international yachting fellowship of rotarians (iyfr) general rules

INTERNATIONAL YACHTING
FELLOWSHIP OF
ROTARIANS
(IYFR)
GENERAL RULES
(Revised May 25, 2004)
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Table of Contents
Page
I. Name 3
II. Goals and Objectives 3
III.
IV.
RI Code of Policies for Fellowships
Records and Communications
3
6
V. Membership 7
VI.
International Organization
A. Fleets 7
B. International Officers 7
C. Term of Office 8
D. Duties of International Officers 8
E. College of Past International Commodores 11
F. Election of International Officers 11
G. International Officers’ Burgees and
Identification
13
VII. Accounting Procedures 13
VIII.
IX.
Organization of Fleets
A. Name 14
B. Election of Fleet Officers 14
C. International and Fleet Membership 14
D. International Roster and Dues 14
E. Fleet Burgees and Pennants 15
Amendment of General Rules
A. Rules Committee 16
B. IYFR Members 16
X. Certification 16
History of IYFR
IYFR Past International Commodores
17
18
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INTERNATIONAL YACHTING FELLOWSHIP OF ROTARIANS
I. NAME
The name of the organization is “The International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians”
(IYFR) and the members shall be known as “Rotary Mariners.” Fleets may also elect
to use traditional or local terms of reference for their members that identify their
relationship with Rotary or IYFR.
II. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
IYFR combines an acceptance of the principles of Rotary with a love of boats and the
sea, rivers and inland waters, and use the shared interest of yachting and seamanship as
an opportunity to advance and foster the object of Rotary. IYFR objectives are:
(a) To advance international understanding, goodwill and peace through a
world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideals of
service.
(b) To promote Rotary fellowship through cruising, yachting, racing, sailing,
kayaking and other activities involving boats and boating.
(c) To promote high standards of seamanship and abide by recognized yachting
customs and etiquette on the water.
(d) To support Rotary service projects and opportunities, on and off the water.
III. ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CODE OF POLICIES FOR FELLOWSHIPS
IYFR shall abide by the Code of Policies of Rotary International as stated below:
43.060. Rotary Fellowships
The Rotary Fellowships Program is a structured program of Rotary International.
43.060.1. Terms of Fellowships
A Rotary Fellowship is a group of Rotarians who unite themselves to pursue a specific
worthwhile activity, which advances the Object of Rotary, including, but not limited to
educational, health, vocational, environmental and recreational activities. Fellowship
activities must be conducted independently of RI, but must be in harmony with RI policy,
including the use of the Rotary's names and emblems. Fellowships may not be used to
promote religious beliefs, political issues, or other organizations. Recognition of a
Fellowship by RI in no way implies legal, financial or other obligation or responsibility
on the part of RI, or any district or club. A Fellowship may not act on behalf of RI, or
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epresent or imply that it has authority to act on behalf of RI. Fellowships must be selfsustaining
financially, administratively and otherwise. Fellowships may not exist or
function in any country in violation of the laws of such country.
43.060.2 Organization and Membership
A Fellowship shall have a governing document (charter, constitution, bylaws or similar
document), which must be consistent with RI policy. All governing documents and
amendments thereto, must be reviewed by the Fellowships Committee, if practicable, and
approved by the General Secretary. A Fellowship shall be organized with at least three
officers, one of whom shall be the chairperson (president or other administrative head)
and serve as a non-voting member-at- large of the Fellowships Committee. A
Fellowship's membership shall be open to all interested and qualified Rotarians. A
Fellowship may open its membership to interested and qualified spouses of Rotarians.
Fellowships are encouraged to accept Rotaractors into their memberships.
43.060.3. Criteria for Recognition as a Rotary Fellowship
All Fellowships must be approved for recognition by the Board. Applications for new
Fellowships shall be reviewed by the Fellowships Committee, if practicable, and the
General Secretary. The recommendations of the committee and the General Secretary
shall be forwarded to the Board. All applications shall be reviewed by the Board,
regardless of such recommendations.
