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Why make such a big deal out of meeting attendance?
The attendance rules may at times seem unnecessarily rigid, but being present at club meetings is one of the basic obligations a member accepts on joining a Rotary club. The constitutional rules emphasize that Rotary is a participatory organization that highly values regular attendance. When a member is absent the entire club loses the personal association with that member, and the member loses touch with the activities of the club. Attendance is the "glue" that holds the club together and provides the basic framework for service. It is a vital part of the operation and success of every Rotary club.

Each member should attend this club's regular meetings. However, meeting make-ups can be banked for any future meetings missed as follows:
Make-ups for an absence can be acquired in any of the following ways 14 Days Before or After the Meeting.  A member can fill out a Meeting Make-up Form available on the Home Page and present it to the Secretary when attending a make-up meeting.  If, within fourteen (14) days before or after the regular time for that meeting, you

  1. attend a regular meeting of another Rotary club, a Rotaract or Interact club, Rotary Community Corps, or Rotary Fellowship;

  2. attend a Rotary convention, a Rotary training institute, or any other meeting convened with the approval of the Club board of directors, a Rotary district conference, a Rotary district assembly;

  3. (attend and participate in a club service project, a club planning meeting, a club-sponsored community event (ie: Agur Lake Golf Tourney Committee) or a professional development program authorized by the board (ie: FoodSafe training);

  4. attend a board meeting or;

  5. participate in an e-club web meeting requiring an average of 30 minutes of participation

What are the basic Rotary rules for meeting attendance?
Except for members specifically granted an attendance exemption by the Board of Directors, all Active members are expected to:

A. Attend or make up at least 50% of club regular meetings in each half of the year.
B. If a member fails to attend as required in (a) above, the member's membership shall be subject to termination unless the Board consents to such non-attendance for good cause.
C. Unless excused by the Board for good and sufficient reason, each member who fails to attend or make up four consecutive regular meetings shall be informed by the Board that the member's non-attendance may be considered a request to terminate membership in this club. Thereafter, the Board, by a majority vote, may terminate the member's membership

Are there provisions in the rules for excused absences or attendance exemptions?

Yes. A member's absence may be excused if:
A. the absence complies with the conditions and under circumstances approved by the Board. The Board may excuse a member's absence for reasons that it considers good and sufficient; or
B. the member is eligible for an attendance exemption under the so-called Rule of 85.  For this to apply, the aggregate of the member's years of age and years of membership in one or more Rotary clubs is 85 years or more, and the member has submitted a written request to the Board, and the Board has approved the request.

Can I get credit for attending a meeting or a makeup if I have to leave the meeting early?
Yes. A member can be counted as attending either a regular or makeup meeting if he or she is present for at least 60% of the meeting, or is present and is called away unexpectedly and subsequently produces evidence to the satisfaction of the Board that such action was reasonable.

Can I be excused for missing a meeting if I am ill?
Yes, but only for a protracted illness. Remember, you have two weeks after a missed meeting to attend another club's meeting to make up.  So, to be excused due to illness, the illness must extend for at least a week or 10 days. If you are ill for a longer period, it is possible for the Board to grant an excused absence. See above.

If I am traveling out of the country, are there special attendance rules that apply?
Yes, in certain circumstances, although they are not too common.  If you are planning an extended trip abroad, and think you may have problems making up, you may want to see the Club Secretary for any special attendance rules that may apply.

If I am on jury duty and am unable to attend a regular club meeting, do I have to make up?
Yes. There is no provision for granting attendance credit to a member who is absent from a club meeting because of jury duty.