For more than 80 years, Rotary’s Bylaws stated that members shall be ‘men’ of good character in professional occupations. This was done because, in the early 1900s, most jobs outside the home were held by men only. In 1989 at the Council on Legislation, delegates realized that women were now having careers beyond the home, and were now in those same professional occupations alongside their male counterparts. The Council voted at that time that membership shall be open to both genders. 
As we look at today’s businesses and professional occupations, we see that in many cultures, men and women hold these positions equally. As it was in the early 1900s, Rotary should reflect the make-up of the community in which it resides. Clubs are strongly encouraged to invite both males and females to membership.
As I’ve visited many clubs around the world, I have seen firsthand that the clubs who have become dual gender are the stronger Rotary clubs. I don’t say this because I think it is the women who have made the club stronger. I say this because clubs that are balanced with diversity of gender (as well as race, religion and classifications), are generally stronger clubs.
Men and women have different strengths, different talents, different management styles and different ways of dealing with situations. It is this mix of differences that gives the club the ability to get things done most effectively. The all male or all female clubs are missing a great opportunity that diversity brings.
Now and then we hear from all male clubs that they are “open” to women, however they “haven’t found any” to invite. To that I say….open your eyes!
R.I.D. Betsy
So, what was the result of the 10 April hearing?
I would like to make a correction that it is not certain whether or not the Rotary Club of Union City TN actually put it in their bylaws and/or constitution that they exclude women from becoming members. However it is important to note that clubs that have not invited women into their membership for 5 years, 10 years, 25 years or 89 years or even as little as 1 year, are under the court of public opionion if it is an all male club. The same is true for clubs that only have women. Depending on the area will help form the opionion based on the surrounding business owners and known gender demographics.
What is factual, is that both men and women make up the business community. Rotary is supposed to reflect the diversity of their community, and we all know both men and women are business owners. To leave out an entire gender is a form of disenfranchisment. This is why the Supreme Court ruled the way it did back in 1987.
Dear RID Betsy,
For those who comment that “I can’t believe we are still hung up on the gender issue”….I applaud them. Unfortunately RI is still caught up on the gender issue. Just look at the interpretation code on page 171 in the RI Manual of Procedures….plug in the permissive words “may”….”should”….add in “limited” ….and “encouraged” (the other permissive words used in RCP 4.040 and RIB 4.070) and one will understand we have a long way to go in ending gender discrimination. Near the heart of the U.S. capital we still have Rotary clubs that after 89 years will still not accept women in their membership. Why? Because they refer back to RCP 4.040…and send their unwanted gender (women) to the nearest rotary club that does accept them. Governors are only ” encouraged” to promote dual gender membership in all clubs. I was told by RID John Smarge my DG was not required to help me end this form of discrimination in a club where I was assigned as an AG. I was terminated by an officer of RI after asking for help with this club that holds the chief of police, the mayor and other high ranking officials. Unlike Union City TN RC, they did not put it in their club bylaws and constitution that they don’t accept women, instead they just have a board member call the woman (like they did with me) and explain it is their culture. An RI officer broadcasted via email
that Rotarians are forbidden to attempt to change this clubs view of women in Rotary…nor will he make any attempts. I forwarded these emails to the proper authorities in RI and all I got back was the RI board encourages clubs to reflect the diversity of the community. Now I understand Union City RC
is facing a hearing based on page 177 “disapline for cause”3.030.5….where there has to be a unanimous vote by the international RI board to revoke a charter. In 1977 when RI revoked the Rotary club of Duart just for allowing women to join, I doubt there had to be a unanimous vote. Women were invited into Rotary because this tiny club faught RI at the Supreme court hearing of 1987….and won.
Apparently the permissive language used concerning dual gender clubs on page 18 in the RI MOP is a reflection of the chip on their shoulder. If the Lions club (an international organization ) can use “shall” in their zero tolerance policy on gender discrimination….why can’t Rotary. We have RIB “club compliance for national law” on page 7 in the MOP. How can RI,justify breaking tax laws under RIs 501.3(c)?
Remember they terminated an AG for asking for help with a club that openly admitts they do not want women. And RI put it in writing this us acceptable culture. All emails available upon request. bbcoble@yahoo.com
The speed at which Rotary adopts changes makes glaciation seem fast. It has now been 30 years since women were first admitted to Rotary and people are still asking if it is a good idea. Only 10% of Rotarians are women as many clubs actively and indirectly bar women either by not inviting them to join or by continuing the tradition of never asking anyone to join. Go to any district meeting and it is still 90%+ male. A female friend of mine said that in order for a woman to be considered half as good as a man she needs to be twice as good. Fortunately that is not too difficult. Men have had that same length of time to fix Rotaries recruitment issues and failed spectacularly. The way to fix this problem is to actively recruit and only actively recruit women directly into Rotary and to phase out inner wheel which is a barrier to Rotaries female growth.
Dear litesp33d,
It is public knowledge of what I have stated about the RC Union City TN…as stated on page 34 of the January RI board minutes.