To be recognized as a Fellowship, a Fellowship must:
1. Be a group of Rotarians representing at least three countries who share a common
interest in a specific worthwhile activity which advances the Object of Rotary. The
Board may reduce or waive the number of countries represented.
2. Be organized in accordance with RI policy;
3. Not duplicate the purposes of an existing Fellowship, unless approved by the Board.
Groups that are denied recognition after 1 July 2003 may not reapply for a period of
three years from the date of such denial.
43.060.4. Termination of Recognition
The Board may terminate a Fellowship's recognition by RI, with or without the consent
of the Fellowship's officers or members, for failure to function in accordance with RI
policy. Failure to respond to communications from the General Secretary for a two-year
period may result in termination of recognition of the Fellowship.
To maintain its status as a Fellowship, a Fellowship must:
1. Function in accordance with its recognized purpose and in accordance with RI policy;
2. Publish a newsletter (which may be distributed solely by electronic means) for
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members of the Fellowship in good standing, at least once during each Rotary year, and
file the newsletter and other important Fellowship communications and documents with
the General Secretary;
3. Hold an annual forum by way of a newsletter, annual meeting, or other activity
appropriate to the Fellowship, through which Fellowship members in good standing can
interact; and
4. Respond to inquiries from members, potential members, and the General Secretary.
43.060.5. Incorporation of Fellowships
Fellowships may incorporate. The advisability of incorporation is a matter for
determination by the members of the Fellowship in light of the Fellowship's activities.
Applications for incorporation must be submitted to and approved by the General
Secretary. The articles of incorporation of a Fellowship must include the following:
1) The Fellowship is not an activity or agency of RI; and
2) The Fellowship shall indemnify and hold harmless RI from any liability arising from
the activities of the Fellowship.
43.060.6. Fellowships at Conventions
An annual joint meeting of all Fellowships should be held immediately preceding or
during the Convention. An annual general meeting of each Fellowship should be held
immediately preceding or during the Convention. Fellowships are encouraged to arrange
pre- and post-Convention activities in connection with the Convention each year. The
Convention Committee should assist in organizing such meetings and publicizing
Fellowship activities at the Convention.
43.060.7. Fellowship Information in the Official Directory
The name, address and website of each Fellowship, and the name, contact information
and classification of the chairman of each Fellowship, shall be listed in the Official
Directory each year, provided that such information is submitted by the date set by the
General Secretary. No further descriptive information shall be included.
43.060.8. Promotion of Fellowships
Clubs and districts are encouraged to promote Fellowships, especially during the month
of June, Rotary Fellowships Month. Governors are encouraged to promote Fellowship
activities in monthly letters and to report at the district assembly or district conference on
progress in Fellowship activities for the year. Fellowships are encouraged to hold
recognition days to increase interest in their activities, and in Rotary in general. Each
Fellowship is encouraged to maintain a website to promote and inform its membership.
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43.060.9. Rotary Fellowships Logo
An official logo for the Rotary Fellowships Program has been adopted by the Board. The
General Secretary shall include the logo on appropriate publications, and make the logo
available on the RI website for downloading.
43.060.10. Statement in Publications
Fellowship newsletters, publications, brochures and websites must prominently display
the language “This Fellowship is not an agency of, or controlled by, Rotary International”
or similar language approved by the General Secretary. Following is an approved
example of how said language may be incorporated into a statement describing the
Fellowship.
“The International Golfing Fellowship of Rotarians is a group of Rotarians dedicated
to promoting golfing as an opportunity for fellowship and service. This fellowship
operates in accordance with Rotary International policy, but is not an agency of,
or controlled by, Rotary International.”
IV. RECORDS AND COMMUNICATIONS
A. In conformity with the policy of Rotary International, all serving the International
Bridge, regardless of nationality, must maintain all communications, records, and
accounts in the English language.
