Purpose
Rotary International encourages member disputes to be resolved at the local club level whenever possible, guided by the Rotary Code of Conduct and the Four-Way Test. District 7980 is developing a Conflict Resolution Team to support Rotarians when concerns cannot be resolved within their club. The team’s purpose is to provide a safe, confidential, and neutral place for Rotarians to discuss concerns, better understand conflict, and identify constructive next steps that are “fair to all concerned.”
District 7980 Conflict Resolution Team
Process
When a grievance or conflict arises, a member should first bring the concern to the Club President or Club Board. If the matter cannot be resolved at the club level, the member may seek support from the District 7980 Conflict Resolution Team.
The team will:
Listen to individual Rotarians in a confidential and respectful setting
Help members navigate conflict within their club
Provide resource information and options for next steps
Support strategies aligned with Rotary’s mission, standards, Code of Conduct, and Four-Way Test
Identify general patterns or concerns that may need District-level attention
The team will be guided by the International Ombudsman Association’s four core principles: Confidentiality, Informality, Neutrality, Independence.
Payoff
The Conflict Resolution Team is intended to help Rotarians address concerns constructively while strengthening trust, fairness, and fellowship across District 7980.
By offering a safe and confidential resource, the team can help individuals feel heard and supported. At the same time, the team will report quarterly to the District Board using non-attributed data about the types, causes, and frequency of informal cases. These reports will help District leadership recognize patterns, address recurring concerns, and identify opportunities to improve clubs and membership. In this way, the team supports both individual Rotarians and the broader health of our District. The initial three-member team is comprised of extraordinary Rotarians serving our District, Crystal Engram, Paul Begemann and Mark Soboslai, who represent legal and mediation fields. We thank them for their willingness to serve. Beginning September 1, 2026, you may initiate the process with them through email contact after attempting resolution at the Club level. The team will also periodically conduct information sessions about conflict resolution on the personal and Club level.