The purpose of this policy on the use of the Internet and electronic communications is intended to provide assistance and guidance to Rotary districts, Rotary clubs and members of Rotary clubs as an increasing number of Rotarians take advantage of electronic communications and sites on the Internet and the World Wide Web to promote service efforts.
II. INTERNET AND WORLD WIDE WEB
Rotary International ("RI") World Wide Web Site: Rotary International has established and will maintain a site on the World Wide Web (WWW). Within their budget and other considerations and limits, Rotary districts and Rotary clubs are encouraged also to establish and maintain sites on the World Wide Web and other areas on the Internet to further the Object of Rotary.
Rotary International: The site of Rotary International on the WWW will be maintained primarily as a source of information about the programs of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation and as a means of communicating with Rotarians and others about important events occurring at the international level. The RI WWW site also will provide links to sites maintained by Rotary districts and Rotary clubs that are in compliance with these policies.
Rotary Districts: A Rotary district site on the WWW should be maintained primarily to inform Rotarians and others about: a) important events occurring within the district; b) programs and projects undertaken by the districts and the clubs within the district; c) other special Rotary related information about activities within the district. A Rotary district must provide a link from its site on the WWW to the WWW site of RI.
Rotary Clubs: A Rotary club site on the WWW should be maintained primarily to inform Rotarians and others about: a) important events relating to the club; b) programs and projects undertaken by the club; c) the meeting time and place of the club; d) other special Rotary related information about activities of the club. A Rotary club must provide a link from its site on the WWW to the WWW site of RI.
Other Recognized Rotary Entities: A site on the WWW established by a recognized Rotary entity, such as a Rotaract club, an Interact club, a Rotary fellowship or a RVC, should be maintained primarily to inform Rotarians and others about: a) important events relating to the entity; b) programs and projects undertaken by the entity; c) the meeting time and place of the entity; d) other special related information about activities of the entity. A site on the WWW maintained by a recognized Rotary entity must provide a link from that site to the WWW site of RI.
Use of the Name and Emblem: The use of the Rotary emblem and the words "Rotary club," "Rotary International," "Rotary," "Rotarian" or any of the other Rotary marks in any manner not authorized by the Constitution and Bylaws of RI, or by action of the RI Board of Directors, is forbidden and all Rotary Districts, member clubs, individual Rotarians and other recognized Rotary entities shall conform to this provision. Rotary districts and member clubs must refrain from the use of the word “Rotarian” as part of the name or title of any document or publication placed on the Internet. The word, "Rotary," may not be used without a qualifier in order to indicate source by any Rotary district, Rotary club, other recognized Rotary entity or members of Rotary clubs. (The word, "Rotary," without a qualifier, indicates that the source is RI. Programs, sites and other communications not originated from, or directly sponsored or endorsed by RI, must contain a qualifier of "district," "club," or other source.) Any reproduction of the Rotary emblem or other emblems or logos of RI must be downloaded from the format emblems provided in RI's WWW site. These are the only emblems which may be reproduced in all electronic communications, including sites on the WWW and other areas on the Internet.
Commercialization Forbidden:
Any use of a site on the WWW or on the Internet by a Rotary district, a Rotary club, other recognized Rotary entity or an individual Rotarian for a commercial purpose is forbidden. No licensing of the Rotary name, emblem or other Rotary marks will be permitted for any Rotary district, Rotary club, other recognized Rotary entity, individual Rotarian or non-Rotarian to establish, develop, maintain, or otherwise service a WWW site on the Internet or other electronic site.
A WWW or other electronic site of a Rotary district, club, other recognized Rotary entity or an individual Rotarian shall not be linked to any commercial WWW site or other location on the Internet maintained for a commercial purpose, and the Rotary name, emblem or other Rotary marks shall not be used to point to any commercial WWW site or other location maintained for a commercial purpose.
Recognition of Donation of WWW or Other Electronic Site: A Rotary district, club, other recognized Rotary entity, or individual Rotarian may provide recognition in the WWW or other electronic site for the donation of that electronic site to the recognized Rotary entity by a commercial benefactor.
Membership Lists: A WWW or other electronic site of a Rotary district, club, other recognized Rotary entity, or individual Rotarian shall not contain the addresses (mailing or electronic mail) or telephone numbers of any individual Rotarians without the specific, written consent of the individual Rotarian. A WWW or other electronic site of a Rotary district, club, other recognized Rotary entity or individual Rotarian shall not use the Official Directory or any part thereof in its WWW or other electronic site.
Circularization of Rotary clubs prohibited: A WWW or other electronic site of a Rotary district, club or other recognized Rotary entity shall not be used to solicit financial aid or support from any other Rotary district, from any Rotary club, from any other recognized Rotary entity or from any individual Rotarian unless and until it first secures the specific authorization of the RI Board of Directors. The Board does not look with favor upon the use of electronic communications and sites on the Internet for such purposes. Recognized Rotary entities may seek or invite new members through the use of the Internet, provided that the amount of annual dues or other charges are clearly set forth in the solicitation.
