nominee shall be held annually prior before the 30th of November by methods compatible with local customs and procedures, but in no case shall more than simple majority of the members present and in good standing be required for elections. The term of office of presidency shall be one year. No provisions shall be made for a term of office shorter than one year.
All incoming Rotaract club officers, directors, and committee chairs shall be provided with leadership training from the district Rotaract committee* in conjunction with the RI district Rotaract committee.
ARTICLE VII - Activities and projects
Within the limits prescribed in Section 1 of Article III, this club shall be responsible for planning, organizing, financing, and conducting its own activities and shall itself supply money, manpower, and creative imagination necessary thereto, except in the case of joint projects or activities undertaken in cooperation with other organizations, such responsibility shall be shared with such other organization(s).
This club shall undertake among its activities at least two major service projects annually, one to serve the community and the other to promote international understanding, and each shall involve all or most of the members of the club.
This club shall provide for a professional development program for its members.
It is the responsibility of the club to raise the funds necessary to conduct its program. It shall not solicit or accept more than occasional or incidental financial assistance from the sponsoring Rotary club, nor shall it make general solicitation from Rotary clubs other than its sponsoring Rotary club or from other Rotaract clubs; nor shall it solicit financial assistance from individuals, businesses, or organizations in the community without giving something of value in return. All funds raised for service projects must be expended for that purpose.
ARTICLE VIII - Committees
They shall be provided in the by-laws of this club with the following standing committees; club service, international service, community service, professional & leadership development, fundraising, public relations, the rotary foundation and such other standing committees as may be deemed necessary or convenient for the administration of the club.
The president, with the approval of the board, may appoint such special committees as he/she may deem necessary, citing their duties at the time of appointment. All such special committees shall lapse upon the completion of their duties, upon discharge by the appointing president, or with the end of his/her term of office, whichever occurs first.
ARTICLE XI - Fees
Any fees, dues, or assessments on the membership of the club shall be nominal and shall only be for the purpose of meeting the administrative costs of the club. Funds for activities and projects undertaken by the club shall be raised apart from such fees, dues, or assessments and shall be placed into a separate account. A thorough audit by a qualified person shall be made once each year of all the club's financial transactions.
ARTICLE X - Acceptance of Constitution and By-Laws
Every member of the club, by acceptance of membership, thereby accepts the principles of Rotaract as expressed in its purpose and goals and agrees to comply with the constitution and by-laws of this club, and on these conditions alone is entitled to the privileges of the club. No member shall be absolved from the observance of the Constitution and By-Laws on the plea that a copy of them has not been received.
ARTICLE XI - Standard By-Laws
The club shall adopt the "Standard Rotaract Club By-Laws," together with such amendments as are not inconsistent with this constitution and which may be deemed necessary or convenient for the government of the club, provided that such amendments are adopted in accordance with the amendment procedure prescribed in the "Standard Rotaract Club By-Laws."
ARTICLE XII - Rotaract Emblem
The Rotaract emblem shall be preserved for the exclusive use and benefit of Rotaract club members. Each member of this club shall be entitled to wear or otherwise display the Rotaract emblem in a dignified and appropriate manner during the period of membership. Such entitlement shall be relinquished upon termination of membership or termination of this club.
When displayed by individual club members, the emblem may be used without further information. When the emblem is used to represent a club, the name of the club should appear with the emblem.
ARTICLE XIII - Duration
This club shall exist so long as it continues to function in accordance with the provisions of this constitution and policy relating to Rotaract established by Rotary International, or until it is terminated (a) by this club upon its own determination and action, (b) by the sponsoring Rotary club upon withdrawal of its sponsorship, after consultation with the district governor and district Rotaract representative, or (c) by Rotary International for failure to function in accordance with this constitution or for other cause. Upon termination of this club, all rights and privileges relating to the Rotaract name and emblem shall be relinquished by the club and by its members individually and collectively. The Rotaract club shall relinquish all financial assets to the sponsoring Rotary club.
ARTICLE XIV - Administration
The constitution may be amended only by the Board of Directors of the Club and all amendments to the "Standard Rotaract Club Constitution" adopted by the Board of Directors shall automatically amend the Constitution.
By-Laws of the Rotaract Club of Lilongwe.
ARTCLE I - Elections
Election for the office of the President Nominee shall be held annually prior before 30 November. A Rotaract club year is the same as a Rotary club year. Those elected shall take office on 1 July.
Nominations shall be made in writing. Candidates shall be voted upon at the regular meeting following the meeting at which nominations are made. Voting shall be by secret ballot. Those candidates receiving a majority of the votes of the members present and in good standing shall be elected.
In addition, the Incoming President which is the President shall choose and appoint his/her officers and committee directors prior to 1 march.
