Application for Recognition as a
Global Networking Group
I. Proposed Group Name: Rotary Action Group for Corporate Social Responsibility. RAGCSR
II. Proposed Group Category (check one): __ Rotary Fellowship x Rotarian Action Group
III. Statement of Purpose: For Rotarians around the world to encourage and promote the principles and strategies of the UN Global Compact. By doing so, business, as a primary agent driving globalization, can help ensure that markets, commerce, technology and finance advance in ways that benefit economies and societies everywhere.
The UN Global Compact is a strategic policy initiative for businesses that are committed to aligning their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles concerned with human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption.
IV
· Proposed Bylaws are attached at end of document
· Background of Founding Officers:
Josef Klee PhD, Rotary Club of New York , is a former director of an international consulting firm and a former UN Deputy Director. He has served as an adviser to the UN Global Compact Office and the Holy See Mission to the United Nations. He has published books and articles on international management topics including business ethics. He has hosted the monthly Rotary Club of New York breakfast meetings at the German Mission to the United Nations for the last six years.
Sylvan Barnet of Rotary Club of New York has maintained the position to the Rotary International Representation to the United Nations for many years and has been instrumentation in organizing the Rotary International Day at the United Nations for more than 20 years.
Thomas McConnon of the Rotary Club of New York has been the Editor of the Rotary Club of New York at the United Nations Newsletter and the “Findings Editor” for the Annual Rotary International at the United Nations Day since 2004.
Shelia Washington Management Consultant, Rotary Club of New York Please fill in
Kama Klink, Rotary Club of New York,
Dieter Lohneis, Rotary Club Munich International, Germany
Klaus Schreiter, Rotary Club Munich International, Germany
· List of proposed officers (a minimum of three) including names, addresses, phone numbers, classifications and responsibilities:
Josef Klee, Senior Active - Rotary Club of New York - Chair Sylvan Barnet, Senior Active - Rotary Club of New York - Vice Chair -Tom McConnon, Senior Active - Rotary Club of New York - Vice Chair -Sheial Washington Management Consultatn Rotary Club of New York
List of willing members from at least three different countries.
Annamaria Andretta Fragiacome Rotary Club Munich International, Germany
Sandra Roberts Rotary Club Miami Shores, USA
Angelo Santagostino Rotary Club Brescia Ovest Italy
Gabriela Wahl-Multerer Rotary Club Munich International, Germany
· Why is the promotion of the UN Global Compact Relevant to Rotary?
The Objects of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster 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. Rotarians are committed to apply high ethical standards in their business actives and professional lives.
Recently Rotary International and the UN Global Compact Office exchanged a letter of cooperation to promote the ten principles and strategies of the Global Compact and to seek stronger alignment through joint activities and programs between the Global Compact Local Networks and the more 33,000 local Rotary Clubs.
Rotary International has played an essential role in building support during the formative years of The United Nations. As such, more than 60 years later, Rotary International still maintains the highest consultative status with the United Nations as an non-governmental organization. In this capacity, Rotary International and the United Nations has built a strong and productive partnership in achieving the Millennium Development Goals of 2000, in the areas of global eradication of Polio, literacy, education, water/sanitation and promotion of peace conferences around the world.
Plan of Action:
Rotarians are committed to apply high ethical standards in their business actives and professional lives.
As stated above, Rotary International and the UN Global Compact Office have a collaborative agreement to promote the implementation of the ten principles of the Global Compact through practical measures. Our Action Group will support this goal through the following initiatives:
Build upon current website to motivate Rotarians worldwide and the public at large to support the Global Compact.
Development of training modules about the Global Compact for Rotary Clubs and universities.
Planning and organizing an annual Rotary Conference on global corporate social responsibilities.
Design of a Rotary award program for outstanding examples of corporate social responsibilities at the local level as well at the global level.
Establishing a strong working relationships with UN offices, universities and NGO’s
Assist and advise Rotary Clubs to promote sound social corporate social responsibility.
