Standard RotaKids Club Constitution

Article 1 – Name

The name of this organization shall be the RotaKids Club of [Name of School/Community], sponsored by the Rotary Club of [Name of Sponsor Club], or by two or more sponsoring Rotary Clubs where a co-sponsorship model has been approved by the District. This club shall operate as an authorized district-led Rotary family youth program, established for children aged 7 to 12, with a one-year extension in either direction permitted upon approval of the sponsoring Rotary Club and in accordance with applicable local law. For informal and abbreviated use, the club may be referred to as RK [Name of School/Community] or [Name of School/Community] RK, consistent with the convention used within the Rotary family for sponsored clubs.

Article 2 - Object of RotaKids

The object of RotaKids is to introduce young children to the ideal of Service Above Self through activity-based learning. The club seeks to help children:

1. Develop leadership skills through community service.
2. Understand the value of ethical behavior through the RotaKids Pledge.
3. Foster international understanding and respect for others.
4. Bridge the transition into Interact (ages 12-18).

Article 3 - Sponsorship and Governance

1. Sponsorship: This club is organized and sponsored by the Rotary Club of [Name of Sponsor Club], or by two or more co-sponsoring Rotary Clubs where approved by the District. The sponsoring Rotary Club, or the designated lead sponsoring Rotary Club in a co-sponsorship model, exercises supervision and control over all activities, policies, and constitutional matters of the RotaKids club.

2. Multiple Club Sponsorship: A Rotary Club may sponsor more than one RotaKids club, and two or more Rotary Clubs may jointly sponsor one or more RotaKids clubs, provided that the District approves the arrangement and that one lead sponsoring Rotary Club is designated for certification, reporting, safeguarding coordination, and communication with the District.

3. Dual Models of Governance:

• A. School-Based: In a school-based club, day-to-day safeguarding and child protection procedures are administered by the educational institution under its existing policies and under a formal agreement with the sponsoring Rotary club. The sponsoring Rotary club remains responsible for ensuring that such agreement, adult supervision, parental consent, and local legal compliance are in place.
• B. Community-Based: In a community-based club, responsibility for safeguarding, financial management, insurance, supervision, and legal compliance rests with the sponsoring Rotary club and District, in compliance with local District regulations and national laws.

4. District Authority: The District Governor and the District RotaKids Committee Chair have final authority over the certification and continued operation of RotaKids clubs within the District.

Article 4 – Membership

1. Eligibility: Membership shall be open to children residing or studying within the community served by the sponsoring Rotary club who wish to participate in service-learning activities and whose participation is approved by a parent or legal guardian.

2. Age Limits: Membership is open to children typically aged 7 to 12. With the approval of the sponsoring Rotary Club and in accordance with local law, membership may be extended to children aged 6, or continued until the end of the Rotary year in which the member turns 13. Members approaching the upper age limit are encouraged to transition into an Interact club at the end of the Rotary year in which they reach the age of 13, ensuring continuity within the Rotary family.

3. The RotaKids Pledge: Every member shall commit to the following:
To be fair to all. To serve my community. To show respect for others.

Article 5 - The Gear of Service (Merit System)

The club shall adopt the RotaKids Gear of Service system to recognize the developmental progress of its members. This system is based on certified volunteer hours and leadership competence and is reflected on a single badge format containing two marker systems: three Level Markers and three Progress Markers.

• I. Level I: THE SOLID WHEEL - "TO BE" (Belonging): Representing the core unit and belonging to the Rotary family.
• II. Level II: THE SPOKED WHEEL - "TO DO" (Direction): Representing the individual contribution and specific roles within a project.
• III. Level III: THE COGWHEEL - "TO MULTIPLY" (Leadership): Representing the power to move others and lead community initiatives.

Article 6 - Officers and Leadership

The leadership of this club shall consist of a RotaKids Board, including a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. All officers shall be elected by the members and supervised by a Rotarian Advisor and/or a Faculty Advisor. To be eligible for the office of President, a member must have completed at least one full year of active membership in the club, or hold at minimum the Level II (Spoked Wheel) award of the Gear of Service recognition system.

Article 7 – Meetings

1. Meetings shall be held at least once per month at a time and place suited to the school or community environment.
2. A quorum for any meeting shall be a majority of the active membership.
3. The Rotarian Advisor shall attend all meetings of a community-based club. In the case of a school-based club, the Rotarian Advisor is required to attend at minimum the monthly board meetings; regular membership meetings shall be supervised by the Faculty Advisor.

Article 8 - Fees and Dues

1. RI Dues: There shall be no fees or dues payable by this club or its members to Rotary International.
2. District Dues: There shall be no fees or dues payable to the District. Funding for activities shall be provided by the sponsoring Rotary club, voluntary donations, or service-learning fundraising projects organized by the RotaKids members.

Article 9 - Relationship with Rotary International

This club is not a member of Rotary International but is recognized as a part of the Rotary family through its charter with the sponsoring Rotary club and the District. Rotary International authorizes the use of the RotaKids name, official logo, and programme framework under the recognized district-led model, but assumes no legal, financial, safeguarding, or operational liability for the club’s activities.