In an effort to accommodate changes that have occurred in our professional environments, in family structures, and in personal commitments, the RI Board of Directors tests new ideas, methods, and organizational frameworks for clubs by conducting pilot projects. These projects are aimed at securing Rotary's future as a premier humanitarian service organization.

Currently, the Board is running the Meeting Frequency pilot (started 1 July 2007 and ending 30 June 2013), which allows participating clubs to meet on any schedule other than a weekly meeting.

In November 2010, the Board approved four new pilots to run concurrently from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2014 (Note: E-clubs are no longer considered pilot clubs).

2011-14 pilots

Four pilot programs will begin 1 July 2011 and run through 30 June 2014.

Associate Member Pilot

This pilot will allow an individual to become associated and acquainted with a Rotary club, its members, its programs and projects, and the expectations of club membership with the intent of becoming an active member within a designated period of time.

An associate membership category will increase the club's ability to attract and retain a qualified and diverse professional base within its community. It will also allow an individual to become familiar with the club, its members, its programs and projects, and the expectations of membership, thereby positively influencing recruitment and retention trends and improving the club's overall effectiveness in the community.

Corporate Member Pilot

This pilot will allow a corporation or company in the club's area to become a member of the Rotary club, through an established membership approval process, and to appoint up to four designees as the individuals attending club meetings, serving on projects, voting on club matters, serving as club officers and on club committees, and so on.

Feedback from numerous Rotary surveys and focus groups has repeatedly shown that prospective members and current younger Rotarians require flexibility in their Rotary club membership. This pilot is structured to research alternatives and options for Rotary membership and the resulting impact on membership trends and the club's overall effectiveness. A corporate membership category will increase the club's ability to attract and retain a qualified and diverse professional base within the community. It allows for flexibility and recognizes the tremendous mobility that is the norm within the current corporate environment.

Innovative and Flexible Rotary Club Pilot

This pilot will focus on letting clubs self-determine their operations to fit better with the needs of their members and community. Clubs would be authorized to make changes to the Standard Rotary Club Constitution and to their Rotary Club Bylaws in any area other than RI membership dues requirements.

The Innovative and Flexible Rotary Club Pilot Program will focus on letting clubs self-determine their operations to fit better with the needs of their members and community. It will also encourage clubs to conduct numerous tests to

• Try out different meeting logistics (time, date, location, online, use of social media, club event or social activity, and so on)
• Improve club leadership and oversight
• Create relevant and creative membership qualifications and requirements
• Update Rotary terminology to current language
• Shift the focus from meeting attendance to member engagement

Innovative and flexible Rotary clubs are fun, dynamic, diverse, resilient, tolerant, interested in trying new things, proactive, member driven, results oriented, resourceful, inspirational, and relationship rich. They support and strengthen their membership, focus and increase their humanitarian service, and enhance their public image and awareness.

Satellite Club Pilot

This pilot will assess the impact of allowing a Rotary club to conduct multiple club meetings during a week, each taking place at a different location, on a different day, and/or at a different time. Satellite clubs can be organized to assist in chartering a new club, to accommodate rural and remote areas or communities with small populations, to accommodate large metropolitan areas in allowing one club to provide several meeting times and locations, and in other situations.

Allowing Rotary clubs to conduct multiple club meetings during the week, each taking place at a different location, on a different day, and/or at a different time, will have a positive impact on a club's ability to appeal to different professional segments within a community and its surrounding area; attract and retain a qualified and diverse professional base; improve the overall effectiveness and success of its operations; and provide additional leadership opportunities for club members.