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RIBI

As we know, Rotary is truly an international organization. Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland is actually known as   RIBI  … or Rotary International Britain and Ireland. … As the name suggests it the association of Rotary clubs within England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

In May 1914 clubs in Great Britain and Ireland met in London and agreed to form  the British Association of Rotary Clubs. Later that year at the International Convention in Houston, this association was recognized as a legitimate extension of Rotary.

By 1922, when Rotary changed its name to ROTARY INTERNATIONAL, they established a principle that any country with at least 25 clubs could become a territorial unit and have representation on the RI board.

Britain requested and received this designation. They then became RIBI  – Rotary International Britain & Ireland.

No other group in the world asked for this special designation and the territorial concept was abandoned 5 years later, in 1927. Nevertheless, these special rights and privileges were forever protected.

Therefore, RIBI continues to function as the one and only independent unit of RI.

They have their own versions of the constitutions and policies. While their web site is similar to others, it does note that is   PART OF ROTARY INTERNATIONAL.   Something no other area needs to mention.

Currently, there are 53,000 members in 1,850 clubs – about 29 members/club. This is slightly less than the average world wide club membership of 36.