Rotary clubs operate under the Standard Rotary Club Constitution, originally adopted in 1922. It contains the club's name, definition of its territorial limits, and rules for regular club meetings, membership, attendance, admission fees and dues. It provides for a board of directors as the club's governing body and a president and other officers. Their terms of office — like those of international and district officers — begin on 1 July each year.

A club’s bylaws further define it’s operating procedures as laid out in the club’s constitution. Most Rotary clubs adapt the Recommended Rotary Club Bylaws to reflect their operations and goals. The recommended bylaws include a club committee structure to carry out the annual and long-range goals of the club. The five recommended committees are

• Club Administration
• Club Public Relations
• Membership
• Service Projects
• The Rotary Foundation

Clubs should appoint additional ad hoc committees or subcommittees as needed to address service and fellowship goals.

Clubs are encouraged to implement the Club Leadership Plan, the recommended administrative structure for Rotary clubs. The Club Leadership Plan outlines the best practices of an effective Rotary club, which are based on the experience of Rotary clubs around the world during our first century of service.

source: www.rotary.org 07/19/07