How Much Does It Cost to be a Rotarian?

Further to the article in the District 9910 Newsletter – October 2021

There are five sections to the TOTAL cost of Rotary membership, including fees fixed at an international
and a district level, club fees to cover operating costs, and other ‘discretionary’ costs where individual
members choose the amount and frequency of payment.

1. Rotary International fee

Who sets this? This is set at the Rotary International (RI) Board and are a condition of
membership to the organisation.
Where does this money go? This income from the worldwide membership goes towards the RI
website, the Online Learning Centre, Rotary social media sites, Rotary
videos and images; Governor training and support; etc.
Article from March 2019 ‘Rotary’ magazine on How does RI put your RI
dues to work for you
How is it invoiced? RI invoices each Rotary club directly, in advance, on 1 July and 1
January of the Rotary year.
How is it calculated? The per member fee is based on the number of active members and a
pro-rata of any who have joined since the last invoice.
Example:
Club A’s invoice on 1 July is for six months’ worth of 30 active members.
1 July (for July-Dec period) 30 active members 6 months $1,500.00
Two people join in September and two more in December.
Club A’s invoice on 1 January is for six months’ worth of 34 active members plus pro-rata of new
1 Jan (for Jan-July period) 34 active members 6 months $1,750.00
2 active members 4 months (Sep-Dec) $66.67
2 active members 1 month (Dec) $16.67
$1,833.34

2. Magazine subscription
Subscription to an official Rotary magazine is a condition of Rotary membership within the RI club
constitution. This can be either the international magazine (Rotary) or a regional magazine.
For D9910 the regional magazine is Rotary Down Under (RDU) and there are options for our non-English
speaking Rotarians in New Caledonia (Le Rotarien) or members of Rotary Auckland Korean (Rotary
Korean).
Who sets this? The cost is set by the magazine’s management team
Where does this money go? This income is used to pay for the management, production and
distribution of the magazine.
How is it invoiced? Members subscribed to ‘Rotary’ magazine are included in the invoice to
clubs from RI. Members subscribed to the regional magazines are listed
in an invoice sent directly to the clubs from the magazine, usually every six
months, in advance on 1 July and 1 January.
How is it calculated? The subscription per member is based on the names and choice of format
(postal or digital) provided by the club to the magazine. Additions, changes
and terminations should be advised to the following:
Rotary [email protected]
Rotary Down Under [email protected]
Le Rotarien [email protected]
Rotary Korean [email protected]

Note: Two members residing at the same address can receive one copy of the magazine

Supplement to article in District 9910 Newsletter – October 2021 by District Membership Lead, Elaine Mead
3. District fees
These are divided into a Training Levy and a District Levy
Who sets this? The Training Levy is determined by the Governor-Elect and the District
Training Lead.
The District Levy is determined by the Governor-Elect and District
Finance team. The District Levy is discussed and approved by the
incoming club Presidents in a budget-specific session at the Club
Leaders Seminar.
Where does this money go? The Training Levy covers resources, catering and venue costs for NZ-
based Presidents-Elect and Club Officer development sessions.
The District Levy covers district insurance; catering and venue for
district management meetings; Governor partner travel and
accommodation on official visits; district website platform; pro-rata
administration costs of Rotary New Zealand Clubs Charitable Trust to
enable sending money overseas; pro-rata costs for Rotary Oceania
Operations; Governor-Elect and Governor-Nominee development;
district public image material costs; archive storage; accounting
software; conference levy; office supplies.
Each club President received a copy of the district budget for their
review – you can ask them for a copy.
How is it invoiced? The Training Levy for the following Rotary year is invoiced directly to
clubs by the District Treasurer in October or November.
Example: The Training Levy which will be invoiced in November 2021 gathers
income to fund the preparation of incoming Presidents and club officers for
the 2022-23 Rotary year.