It takes one amazing DG to show he is not affraid of the old guard and the blackballing that goes on in business organizations. Here is the letter stating more information about the April 10th hearing. I have the procedures document on how the hearing will be conducted. See both below. Keep your fingers and toes crossed that no longer can Rotarians just “Pay” to “Play” in the eyes of RI. It is not easy to pull a charter of a club of 150 male professional members because of all the charity they generate for the Foundation. My prayers are with the international RI board that they will understand that in order to grow Rotary beyonde 1.25 million members (a number we have been stuck at for two decades) we have to be honest about our “brand”. Clearly the actions and written bylaws and constitution are a case of speaking out of both sides of ones mouth. It is time that we respect the culture and laws of our land as cited in “Club Compliance for National Law”. See documentation below where the entire U.S can watch and see what happens to a club that has not had a woman in its membership as suspected since 1936 or at least since the Supreme Court Ruling of 1987. It is time to turn up the heat and melt that glacier! Check out the documents below from Gen. Sec John Hewko and pass it along! If others question why this is so important, remember, the new generation is depending on us to Brand the new Rotary, where we are no longer made up of white males having lunch (as the BBC reported in a survey not very long ago). My daughter was a Rotaract student and she read between the lines too. Needless to say, she no longer desires to be in Rotaract. This makes me very sad indeed. But who is to blame her when in 2012 the RI bylaws have a separate catagory for “dual gender clubs” as if it needs to mentioned at all on page 18 after the RIB bylaw on page 12 states no club may limit its membership based on Race, Gender etc… Why even mention dual gender clubs at all with this bylaw in place? Because the word “MAY” is used that is why. Wake up, this problem will not go away until there are enactments to RIB 4.070 and RCP 4.040 should be taken out and replaced with a more intelligent statement instead of giving clubs the idea to send their unwanted gender to the nearest club that does except both genders. The onus should be on the club and district to prove why it is against the law for men and women to be members of the same Rotary Club and not the other way around. Each hearing will cost RI $7500 (see January RI board minutes page 34) multiply that figure by the 22 single gender clubs (intentionally single gender clubs) in zones 33 and 34 and you have a whopping bill of $165,000 spent on hearings where RI can not even state in their RI Bylaws and Constitution: It is not acceptable culture in RI and Rotary Clubs within the USA to gender discriminate for the purpose of having a single gender membership as it violates tax exemption priviliages under RI’s 501 3 (c). Talk about putting the cart before the horse! Read the details of this hearing below:
March 9th:
Pursuant to Article 3.030.5. of the Rotary International Bylaws and the decision of the RI Board, notice is hereby given that a hearing will take place concerning allegations made by the leadership of District 6760 against the Rotary Club of Union City that it is violating Article 4.070. of the RI Bylaws by limiting its membership on the basis of gender. A copy of the official statement of the allegations is enclosed.
The hearing will take place on 10 April 2012, beginning at 10:00 A.M. and will be held at One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, Illinois 60202. A hearing committee composed of RI Directors Samuel Owori (Chair), Yash Das, Kenneth Schuppert and John Smarge will conduct the hearing pursuant to the enclosed rules and procedures. The club is entitled to be represented by counsel at the hearing.
Rules and Procedures
For Hearing
Pursuant to Article 3.030.5.
The general secretary has established the following rules and procedures to govern the hearing designated in Decision 221 taken at the Board’s January 2012 meeting.
1. The hearing shall be conducted by a hearing committee that has been appointed by RI President Kalyan Banerjee comprising RI Directors Samuel Owori (Chair), Yash Das, Kenneth Schuppert and John Smarge. In the event that a committee member is unable to participate in person at the hearing, President Banerjee shall appoint a replacement.
2. The hearing shall take place on 10 April 2012 at 10:00 A.M. at One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60202. The start time may be subject to change based on logistical constraints.
3. The Rotary Club of Union City (the Club), District 6760 (the District) and the general secretary shall each submit a written statement via email or hard copy, with copies to the other parties, by 27 March 2012. Each party’s written statement shall include the principal arguments and attach all evidence that the party intends to rely upon. If evidence is testimonial, the party is strongly encouraged to submit a signed declaration from the witness. If a party intends to present live testimony, the written statement shall include a detailed summary of the testimony to be presented. The Club, the District and the general secretary may each submit a supplemental written statement, solely to respond to another party’s written statement, by 3 April 2012. The general secretary shall provide all written statements to the hearing committee in advance of the hearing.
4. The Club is entitled to be represented by counsel at the hearing.
5. The hearing shall follow the following general format: opening remarks from the Chair; opening remarks from the general secretary; opening statement from the District; opening statement from the Club; questions from the hearing committee; and closing statements (if any) from the Club and District. Each statement shall be limited to 20 minutes in length, subject to extension by the Chair. Statements and comments should be addressed to the Chair. General secretary staff may participate as appropriate. The hearing committee, through its Chair, may make reasonable changes to the general format suitable for the purpose of the hearing.
6. During its respective opening statement, the District and Club may reference such evidence as is relevant and material to the allegations. Conformity to legal rules of evidence shall not be necessary. The hearing committee, through its Chair, shall determine the admissibility, relevance, and materiality of the evidence offered and may exclude evidence deemed by it to be cumulative or irrelevant.
7. RI Directors shall have the opportunity to observe the hearing via electronic means. Directors may submit questions for the hearing committee’s consideration prior to the hearing.
8. The general secretary may record the hearing by audio, video and/or stenographic means.
9. Following the hearing, the hearing committee shall draft a recommendation to the Board for consideration at its next meeting.
10. The general secretary may amend these Rules and Procedures, with reasonable notice to the hearing committee and the parties, consistent with the RI Bylaws and Decision 221
I cant believe we are still talking about this sort of thing – but I come from a Club of 110 members – 40% female and the GROWTH is certainly female!
Dear Kevin,
I am so happy to hear this about your club. The Club I chartered as President in 09′ is the same way, about 45% female. It has been a wonderful experience bringing the community together and working hard for a cause. Rotary has taught me to no longer display apathy, we are to roll up our sleves and get it done through the power of many. In our club we reach out to single moms, stay at home moms and retirees as well. These women are the hardest workers and their classification is of little importance as long as they have good morals and ethics. Besides raising children is a vocation in itself. The idea behind Rotary is to empower those want to do good in the world,
Well said, Betsy, we need to see all around us and make our Clubs represent our communities in total.