B: An IYFR Minute Book, including IC bridge meeting minutes, AGM minutes, IYFR
Rules, and AGM Amended Rules and, budget and financial statements shall be
maintained by the IC .
C: Computer software, websites, and maintenance of records are subject to approval of
the Executive Committee.
D. Three months prior to change of administration, the outgoing IC will provide the
incoming IC with copies of financial statements and other relevant documents to
facilitate the transition of the administration.
E. IYFR Historian: An IYFR Historian may be appointed by the International
Commodore, and may be reappointed for successive terms. The Historian's
responsibilities include assembling and maintaining records of publications,
photographs, recordings and other materials of historical significance to IYFR and
its membership, and to make such information available upon request to
International Bridge Officers.
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V. MEMBERSHIP
A. Membership in the fellowship shall be open to all Rotarians, former Rotarians,
honorary members of Rotary and members of affiliated Rotary organizations providing
they have an active interest in matters pertaining to the conduct and management of
vessels upon the water. A member does not necessarily need to own a vessel.
B. An Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be held each year in conjunction with the
annual Rotary International Convention. Each IYFR member in attendance may
vote.
C. A member of IYFR shall either be an Independent Member or a member of a
chartered fleet.
D. A member shall pay annual International Dues as determined by the Executive
Committee and approved at the following Annual General Meeting (AGM). A
member failing to pay dues shall be struck from the roster. Dues are payable per
Rotary year and are not prorated based on date of membership except that dues paid
by new members joining during a Rotary International Convention shall be considered
paid up for the next full Rotary year.
VI. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION
A. FLEETS
1. Ten or more members may organize and apply for approval as a ‘Chartered
Fleet’. One or more fleets in a country (or part of a geographically large
country) shall constitute a ‘Region’. Regions in the same geographical
location shall constitute one of three ‘World Areas’.
B. INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS
1. The International Bridge Officers of the Fellowship shall be:
Commodore
Vice Commodore
Rear Commodore
Rear Commodore (Administration)
Rear Commodore (Roster)
Rear Commodore (Public Relations)
Other officers appointed by the International Commodore
2. The Commodore, Vice Commodore and the Rear Commodore, as the elected
officers, shall constitute the “Executive Committee.” Their majority vote shall
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constitute a decision. Ideally the Executive Committee should be composed of
one member from each of the three geographical World Areas:
The Americas
Asia, Australia and the South and Western Pacific
Europe, Africa and the Middle East
3. The Regional Commodores.
C. TERM OF OFFICE
1. The term of office for all International Officers shall be for a period of not
more than two years in any one office, except that the Regional Commodores
may be re-elected or appointed to successive terms.
D. DUTIES OF THE INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS
1. Executive Committee
The Executive Committee members shall oversee the RCs in their geographic
Areas . They shall aid in the collection of delinquent dues, the maintenance of
existing fleets, the organization of new fleets and shall attend the RI
Convention, if possible. Together they should plan and execute the activities of
the fellowship, at the AGM, the RI Convention booth and the post convention
cruise. Should there be an Area without representation, the IC shall appoint
one of the three Executive Committee members to oversee it.
2. International Commodore [IC]
a. The IC shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the fellowship and ex-officio
member of all committees, and shall make the executive decisions not allotted
to the Executive Committee.
b. The IC shall be the Chief Financial Officer and responsible for the fiscal
soundness of the fellowship. The IC will bear responsibility for the collection
of dues, income from regalia sales and other sources, and for expenditures.
The IC may delegate authority to his IRC [Admin] and other officers to carry
out these duties.
c. Immediately following the AGM and prior to 1 July in each year in which
there is a change of administration, the outgoing IC will arrange a transfer to
the incoming IC a minimum of US$10,000 in liquid assets, in addition to any
merchandise maintained for sale. This will enable the new administration to
finance immediate administrative requirements, invoice the fleets and
Independent Members for annual dues and publish the “Rotafloat” bulletin.
The balance of the International treasury shall be transferred after completion
of the final statements by 1 September.