The District Levy is invoiced directly to clubs by the District Treasurer

around August of the current Rotary year.
How is it calculated? The training budget is zero-based each year and the per member
Training Levy calculated according to the number of active members
as at 1 July of the Rotary year in which it is invoiced.
The district budget is zero-based each year and the per member
District Levy calculated according to the number of active members as
at 31 December of the Rotary year prior to which it is invoiced.
For example: The District Levy for the 2021-22 Rotary year is based on the
number of active members in the district on 31 December 2020.

4. Club fees
Who sets this? These costs are usually set by the club board with information from the
Club Treasurer and based on the club’s plan for projects, events and
expenses. Check with your club.
Where does this money go? Determined by the club board but this income usually covers costs such
as club operating expenses, for example, venue hire; website;
accounting software; promotional material; new member material etc.
How is it invoiced? Determined by the club board.
How is it calculated? Determined by the club board.

5. Discretionary spend
These are the expenses which an individual chooses to spend on such as club events; district events such
as changeover, conference and learning sessions; Rotary promotional clothing or items; fundraisers;
donations, meals, drinks, raffles etc

Supplement to article in District 9910 Newsletter – October 2021 by District Membership Lead, Elaine Mead
Membership Subscription
Clubs set their membership subscription to cover the invoices from Rotary International, the relevant
magazines, the district invoices and its own operating expenses.
This is where clubs and members can influence the membership subscription by reviewing club operating
expenses for cost reductions and efficiencies.
Can the meal cost be reduced? Does the club meeting have to include a meal?
Can the meal be optional for members? Can the venue cost be re-negotiated?
Does the club have to meet at that venue? Does the club have to have a meeting every week?
Does every meeting have to be in person? Does the club need a PO Box?
Is the club getting the best deal on new member name badges?

There is more to the total membership cost than just fees but a straight fees comparison to a selection of
other ‘club’ subscriptions around the district shows Rotary membership compares relatively favourably.

Pupuke Golf Club Millennial membership (aged 19-32) $433.50 – 1,405.50

Les Mills 12-month multi membership $1,537
Bay of Islands Golf Club, Kerikeri (Full Playing aged 26-35) $670
Henderson Squash Club $499
Milford Cruising Club (aged over 20) $225
Mairtown Tennis Club, Whangarei $180
Royal Oak Bowls (full member) $150

Fundraising should be separate and not part of a subscription.

The breakdown illustrated below uses figures for the 2021-2022 Rotary year as at 1 July 2021.
Following the red lines – this is an example of the annual cost for an individual Rotary member in a NZ
based club who chooses to receive the Rotary Down Under (RDU) regional magazine digitally.

The tilde symbol (~) means ‘approximately’.

Supplement to article in District 9910 Newsletter – October 2021 by District Membership Lead, Elaine Mead
 Fixed Variable Choice
Rotary International (RI)
Per Member
USD$70
For example:
RI website; Online Learning ~NZD$100
Centre; project stories; videos;
Governor training etc

Rotary (posted)
Rotary Magazine C
~NZD$35
Subscription is a requirement h
o Rotary (digital)
of Rotary membership o
s ~NZD$18
Management, compilation and e
distribution of magazine.
o
RDU (posted)
Either ‘Rotary’ (international) n $44
or ‘RDU’ (regional) e
‘Le Rotarien’ for New Caledonia RDU (digital)
$35

District 9910 Levy

For example:
Insurance; public image material; $79.35
district meetings catering and incl GST
venue; district website;
accounting software; Zoom; office
supplies etc

District 9910 Training

Levy
(NZ clubs only) $12.65
For example: incl GST
Presidents-Elect and Club
Officers learning sessions $227
catering and venue; resources
~$4 per week
~$19 per month
Club Fee
Set by Board to cover club
operating expenses such as Final Sub
venue hire; website; promotional $??
material; new member resources;
??
etc

Discretionary Costs Total Cost

$??
Club events; district events; ??
Rotary promotional clothing;
fundraisers; donations, meals etc