Example of Projects would include:
Our group will continue to organize monthly Rotary breakfast meetings at the UN headquarters in New York with speakers from UN Missions and UN Offices.
Our group will continue to publish and maintain a website providing summaries of Rotary and UN activities concerning the promotion of corporate social responsibilities.
Our group will continue to invite and mentor Rotaract and university students who serve as interns in UN offices or in missions and encourage them study topics of global corporate ethics.
IMPORTANT: Before agreeing to the following terms, please be sure that you have familiarized yourself with the Rotary Code of Policies excerpts pertaining to your proposed Global Networking Group category. Proposed groups are reminded that if denied recognition by the RI Board, they may not reapply for a period of two years from the date of such denial. Any preliminary questions may be addressed to RI Staff at: rotaryfellowships@rotary.org.
V. Please acknowledge the following terms of recognition, as found in the Rotary Code of Policies.
All Global Networking Groups are expected to assume the following time-sensitive responsibilities:
v Respond to communications from the general secretary in a timely manner.
v Publish a newsletter (which may be distributed electronically) for members of the group in good standing at least once during each Rotary year, and to file a copy of this and other important communications with the general secretary.
v Hold an annual forum by way of a newsletter, annual meeting, or other activity appropriate to the group, through which members in good standing can interact.
v Respond to inquiries from members, potential members, and the general secretary.
v Submit to the general secretary proposed articles of incorporation in advance of such action. Articles of incorporation must include a statement to the effect that the group is not an activity or agency of RI.
v Notify the general secretary of plans to approach other organizations for funds in excess of $25,000 or other cooperative relationships in advance of such action.
v Obtain the approval of the appropriate district governor or governors in advance of any effort to request the cooperation of districts, clubs or Rotarians outside of the group’s own membership for any purpose whatsoever.
v Submit an annual report of activities, including cost of membership dues and a financial statement showing revenues and expenditures during the past Rotary year, and a statement of funds on hand at the time of the report, to its members with a copy to the general secretary by 1 October of each year.
v Rotarian Action Groups must also include a summary of service projects completed with their annual report. Rotarian Action Groups with annual gross receipts or expenditures of more than US$25,000 or equivalent are required to provide an annual financial statement and report that has been independently reviewed by a qualified accountant, to their members, and supply a copy to the general secretary by 1 October in each year.
The Global Networking Group hereby agrees to comply with the criteria for recognition as set forth by the RI Board of Directors. The Global Networking Group understands and accepts that recognition of the existence of the group by Rotary International in no way implies legal, financial or other obligation or responsibility on the part of RI, or any RI district or Rotary club. The Global Networking Group agrees not to act on behalf of RI, or represent or imply that it has authority to act on behalf of RI. The Global Networking Group also agrees to comply with RI policy on use of the Rotary Marks. The Global Networking Group agrees to add the following clause to its bylaws or constitution:
The Global Networking Group acknowledges that it is not covered by RI insurance and will assess its own risk and secure coverage as appropriate.
Name of Proposed Chair (please print) Josef Klee
Address 870 UN Plaza Apt 20C New York N.Y. 10017
Telephone 212 752 0959 Fax E-mail j.u. klee@att.net
Signature of Proposed Chair Date
Send to: Rotary International, Service Support & Awards Department (PD210), One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201-3698, USA, Fax: (847) 866-6116, E-mail: rotaryfellowships@rotary.org.
ROTARIAN ACTION GROUP STANDARD BYLAWS
ARTICLE I - NAME
Section 1.1. The name of this Rotarian Action Group shall be ______________ (action group).
Section 1.2. The office of the action group shall be located at ______________. The email address of the action group shall be ______________.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
Section 2.1. The purpose of this action group shall be...
This action group shall operate in compliance with the requirements for recognition of Rotarian Action Groups as set forth from time to time by Rotary International (RI), but it shall not be an agency of, or controlled by, Rotary International.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERS
Section 3.1. Membership in the action group shall be open to all active members of Rotary Clubs (Rotarians) in good standing, spouses of Rotarians, and members of Rotaract Clubs (Rotaractors). The action group shall assume no liability for services rendered by its members.