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d. The IC is responsible for all travel expenses when visiting fleets and is
expected to attend all RI Conventions. The IC is, therefore, authorized to
accept reimbursement of up to US$10,000 upon relief of office providing the
provisions of [c] above are met.
e. The IC shall appoint an IRC [Administration], IRC [Roster], IRC [Public
Relations], an Auditor and any other International Bridge Officers. Changes of
job descriptions and duties of appointed officers may be made as necessary to
assure a successful administration. For convenience and expediency, these
officers should preferably reside in the IC’s own area.
3. International Vice Commodore (IVC)
a. It shall be the duty of the IVC to assist the Commodore in the discharge of
official duties, and, in the absence of the IC or in case of a vacancy in the
office of IC, act as Commodore.
b. The IVC, along with the Commodore and the host IYFR committee shall be
responsible for planning, organization and conduct of IYFR activities at the
Rotary International Convention.
4. International Rear Commodore (IRC)
a. It shall be the duty of the IRC to support the IC and IVC in their duties, and, in
their absence act in their stead
b. The IRC shall be responsible, along with the IC, IVC and RCs for the
expansion of fleets and the promotion and organization of new fleets.
5. International Rear Commodore (Administration)
a. It shall be the duty of the IRC (Admin) to assist the IC, IVC, and IRC in
carrying out their duties and, in their absence, act in their stead.
b. The IRC (Admin) shall keep the minutes of all International Bridge meetings
and the AGM, circulate the minutes to members of the International Bridge,
and submit AGM minutes for publication in the next “Rotafloat”
c. The IRC (Admin) shall, with the IC and the International Bridge, prepare a
budget and submit it along with any applicable interim balance sheet and
income and expense statement to the membership at the AGM; every six
months shall submit an interim balance sheet and income and expense
statement to all Bridge members; and after each year of office, publish an
audited balance sheet and an audited income and expense statement in the
“Rotafloat” as soon as practical.
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d. The IRC (Admin) is authorized to collect the annual membership dues and
other receipts, disburse monies and control expenses. Annually, on or about 1
July, a billing for dues and request for updated roster information shall be sent
to each Independent Member and each Fleet Commodore and designated fleet
contact (Secretary or other person designated by the fleet).
e. The IRC (Admin) shall be responsible for maintaining authorized stocks of
Regalia and for the packaging and mailing of prepaid orders.
6. International Rear Commodore (Roster).
a. The IRC (Roster) shall assist the IRC (Admin) in carrying out official duties.
b: The IRC (Roster) shall be responsible, along with the IC, IRC (Admin) and
the IRC (PR), for maintaining a membership roster, approved by the Executive
Committee, on a website with capacity for editing and searches.
C. The IRC (Roster) shall provide the Bridge with reports on the status of fleets.
7. International Rear Commodore (Public Relations)
a. The IRC (PR) shall assist the IRC (Admin) in carrying out official duties and
is authorized to officiate when the IRC (Admin) is unavailable.
b. The IRC (PR) shall be responsible, along with the IC, for the preparation and
publication of the IYFR newsletter “Rotafloat” in accordance with Rotary
International Code of Policies.
c. The IRC (PR) shall be responsible for preparation and publication of
appropriate articles for club bulletins, District Governor newsletters, Rotarian
Magazine, Rotary and IYFR Internet Websites, and other news media.
8. Regional Commodores (RC’s)
a. Regional Commodores shall be responsible for communication between fleets
in their assigned regions, encourage inter-fleet and invitational rallies, act as
the International Bridge’s main liaison to the fleets, disseminate information,
aid in the collection of international dues and promote development of new
fleets in their regions.
b. RC's shall serve two year terms, and may be re-elected or appointed to
successive terms.
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c. When a RC position is vacant, the IC shall review candidates proposed by the
Fleets in that region and appoint a successor.
d. The RC (or designated fleet member) shall be responsible for assisting in
collection of dues and maintaining and updating IYFR website roster
information for members in the RC’s region.
