Update from RI President Elect Holger Knaack
On May 7th RI President Elect Holger Knaack sent an update to all districts regarding RI’s stance on holding meetings. He explained that the RI Board of Directors met in April and took several important actions in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic to protect the health and safety of all participants in Rotary programs, meetings, and events. He is asking for our support in adapting to our new environment and all the changes that are happening.
Most importantly, the Board decided that no in-person Rotary meeting or event shall be mandatory. Anyone who feels uncomfortable attending because of the pandemic, will be permitted to skip in-person events. He says that this is a major change for us, and an essential one if we are to properly care for all Rotarians and Rotaractors and continue to put their health and safety first.
He goes on to say that we all want to get back to seeing each other face to face, but we have to be especially careful, given the international nature of our connections and service. We do not know how long the COVID-19 pandemic will last or when there will be vaccine. He says that we also have a special responsibility to be an international leader in public health. For these reasons, all conveners and organizers of Rotary meetings are asked to consider current health and safety first when making decisions to hold in-person meetings.
He adds that organizers shall fully comply with all health and safety rules in effect in their location, going above and beyond local rules, when appropriate. To that end, all RI Board meetings and RI committee meetings for the 2020 calendar year will be conducted virtually (and not in-person). Additionally, Governors are encouraged to use virtual meetings for club visits that occur during the 2020 calendar year.