Clubs often ask if there are guidelines for honorary membership in a Rotary Club. From the Manual on Procedures: "Persons who have distinguished themselves by meritorious service in the furtherance of Rotary ideals and those considered friends of Rotary for their support of Rotary’s cause may be elected to honorary membership in more than one club."
For the Manual of Procedures (click here).
4.050. Honorary Membership
Clubs may elect honorary members for terms set by the club board, who shall:
(a) be exempt from paying dues;
(b) not vote;
(c) not hold any club office;
(d) not hold classifications; and
(e) be entitled to attend all meetings and enjoy all other privileges in the club, but have no rights or privileges in any other club, except to visit without being a Rotarian’s guest.
Persons who have distinguished themselves by meritorious service in the furtherance of Rotary ideals and those considered friends of Rotary for their support of Rotary’s cause may be elected to honorary membership in more than one club.
The club will be billed for a magazine subscription for honorary members – but not for dues. And, Honorary Members are not active. So, they are not included in the member count for things like the Rotary Citation.
In a conversation with Rotary International it was advised that we should not use Honorary Membership simply to avoid dues.