E. THE COLLEGE OF PAST INTERNATIONAL COMMODORES
1. The College of Past International Commodores (CPC) is composed of all Past
International Commodores (PIC). The three most recent PICs are also members of
the Nominating Committee (NC). The outgoing IC becomes the Immediate Past
International Commodore (IPIC) and Chair of the Nominating Committee. The
CPC shall act in an advisory capacity and shall, whenever possible, make
themselves available upon request to all Fleet and International Officers.
F. ELECTION OF INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS
1. The International Rear Commodore shall be elected for a two-year term and shall
move up to Vice Commodore and International Commodore unless there are
extenuating circumstances. “The change of command” shall take place at the
AGM, but the new incoming IC will assume command of IYFR on 1 July.
2. Nominations for the election of the IRC and any vacancies shall be the
responsibility of a Nominating Committee composed of the three most recent Past
International Commodores, and the presiding IC, lVC, and lRC. The Immediate
Past International Commodore shall be the Chairman of the Nominating
Committee if available. If not available, the International Commodore may
appoint any Past IC as Chairman.
3. The Chairman shall circulate to all members, RCs and Fleet Commodores a
request to submit names for nomination for any forthcoming vacancies on the
Bridge. Providing suitable candidates are available, incoming IRCs should,
whenever possible, be elected from the same area as the outgoing IC. Nomination
forms should be forwarded to those RCs and Fleet Commodores in the area of the
outgoing International Commodore. Should there be no suitable candidate
available, nomination forms should then be sent to RCs and Fleet Commodores
from the other two areas. Nomination forms must be sent in time for the
nominations to be received by the Chairman by 31 December of the year
preceding the AGM.
4. The prescribed form for use when nominating a candidate for elective office shall
include a declaration signed by the candidate certifying that the candidate has
read, understands, and agrees to be bound by the provisions of these General
Rules.
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5. Any member proposing a candidate shall submit to the Chairman the consent of
the candidate, a resume of activities in Rotary and IYFR, together with a recent
photograph.
6. Members shall not campaign, canvass or electioneer for elective position in the
IYFR nor allow any such activity on their behalf; nor shall any brochures,
literature, letters, or other materials be distributed or circulated by members or on
their behalf to any fleets or members of fleets, except as may be authorized by the
International Bridge. Should candidates become aware of any prohibited activities
having been taken on their behalf, they shall immediately express their
disapproval to those so engaged, and instruct them to terminate such activity.
7. Following 1 January of the election year, a list of nominations together with the
voting forms shall be sent to all members of the nominating committee and all
PICs. Their ballots shall be sent back to the Nominating Committee Chairman so
as to be received no later than 31 March of that year.
8. In the event of a tie vote, the Chairman shall inform members of the nominating
committee immediately. Members shall reply stating their choice of candidate, and
the result will be circulated by the chairman to the committee. In the event of a
second tie vote, the IC shall break the tie by deciding between the two top
candidates The results of the election will be announced and ratified at the next
AGM.
9. The IRC (PR) shall publish the list of new International Officers in the first
“Rotafloat” newsletter published after the AGM.
10. In the absence of nominations for the Executive Committee, or as an interim
measure to fill a vacancy, a majority vote of the Nominating Committee members
may make interim appointments, subject to their ratification at the next AGM.
Should ratification not occur, the provisions of this article will apply.
11. All RCs shall be appointed by the IC after conferring with the Fleet Commodores of
that region. When a position of RC is vacant in a region, an interim appointment
may be made by the IC after reviewing candidates proposed by the Fleet Bridges of
that region . The creation or adjustment of regions or areas shall be by Executive
Committee decision. Interim appointments and creation or adjustments of regions or
areas are subject to ratification by the next AGM.
12. Officers appointed by the IC may be removed by the same IC. The IC, IVC, and
IRC may be removed from office by a vote of the majority of the Nominating
Committee.