ARTICLE II - Duties of Officers
President. The president shall preside at all regular and special meetings of the club and the board of directors. He / She shall, with the approval of the board, appoint all standing and special committees and, in the event of a vacancy in the board of directors, shall, with the approval of the board, fill such vacancy by appointment until the next regular election of the club. He / She shall be an ex officio member of all committees. He shall maintain communication with the sponsor club and the district Rotaract representative to ensure they are continually informed of all actions taken by the club.
Secretary. The secretary shall maintain all club records; He / She shall keep minutes of all the meetings of the club and board of directors and provide copies of such to the chair of the sponsor Rotary club's New generations committee.
Treasurer. The treasurer shall have custody of all club funds, maintaining all necessary records and depositing all such funds in a bank approved by the board of directors. He shall report on the club's financial status at each meeting of the club and shall hold all records available for inspection by any club member. All disbursements shall be by check and with the signature of two authorized officers.
Sergeant-At-Arms. The sergeant At Arms shall maintain order and decorum during meetings and events, assisting in the setup and organization of club meetings and events, ensuring timely start and smooth flow of meetings, upholding club traditions, flags, banners and equipment. Support in ushering guests and introducing visitors.
IPP/Advisor. The Immediate Past President shall ensure continuity, stability and mentorship helping the new leadership succeed while staying engaged as a trusted advisor. He / She shall preside at all regular and special meetings of the club and the board of directors if the President is in absence.
ARTICLE III - Meetings
Meetings of the club shall be not less than twice a month, and meetings of the board not less than once a month, at a time and place suited to the convenience of the membership.
A majority of the members (5) in good standing shall constitute a quorum at any regular or special meetings of the club. A quorum for any meeting of the board shall be any four members, one of whom shall be the president, secretary or immediate past president.
ARTICLE IV - Fees and Dues
Admission for the new members shall be subject to a 50% payment of the annual accrued fees of a Rotary Year being MK60,000.
Monthly dues shall be Mk10,000 per member which adds up to MK120,000 for a Rotary year.
All fees and dues must be paid before a member is considered in good standing. If a member fails to honor their monthly dues for over three months and the Treasurer reminded them to pay and do not act on such, their membership will be under review subject to termination.
A member of the Club can never carry over dues amounting to over 50% to the other Rotary year or risk losing their membership status.
ARTICLE V - Membership
- Get introduced by an Active/good standing member/Sponsor.
- Attend 3 meetings as a Guest/Aspiring Member to get the feel of the Club and what Rotary is all about.
- Submit a letter of intent/Application to the Club secretary and Club Service director for review. (The application letter should include your age, where you stay, why you are interested in joining the RAC Lilongwe family and what you do professionally as a person.)
- Call for nomination to be inducted by the Club Service director after review.
- Approval by the board to be Inducted into the Club.
- Fireside Chat - basically being orientated on what the club expects from you and etc.
- 50% Membership fee to be paid before being officially inducted into the Club.
- Official membership Induction to take place with the attendance of the President, the Board members, Members in good standing and the Inductees relatives or close person's.
ARTICLE V - Committees
The president, with the approval of the board of directors, shall appoint the following standing committees:
Club service. This committee shall be responsible for attendance, membership, programs, fellowship and such other matters as may be deemed appropriate.
International service. This committee shall be charged with primary responsibility for enhancing knowledge and understanding of worldwide needs, problems, and opportunities and developing activities to give service for promoting international understanding and goodwill toward all people.
Community service. This committee shall have responsibility for enhancing knowledge and understanding of community needs, problems and opportunities, and for formulating and developing appropriate activities for serving the community.
Professional & Leadership development. This committee shall be responsible for developing a program designed to provide information about a wide cross-section of businesses and professions and to stimulate awareness and acceptance of high ethical standards in business and professional life.
Fundraising. This committee shall devise ways and means of financing any and all club activities requiring funds, in cooperation with the appropriate committee.
Public Relations. This committee shall promote the club's activities through social media, posters, and press. Manage the club's online presence (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.). Create content (graphics, videos, write-ups) to highlight projects. Build relationships with media houses and community influencers. Ensure the club's branding aligns with Rotaract and Rotary standards.
The Rotary Foundation. This committee shall educate members about The Rotary Foundation's mission and programs. Encourage members to contribute to TRF and participate in global efforts. Liaise with the sponsoring Rotary club regarding Foundation activities. Promote participation in global grants and Rotary's focus areas. Share stories and impacts of TRF-funded projects with the club.
The international service and community service committees shall each have the duty of initiating and planning one major activity in its field each year which shall involve all or most of the club membership.
ARTICLE VI - Amendments
These by-laws may be amended by majority vote of the members in good standing at any regular or special meeting of the club at which a quorum is present, provided notice of intention to call such a vote is given at least fourteen days earlier at a meeting of the club at which a quorum is present.
Nothing in these by-laws shall contravene any provision of this club's constitution.