Section 3.2. Membership shall be on a/an (annual/multiannual/lifetime membership) basis. Annual memberships shall expire on 30 June of each year unless renewed. A Certificate of Membership shall be issued to each member of the action group as directed by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 4.1. The governing body of the action group shall be the Board of Directors. The number of Directors shall be determined by the Board of Directors and shall be increased or decreased in a manner approved by the Board of Directors, but in no event shall there be fewer than three Directors. At least one member of the Board of Directors shall be a past district governor of RI. All directors shall be active Rotarians.
Section 4.2. A simple majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of the Board of Directors. Attendance by conference call or via Internet shall be considered the same as attendance in person to the extent permitted by law.
Section 4.3. Directors shall serve until their successors are chosen and qualified.
Section 4.4. Terms for Directors shall be either two or three years as determined by the Board, except that the terms of the members of the initial Board of Directors shall be set to allow the terms to be on a staggered scheduled. For terms of two years, one half of the Board of Directors shall be elected each year; and for terms of three years, one third of the Board of Directors shall be elected each year, in order to promote continuity. No Director shall serve for more than two consecutive terms. Terms shall commence on July 1 of the calendar year elected.
ARTICLE V - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 5.1. A Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors and so indicated in a notice to the members. Notice sent by mail or transmitted via email or Internet to the last known address of the members shall be considered good and sufficient notice to the extent permitted by law. The Nominating Committee shall receive nominations for the Board of Director’s positions until a specified deadline, whereupon nominations shall be closed. The Nominating Committee may also offer its own nominees for election. All nominees must have indicated their willingness to serve by a specified deadline to be considered valid nominees for election.
Section 5.2. The names of the nominees for Director shall be mailed to the members in good standing at least 30 days prior to the annual meeting. Such mailing shall include a ballot for election. Ballots sent by mail or transmitted via email or Internet to the last known address of the members shall be considered a valid mailing. Ballots shall indicate that they must be returned to the Nominating Committee seven days prior to the annual meeting.
Section 5.3. The Nominating Committee shall tally the votes cast and announce the newly elected Directors (Board of Directors-elect).
Section 5.4. Following the annual meeting of the members, the Board of Directors-elect shall meet and elect from its members the officers of the action group, including the following Officers, who shall take office on the first day of July following their election: A President, Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.
At least one of the action group’s Officers shall be a past district governor. All Officers and Directors shall be Rotarians.
Section 5.5. A vacancy in the Board of Directors, or any office, shall be filled by action of the Board of Directors. A vacancy in the position of an Officer-elect, or Board of Directors-elect, shall be filled by action of the members of the Board of Directors-elect.
Section 5.6. A Director or Officer may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors, or, by a two-thirds vote of the membership.
ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS
Section 6.1. The Officers of the action group shall include a President, Vice-president, Secretary and Treasurer, and other such officers as may be deemed necessary by the Board of Directors. The terms of Officers shall be one year and shall coincide with the Rotary year. The Board shall establish an “executive committee,” composed of the President, Vice-President, and at least two other members of the Board to act on behalf of the Board when necessary and convenient to do so.
Section 6.2. The Officers shall perform the duties and functions usually attached to the title of their respective offices, together with those fixed by law, and such other duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS
Section 7.1. An annual meeting of the members may take place at the RI Convention each year at which time the installation of Officers and other business shall take place. The exact date, time, and location of the annual meeting of the members shall be announced to the members at least 60 days prior to the meeting, and such date, time and location shall be set by the Board of Directors.
Section 7.2. The annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall take place immediately subsequent to the annual meeting of the members and shall be open to any member.
Section 7.3. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the President, by any three members of the Board of Directors, or by one-third of the membership.
Section 7.4. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors under any provision of law, or otherwise, may be taken without a meeting if all of the members of the Board shall individually or collectively consent in writing to such action.