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G. INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS’ BURGEES AND IDENTIFICATION
International officers may fly distinguishing burgees 68cm (27”) x 38cm (15”) with a
Rotary emblem of 15cm (6”) in diameter, together with five stars for the IC, four for the
IVC, three for the IRCs and two for the RCs. The stars shall be five pointed, each of
7.62cm (3”) on hoist, and evenly spaced. Gold stars, each 1.3cm (112”) in diameter on
top of a “Rotary blue” backing may be worn at the top of the left breast pocket of a shirt
or blazer, on a shirt collar or on epaulets. Gold bars may be worn on epaulets according
to custom of the wearer’s residence. Mini stars may be worn on top of a “Rotary blue”
field of 1cm (3/8”) long. On retirement from office the gold stars or bars shall be
replaced with silver stars and a silver edge shall be applied around the perimeter of
burgees. All may be flown or worn as appropriate at Rotary and IYFR functions.
VII: ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES
A. Accounts shall be maintained in accordance with GAAP (Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles) and applicable law where accounts are maintained.
B. The fiscal year will be the same as the Rotary year, 1 July to 30 June.
C. Bank accounts shall be authorized by the IC.
D. A budget shall be prepared annually and adopted by the Executive Committee.
E. Funds are not to be used to purchase any item of a capital nature,
i.e., computers, fax machines, etc.
F. The IC shall appoint an accredited accountant to conduct an official audit of the
IYFR accounts and financial statements. The audited financial statements shall be
published in the “Rotafloat”.
G. Budget Policy:
1) The operating budget is based on current, predictable annual dues income.
2) The operating budget does not include:
a) Projected income from IMs or fleets that did not pay dues for the
last year.
b) Dues collected from previous years that were overdue.
c) Other speculative or one time sources of income.
3) Income from other than current annual dues may be used to supplement
promotional materials, regalia inventory, operating reserves, or other
purposes permitted by the Rules, but should not be relied upon for planned or
required operating expenses.
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4) All fleets shall be treated equally; and all IMs shall be treated equally. IYFR
shall not provide any IM or fleet with benefits (e.g. hard copies of
publications) that cannot be sustained for the entire membership at current
dues levels. If additional benefits are desired, they shall be priced and
charged accordingly. For example, IMs may pay an additional charge to
receive hard copies. Fleets may pay something less per member for hard
copies, if there are economies of bulk mailing, and if they take responsibility
for local distribution. Fleets have the option of printing materials locally
within their own budgets.
5) The Regalia inventory shall be listed at cost of the acquisition.
VIII:
ORGANIZATION OF FLEETS
A. Name.
An organized group of ten or more Rotarians gathering under the IYFR banner in a
designated location may qualify to be recognized as a “Fleet”. A fleet’s name shall
be descriptive of a geographic feature where it is located. There may be several
fleets in a country or in an IYFR Region.
B. Election of Fleet Officers.
Each year, prior to the beginning of the Rotary International Year on July 1, fleets
should hold an AGM. A notice should be sent to all members. Fleet Officers shall
be elected for the ensuing year(s) annually or biennially as the fleet shall
determine. These officers shall include a Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear
Commodore, Secretary, Treasurer and other officers. The Fleet Commodore shall
be the primary contact person with the International Bridge.
C. International and Fleet Membership.
Fleet Rosters shall be maintained and updated as new members are enrolled. Each
member shall pay annual dues to the fleet as determined by its membership at a
previous AGM, in an amount to cover both the fleet’s requirements and the
international membership dues. On or about the beginning of each Rotary year,
each fleet is encouraged to publish (electronically or in print) the fleet roster for
their members, provide current IYFR website access codes, a calendar of the
fleet’s scheduled activities for the coming year, and bill each member for the total
annual member dues [International and Fleet].
D. International Roster and Dues.
Annually, on or about 1 July, the IRC [Admin] shall send each Independent
Member and each Fleet Commodore and designated fleet contact person (Secretary
or other person designated by the fleet) an IYFR dues invoice.
