Elections

Every year, Rotaract Great Britain and Ireland invites Rotaractors to stand for election to its Board of Directors. Serving on the Board is an opportunity to contribute to the leadership and direction of Rotaract in Great Britain and Ireland.

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2026 Board Elections

The Board of Directors is the core executive team responsible for the day-to-day operation and strategic coordination of Rotaract Great Britain and Ireland (GBI).

Acting on behalf of the Multi-District Information Organisation (MDIO), the Board has delegated authority to make decisions, take appropriate actions, and manage the affairs of Rotaract GBI in the best interests of its members.

Each Rotary year, the District Rotaract Representatives (DRRs), forming the Rotaract GBI Council, elect members to serve on the Board of Directors.

Any Rotaractor who is a member of a Rotaract club within Great Britain and Ireland is eligible to stand for election. Directors serve a one-year term and can be part of the Board for up to three years.

Together, elected and co-opted Directors form a Board that is both representative of the membership and equipped with the skills and experience needed to support Rotaract clubs, deliver programmes and initiatives, and advance Rotaract across Great Britain and Ireland.

  • The Chair-Elect shadows the responsibilities of the Chair, develop their own strategic aims, build upon and create new relationships with key stakeholders and be prepared to become the Chair of the MDIO in a year's time.

  • The Finance Director is responsible for overseeing the financial affairs of the MDIO, including the preparation of budgets, financial reports, grant and funding applications, management of funds, coordination of audits and compliance filings, support of long-term financial planning, assessment of financial risks, impact mapping and ensuring adherence to all applicable financial regulations and policies.

    The Finance Director is also the Treasurer where this is required.

  • The Action Director serves as the Secretary of the MDIO and is responsible for maintaining accurate and complete records of all meetings, including preparing and distributing meeting agendas and minutes. The Action Director manages correspondences, maintains records and ensures the work of the MDIO is progressing as agreed and required.

  • The Experience Director is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation and continuous improvement of Rotaractors experience. This includes managing engagement strategies, curating programmes and events that align with Rotaract, gathering and analysing feedback to inform improvements and ensuring a consistent, high-quality experience across all touchpoints.

    The Experience Director is the “Country Representative” as part of Rotaract Europe and the formal representative of districts in Great Britain and Ireland. International travel is required as part of this role.

  • The Communications Director is responsible for managing and directing the MDIOs internal and external communications. This includes developing communication strategies, overseeing branding and messaging, managing public relations and media outreach and ensuring consistent and effective communication across all platforms, including digital, print and social media.

  • The Training Director is responsible for the development, coordination, and implementation of educational and training programmes that support Rotaractors and those connected to the work of the MDIO. This includes identifying training needs, creating and maintaining curricula, facilitating workshops or learning sessions and ensuring access to relevant resources and materials.

Directors play a key role in shaping the direction of Rotaract GBI and the opportunities we create for our network. This is an exciting chance for passionate, forward-thinking Rotaractors to step forward and bring fresh ideas, energy and vision to the Board. I encourage anyone who wants to help Rotaract GBI grow, innovate and make a lasting impact in our communities to apply.

— Chloe Rollings, 2026/27 Chair of Rotaract Great Britain and Ireland

Learn More About Rotaract GBI
Learn More About Chloe

How to Apply?

To apply to be a candidate in the election you'll need to complete a short form. On this form we'll ask you for your name and contact information. We will also ask you for information about which Rotaract club you're part of and for your MyRotary number.

On the application form you'll need to answer three questions; who are you, why you're interested in joining the Board and what you could bring to the role. Your answers to these questions will create your candidate statement which will be shared with DRRs before voting starts. You've got up to 2000 characters to answer each of the questions and can get examples of what you might include in your application by reading the drop downs on this page.

  • In your response, you may wish to include:

    • How and when you first became involved in Rotaract

    • Clubs, districts, or roles you have been part of

    • Key experiences, projects, or achievements during your Rotaract journey

    • What you enjoy most about being a member of Rotaract

    • Skills, interests, or experiences outside Rotaract (e.g. professional, academic, or volunteering background)

    • Anything else you would like members to know about you as a person

    This question is an opportunity to introduce yourself to the DRRs who will be voting and share the experiences that have shaped your involvement in Rotaract.

  • In your response, you may wish to include:

    • What motivates you to stand for the Rotaract GBI Board at this time

    • What you hope to contribute to Rotaract GBI

    • What you see as key priorities or opportunities for Rotaract GBI

    • How this role aligns with your personal values, leadership goals, or future aspirations

    We encourage you to provide enough detail to help the DRRs understand your motivation and suitability for the role.

  • In your response, you may wish to include:

    • Relevant skills or knowledge that would support you in carrying out the responsibilities of the role

    • Previous experience within Rotaract, Rotary, volunteering, work, or other leadership positions

    • Examples of achievements or projects you have led or contributed to

    • Ideas or initiatives you would like to develop if elected

    • How your personal strengths and working style would benefit the Board and wider Rotaract GBI community

    • Any professional or transferable skills (e.g. communication, finance, event management, governance, teamwork, strategic planning)

    You may find it helpful to give practical examples to demonstrate your experience and approach.

Apply Now
Read Our Guidance Document

Election Timeline

  • Applications Open

    Now

  • Applications Close

    Saturday 11th April, 5PM

  • Candidate List Published

    Sunday 12th April

  • Voting Opens

    Sunday 26th April

  • Voting Closes

    Sunday 3rd May, 5PM

  • Candidates Contacted

    Monday 4th May

  • Results Announced

    Friday 8th May

  • Term of Office Starts

    1st July

Role Descriptions

  • Chair-Elect

    The Chair-Elect supports the Chair and helps shape the direction of Rotaract GBI while preparing to take on the role of Chair in the following year. The position focuses on supporting continuity in leadership while building the experience and relationships needed for the year ahead.