ARTICLE VIII - FISCAL MATTERS
Section 8.1. The fiscal year (Rotary year) of the action group shall be 1 July through 30 June following.
Section 8.2. The action group’s dues shall be set by the Board of Directors and shall be due on 1 July of each year. The action group’s dues shall be of a reasonable amount and limited to that necessary to cover administrative costs.
Section 8.3. Binding contracts shall be signed by any two of the President, Vice-President, and the Secretary.
Section 8.4. Funds shall be deposited in a financial institution approved by the Board of Directors.
Section 8.5. Unless otherwise ordered by the Board of Directors, disbursements of the action group’s funds shall be by check, signed by the Treasurer or the President for amounts not exceeding US$1500.00, and shall be signed by both the Treasurer and the President for disbursements of US $1500.00 or more.
ARTICLE IX - COMPLIANCE WITH REQUIREMENTS FOR RECOGNITION BY ROTARY INTERNATIONAL
Section 9.1. The action group shall comply with the requirements for recognition of Rotarian Action Groups, as set forth from time to time by RI, including, but not limited to:
1) Publishing a newsletter (which may be distributed solely by electronic means) for members at least once during each Rotary year, and file the newsletter and other important communications and documents with the general secretary of RI.
2) Holding an annual forum by way of a newsletter, annual meeting, or other activity appropriate to the action group, through which members can interact.
3) Responding to inquiries from members, potential members, and the general secretary of RI.
4) Submitting an annual report of activities, including a summary of service projects completed, cost of membership dues and a financial statement showing revenues and expenditures during the previous Rotary year, and a statement of funds on hand at the time of the report, to its members with a copy to the general secretary of RI by 1 October in each year.
5) Providing an annual financial statement and report, that has been independently reviewed by a qualified accountant or audit committee, to the members, and supply a copy to the general secretary of RI by 1 October in each year, if its annual gross receipts or expenditures amount to more than US$25,000 or equivalent.
If an audit committee approach is selected, then it must:
(a) be composed of at least three members;
(b) have all the members be active Rotarians;
(c) have at least one member who is a past governor;
(d) have at least one member with accounting and audit experience;
(e) not allow current officers to serve on the audit committee; and
(f) have the members selected by the action group at its annual meeting in accordance with the procedures established by the Rotarian Action Group.
6) Submitting a copy of any grant applications for funds in excess of US$25,000 or memoranda of agreements or partnerships with third parties to the general secretary of RI.
7) Maintaining minimum membership requirements for Rotarian Action Groups as may be set forth by RI.
8) Regularly undertaking service projects that fulfill the purposes of the action group, as set forth in Article 2.1 above.
The action group understands and accepts that recognition of the existence of the group by RI in no way implies legal, financial or other obligation or responsibility on the part of RI, or any RI district or Rotary club. The action group, and its members, directors and officers shall not act on behalf of RI, or represent or imply that they have authority to act on behalf of RI and agree to comply with RI policies on the use of the Rotary Marks by Rotary Entities, as set forth by RI from time to time.
ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS
Section 10.1. These bylaws may be amended at any duly called regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Directors. Written notice of such proposed amendment(s) shall be given to the Board of Directors and to the membership at least thirty days prior to the meeting. Such meeting shall be open to any member then in good standing.
Section 10.2. These bylaws may also be amended at any duly called regular or special meeting of the members of the action group by a majority vote of all members. Written notice of such proposed amendment(s) shall be given to the Board and to the membership at least thirty days prior to such meeting. Such meeting shall be open to any member then in good standing.
Section 10.3. Notwithstanding the above provisions, these bylaws may not be amended so that they conflict or are in any manner inconsistent with the standard bylaws for Rotarian Action Groups as promulgated by RI from time to time.
Leader PP Kim Pitt, Rotary Club of Kingston Team Patrick Fagan, Devonport, Associate Financial AdvisorDanny Gibson, Launceston, Promotions ManagerTamara Palmer, Geilston Bay, Child and Family Health NurseLaura Richardson, Ulverstone, Osteopath
