In Rotary, Are Boards of Directors Useful?

    YES, providing the Directors know what they are supposed to do and do it!! 

    The primary function of all Boards of Directors is to ensure that the organization continues to fulfill its mission - its purpose for existing.  The only purpose of Rotary International (R.I.) and its member clubs is to create Rotarians so clubs, individually and collectively, can accomplish Rotary's objective - advancing the Object of Rotary.     In large organizations such as R.I., directors should not manage the organization, but they should be satisfied that the organization is effectively managed.  In small organizations, those without staffs, the directors are usually heavily involved in operations.  But whether the organization is large or small, the directors should:

• be solidly behind the organization's differentiating purpose and objective,
• ensure that the organization has sufficient leadership and resources to achieve its objective, and
• have readily available metrics so they can ask enough critical questions to ensure that the organization is headed in the direction it should.

    Only with full, objective transparency can directors fulfill the reason for their existence - providing informed advice, guidance, and differing viewpoints.  For member type organizations like R.I. and its member clubs, the critical metrics relate to creating Rotarians - membership.  The prime membership metrics are Retention and Growth rates. When combined, these make up a key metric - the RG Index.  These are the only universal easy-to-understand metrics regarding the effectiveness of any Rotary club in any social fabric. 

 These metrics should be available to all levels of Rotary leadership.  Are they?  Since all necessary information is given to R.I., making this information transparent to all Rotarians would be an invaluable service R.I. could deliver.