Rotary's governance documents provide the structure for Rotary International's policies and procedures.
Rotary’s constitutional documents
The constitutional documents are the primary governing documents for RI. They provide the foundation of RI's policies and procedures for clubs and districts.
- Constitution of Rotary International (PDF) (Word)
- Bylaws of Rotary International (PDF) (Word)
- Standard Rotary Club Constitution (PDF) (Word)
These documents are updated every three years by the Council on Legislation. Learn more about the Council on Legislation.
Manual of Procedure
The Manual of Procedure is published every three years to reflect the updated constitutional documents, with the changes adopted by the Council on Legislation. The manual also includes Rotary's Strategic Plan, the Recommended Rotary Club Bylaws, and the Bylaws of The Rotary Foundation. Clubs and districts are guided by the Manual of Procedure.
Rotary's governance documents
In addition to the constitutional documents, Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation have governance documents that detail policies and procedures. These documents can be updated by the RI Board or TRF Trustees at one of their regular meetings. These documents include:
Recommended Rotary Club Bylaws
The Recommended Rotary Club Bylaws provide structure and help clubs govern themselves according to RI's policies and procedures. Clubs can tailor the club bylaws, provided their changes align with Rotary's constitutional documents and the Rotary Code of Policies. If you have questions about your proposed changes, please submit them to the general secretary.
Codes of Policies
The Rotary Code of Policies compiles all of the organization’s general and permanent policies. The revised version is available after each meeting of the RI Board and the Council on Legislation. A separate document outlines amendments made to the code whenever it is updated.
The Rotary Foundation Code of Policies is maintained in a separate document. A revised version is available after each meeting of The Rotary Foundation Trustees.
Rotaract governance documents
All Rotaract clubs automatically adopt the Standard Rotaract Club Constitution (PDF) (Word), and changes can be made only by the RI Board. Recommended Rotaract Club Bylaws supplement the Standard Rotaract Club Constitution and set common club practices. Clubs are welcome to adapt the Recommended Rotaract Club Bylaws, provided the changes do not conflict with RI's constitutional documents, the Standard Rotaract Club Constitution, and the Rotary Code of Policies.