No later than 30 September, the Commodore or designated Fleet Roster Editor
shall update the IYFR website roster and ensure that international dues, in US
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dollars, are paid for fleet members Any IM or fleet failing to pay dues may have
access to IYFR communications and services suspended until the dues are
received.
The following membership information is requested for the International Roster
1. Member name
2. Mate’s name
3. Home address including street numbers/PO Box, city, state/province,
postal code and country
4. Work telephone number – including area code
5. Home telephone number - including area code.
6. Fax number – including area code
7. Cell Phone number – including area code
8. E-mail address
9. Rotary Club
10. Boat name
11. Boat type (Power, Sail, Other)
12. Boat Length (f (feet), m (meters)
13. Member Status (e.g. IM/FM/FVC/FRC)
E. Fleet Burgees and Pennants
1. Fleet burgees, pennants and other identification are evidence of membership.
Burgees and pennants are personal to members and may be flown on any ship
by courtesy of the ship owner, but only when the IYFR member is on board.
At a Rotary or IYFR function, the burgee should be flown as per the “flag
etiquette” of the country concerned. The composition shall be the gold Rotary
Emblem on a “Rotary Blue” field. The IRC [Admin] shall stock IYFR fleet
member pennants and IYFR fleet officer burgees. Each country or fleet will be
allowed to produce their own pennants providing that: “they are in the form of
a triangle, the Rotary Wheel at least half the hoist, 55cm (22”) in length and
30cm (12”) on hoist.
2. Officer burgees are stocked by the IRC [Admin]. They are in a swallow-tail
design, 55cm (22”) long and 30cm (12”) wide including the gold Rotary
emblem. Three gold balls on hoist, each having a diameter of 5cm (2”) shall be
evenly spaced for the Commodore, two gold balls for the Vice Commodore
and one for the Rear Commodore unless otherwise dictated by country
customs. A gold edge of approximately 2.5cm (1”) wide shall be attached to
all sides of the perimeter. Upon completion of office, gold balls and edging
shall be replaced with white.
3. All members shall be entitled to wear epaulettes or insignia as approved by the
member’s fleet and customary in their respective countries. It is recommended
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that any balls, bars or stars, etc, used, should be gold for current officers and
silver for retired officers.
IX: AMENDMENT OF GENERAL RULES
A. Rules Committee.
Before each change of administration, a Rules Committee shall be formed by
the IVC as incoming IC. The committee shall be chaired by the IVC and be
composed of the incumbent Executive Committee and other members as
appointed by the Executive Committee. The committee shall review the
General Rules and may propose any revisions for general updating or specific
changes. Proposed changes shall be circulated to the membership and shall be
presented for approval at the AGM.
B. IYFR Members.
Members wishing to propose alterations, additions, or deletions from the Rules
may do so by gaining a majority decision from a meeting of the originator’s
own fleet, whereupon the Fleet Secretary should submit proposals to the IRC
(Admin) not later than 16 April in any year. Independent Members,
International Officers or PICs may submit proposed amendments directly to
the IRC (Admin). Proposals shall be circulated to the Executive Committee
and, with the Executive Committee’s recommendation to approve or not
approve, circulated and presented to the membership at the AGM.
X: CERTIFICATION
These rules were approved as amended by the membership at the Annual General
Meeting held in Osaka, Japan on May 25, 2004.
Signed:
By
______________________________________________
Ferit Biren, International Commodore 2003-2005
By
______________________________________________
Bill Robinson, International Vice Commodore 2003-2005
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HISTORY OF IYFR
The International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians, formed in 1947 in Great Britain, is
recognized as the oldest of the Rotary Fellowships. It was to become the first of many
recreational fellowships formed with the World Fellowship Activities of Rotary International.
