A Periodic e-Newsletter to Rotary Leaders across Zones 23 & 24 and Beyond

February 1, 2008
Issue 8

RI Board Adopts Tentative Rezoning Plan

Following up on actions taken during the 2007 Council on Legislation, the RI Board of Directors, at its January 2008 meeting in Evanston, approved a Zones Realignment Plan that will impact most zones worldwide. NOTE: The Board’s action is tentative until it adopts the plan in its final form at its June 2008 meeting.

A 34 member Zones Realignment Committee composed of all RI Directors, Immediate-Past RI Directors and RI Directors-elect was established to develop the plan. The committee was divided into three regional groups representing (a) Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines; (b) Europe, Middle East, Africa and RIBI; and (c) the Americas: North, South and Central. (Serving on the 16-member “The Americas” Group were RID Monty Audenart (Zone 22), RID Paul Netzel (Zone 24), PRIVP Jerry Hall (Zone 23), RIDE Phil Silvers (Zone 25).

Realignment criteria was based on the objective to have all zones, worldwide, average 35,432 Rotarians. A 10 percent variance from the average was authorized, permitting a range of 31,888-38,972 Rotarians within each zone.

What’s next?
Rotary clubs and districts are invited to comment on the plan. Additional information on the plan can be found on the Rezoning Page of our Zone Website, and on the RI Website (a notice will be sent to all district governors once the RI site is available).

When will the Zone Realignment Plan become Effective?
No changes will take place until after the RI Board adopts a final version of the plan at its June 2008 meeting. From 1 July 2008 there will be a phase in over the ensuing three years with the full implementation becoming effective 1 July 2011. (Note: a special three-member committee of the RI Board will develop a transition schedule for GETS/GNAT training, Institute marketing, RRFC and RRIMC appoints for the Board's consideration at its June 2008 meeting.)

How will the Zones Realignment Plan Impact Zones 23 & 24?
On, if not before, 1 July 2011: Zones 23 & 24 will change numbers to 25 & 26, respectively. Further, Zone 22 will become Zone 24. In addition, D5020 and D5080 will move entirely into what is the existing Zone 23; D5050 and D5060 will move entirely into what is the current Zone 22. Arizona’s three districts (D5490, D5500 and D5510) will move into the current Zone 24. Selection of RI Director Nominating Committees starting with the September 2009 selection process will be comprised of PDGs from the districts in the new zone realignment.

Where can I turn for more information?
Click here to go to the Zones Realignment page on our Zones 23/24 Website. There you’ll find a map of the proposed realignment of districts for Zone 23 (25) and Zone 24 (26) as well as other useful information.

In addition, RI will soon activate a link to its Website with additional information on rezoning.

How can I express my views on the Zone Realignment Plan?
You are urged to send me (pnetzel@earthlink.net) and PRIVP Jerry Hall (jhallreno@sbcglobal.net) your comments on the Zone Realignment Plan to date, and on updates as they become available. We will forward your comments to others at RI, as appropriate.

In the meantime, thank you for your interest in this topic and for helping us to advance to the next stages of this important process.

Let us not lose sight of the fact that while this issue is one of considerable interest to current/future and past officers of Rotary – the vast majority of Rotarians and Rotary clubs have little or no idea that "zones" exist in Rotary, and if they do, why they exist.

Rotary zones are largely an administrative convenience for the selection of RI Directors and the coordination of certain key training events. The Rotary world doesn't rise or fall based on the alignment of zones. Nonetheless, during this period of transition, we know there is keen interest in the process and some may have strong opinions.

Let's help our colleagues remember that we're all on the same team working to accomplish common goals. Ultimately it's what happens in the individual Rotary clubs that count. That's where the real work gets done as Rotary Shares.

Paul Netzel
RI Director 2007-09
Zones 23-24

You can find more information on Zone events on the Zone Website Calendar.

Your Comments are Welcome. Please click here: pnetzel@earthlink.net to send RID Paul an email to share your comments and/or to offer suggestions for future e-Briefs topics.