About club leaders

E ach year, Rotary clubs elect their leaders to provide guidance and direction. The leaders of a Rotary club include:

• President and president-elect
• Vice-president
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Sergeant-at-arms
• Board members (to be determined by the club)
• Club committee chairs

Club president

Each year, Rotary clubs elect one member to serve as club president. A club president leads and guides a club to ensure that it functions effectively.

The year before becoming president, the president-elect prepares for the responsibilities of the office.

Club president responsibilities

A club president

• Runs club meetings
• Presides at club board meetings
• Appoints club committee chairs and members
• Ensures that each committee has definite objectives and is functioning consistently
• Holds regular club assemblies
• Cooperates with the district governor in various club and district Rotary matters and handles all correspondence promptly
• Creates a club budget and manages club finances, including an annual audit

For more information on responsibilities, read the Club President’s Manual.

Club president-elect responsibilities

A club president-elect

• Attends the presidents-elect training seminar
• Serves as a director on the club board
• Begins planning for the presidential year

All incoming club presidents must attend a presidents-elect training seminar (PETS) before taking office. During this seminar, incoming presidents learn about Rotary, as well as their role and responsibilities.

Presidents-elect are encouraged to read the Club President's Manual (PDF) before PETS so they’ll be prepared to discuss their duties and goals for the coming year.

Club presidents-elect receive additional training at the district assembly.

Vice-president

A club vice-president presides at meetings of the club and the board in the absence of the president.

Secretary

The club secretary helps with many of the administrative tasks related to the operation of a club, including taking attendance, record keeping, writing meeting minutes, and reporting to RI (including the semiannual report).

Treasurer

The club treasurer is responsible for the management and stewardship of club funds.

Sergeant-at-arms

During Rotary club meetings, the sergeant-at-arms maintains order, encourages fellowship among members, and assists the club officers as needed.

Board members

The board is the governing body of a Rotary club. Members typically include the president, vice-president, president-elect, immediate past president, secretary, treasurer, and a number of general directors as determined by the club. Board members are elected by club members.

Club committee chairs

Club committee chairs are appointed by the club president-elect for the coming year. They convene regular committee meetings and activities, supervise and coordinate the committee’s work, and report to the club board on committee efforts.

Each of these club leaders may have other duties as determined by club.