In 1947, Rotarian John G. Barrett of the Brixton Rotary Club of London, England, conceived
the idea of flying a burgee bearing the Rotary emblem on the masthead of his vessel. He
enlisted the help of fellow Rotarians from his own and neighboring clubs and proposed a new
yachting association of Rotarians. Rotary International approved this new Rotary recreational
fellowship under the name “The Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians.”
This fellowship quickly spread all over Great Britain and then throughout the world.
In 1956 at the Rotary International Convention, the first International Commodore from
outside Great Britain was elected. Bob Stuart of Chicago, Illinois, USA, took over the helm.
It was also about this time that the fellowship name was changed to “The International
Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians.”
The first international rendezvous of IYFR was held in 1964 in conjunction with the Rotary
International Convention of Toronto, Canada. Since that time, the fellowship has expanded
greatly with new fleets being added under the enthusiastic leadership of the many Past
International Commodores who have been elected from a diversity of countries within the
world of Rotary.
The Golden Anniversary of IYFR was celebrated in 1997 at the RI Convention in Glasgow,
Scotland. Past International Commodore Andrew Mitchell authored, produced and
distributed copies of the ‘Golden Jubilee 1947-1997’, a book commemorating the fifty years
of IYFR history.
An IYFR trophy which is presented to each incoming International Commodore, “The John
Barrett Bell,” was made by one of the founding fellowship members, Denis Dalby, and
presented to the fellowship in honor of our Founder, Commodore John G. Barrett.
Today, we are not only the oldest but probably the largest of the Rotary fellowships,
according to Rotary International. Over time, we have lost some of our earlier established
local Rotary yachting fleets, however we constantly continue to charter new ones.
There are about 100 active Rotary yachting fleets in 19 countries throughout the world:
Australia, Belgium, British Virgin Islands, Canada, China, Finland, Germany, Great Britain,
Ireland, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, Turkey, and the
USA.
Our membership is in the region of 3000 members, including about 250 ‘Independent
Members’ who are not affiliated with any of the fleets.
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INTERNATIONAL YACHTING FELLOWSHIP
OF ROTARIANS
PAST INTERNATIONAL COMMODORES
1947-1952 John G.Barrett London (GB)
1952-1953 A.Leslie Mower Stoke Newington (GB)
1953-1954 Lonard C.Horsnell Goodmayes (GB)
1954-1955 Jack A.Hope Goodmayes (GB)
1955-1956 Alfred Bellamy Goodmayes (GB)
1956-1958 A.Norman Cooke Worthing (GB)
1958-1959 Robert Stuart Chicago (USA)
1959-1960 Denis W.Dalby Barking (GB)
1960-1961 Chas. Ed Dearnley (USA)
1961-1962 Courtney C.Beckett Durban (South Africa)
1962-1963 Sheman Bushnell Seattle (USA)
1963-1965 Les P.Keating NSW (Australia)
1965-1967 Carl R.Miller Los Angeles (USA)
1967-1969 Charles E.Neale Ireland
1969-1972 Donald Lowness Rio de Janiero (Brazil)
1972-1974 Richard Willis NSW (Australia)
1974-1976 Earl Brannock Cambridge (USA)
1976-1977 Carl Beck Philadelphia (USA)
1977-1979 Al Natkin San Diego (USA)
1979-1981 Bill N.Thomas Massachusetts (USA)
1981-1983 Bert Collins Gold Coast (Australia)
1983-1985 Dr.Ken Warr Cape Town (South Africa)
1985-1987 Martin Lockney Newport Beach (USA)
1987-1989 Dr.Les Vasconcellos Honolulu, Hawaii (USA)
1989-1991 George Kent Victoria (Canada)
1991-1993 Andrew C.Mitchell London (GB)
1993-1995 Jack Keyser Victoria (Canada)
1995-1997 Frank McDonald Glenhaven, NSW (Australia)
1997-1999 Arnold Verkade Westzaan (The Netherlands)
1999-2001
2001-2003
Joe Phillips
Ken Winter
Honolulu, Hawaii (USA)
Auckland (New Zealand)
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