    Working closely with the Chair and the Board, the Chair-Elect contributes to strategic discussions and supports the delivery of organisational priorities. They take a thoughtful and collaborative approach, helping to ensure decisions consider the needs of our network.

    The Chair-Elect also spends time building relationships and developing a strong understanding of the MDIO and Rotaract around the world. By taking an active role in Board discussions and supporting key initiatives, they help ensure a smooth transition into their future leadership role.

    The role holder is someone who is thoughtful, collaborative and committed to the future of Rotaract GBI. They are keen to learn, build relationships across the network and develop the experience and confidence needed to lead the organisation in the year ahead.

  • Finance Director

    The Finance Director is responsible for overseeing the management of Rotaract GBI’s finances, ensuring the organisation’s resources are managed responsibly so that every pound contributes meaningfully to Rotaract’s impact.

    The Finance Director oversees aspects of financial planning, processing and reporting. This includes the finances of the MDIO as an organisation, as well as projects and initiatives that Rotaract GBI financially supports.

    This includes creating budgets, monitoring income and expenditure, managing bank accounts, supporting funding applications, making payments and providing regular financial updates.

    They maintain accurate records, monitor financial activity, and identify any financial risks or opportunities. An important part of the role is also making financial information accessible, explaining reports and decisions in a clear and transparent way so board members can engage confidently with them.

    The role holder is someone who is calm under pressure, transparent in their decision-making, and confident working with numbers in a practical and accessible way.

  • Experience Director

    The Experience Director provides leadership on the engagement and experience of Rotaractors across Great Britain and Ireland. They play an important role in shaping initiatives that support Rotaractors to have a positive, inclusive and impactful experience within Rotaract. This includes developing ways to strengthen engagement, understand our network’s needs and help Rotaractors feel connected to opportunities at club, GBI-wide and international level.

    They work with clubs and Rotaractors to understand their experiences and identify ways to strengthen engagement across the organisation. By gathering feedback and championing opportunities for connection, leadership and participation, they help shape a Rotaract community that is welcoming, supportive and rewarding for members.

    Alongside this role, the Experience Director also represents the UK and Ireland within the European Rotaract Information Centre (ERIC) as Country Representative. For ERIC events, they are responsible for the engagement of Rotaractors within our network and should work to increase the number of GBI Rotaractors participating in international events. This engagement should have a positive impact and further the objectives of Rotaract.

    As part of their Country Representative role they should ensure ERIC has up-to-date information about GBI engagement and ensure that all districts are represented within ERIC. They will attend ERIC meetings and events on behalf of GBI and will create reports about activities in Europe and ensure the experience of GBI Rotaractors informs future work.

    The Country Representative will also vote on behalf of districts within GBI and should consult the Council and inform the Board before any votes are taken.

    The role holder is someone who is people-focused and passionate about strengthening the Rotaract experience. They enjoy listening to others, bringing people together and creating opportunities that help Rotaractors feel connected, supported and inspired.

  • Communications Director

    The Communications Director plays a vital role in shaping how Rotaract is publicly seen, heard and understood. A key part of the role is amplifying Rotaract’s voice across digital and print platforms, ensuring our network receives clear, consistent and engaging information.

    Working closely with others, the Communications Director develops and delivers creative campaigns, and messaging that celebrate Rotaract’s impact and support the organisation’s priorities. They combine strategic thinking with the stories and voices of Rotaractors and practical skills in graphic creation, content writing and social media management, while using analytics and reporting to measure effectiveness and inform future communications.

    The Communications Director also supports clubs by providing resources, guidance and opportunities to strengthen their reach and messaging.

    The role holder is someone who is creative, proactive and confident in communicating ideas in engaging ways. They enjoy telling stories, supporting others to share their work and helping Rotaract’s impact reach wider audiences.

  • Action Director

    The Action Director plays an important role in supporting the coordination and governance of Rotaract GBI, helping ensure the organisation’s projects, systems and communications run smoothly. They help maintain clear structures that support collaboration, transparency and effective delivery of Rotaract activity across Great Britain and Ireland.

    A key part of the role is providing secretariat support to the MDIO. This includes preparing agendas, taking and distributing minutes, maintaining accurate governance records and supporting clear documentation of decisions and actions.

    Alongside their Board responsibilities, the Action Director also provides administrative support to clubs and prospective Rotaractors. They help respond to membership enquiries and general queries, support clubs with key processes and ensure Rotaractors have access to the information and resources they need. They may also share guidance and examples of good practice to help clubs deliver successful and sustainable initiatives.

    The role holder is someone who is organised, approachable and comfortable managing information and processes, while also being people-focused and supportive. The role is well suited to someone who enjoys helping others stay organised, building positive relationships with clubs and contributing to a well-run organisation that empowers Rotaractors to make a meaningful impact in their communities.

  • Training Director

    The Training Director leads on the Rotaract GBI’s training and development opportunities. The role focuses on strengthening and supporting our network to grow, learn and lead with confidence.

    They develop clear, practical and accessible resources that strengthen our network’s knowledge base, while identifying and connecting with Rotaractors and external speakers who can contribute to the training programme.

    The Training Director also helps develop a culture of learning across Rotaract GBI, encouraging people to explore new opportunities, develop their potential and share knowledge with one another. By listening to feedback and adapting training where needed, they help ensure learning opportunities remain relevant and valuable for everyone.

    The role holder is someone who is enthusiastic about learning and supporting others to develop their potential. They enjoy creating welcoming learning environments and helping Rotaractors gain the skills and confidence to lead.

How the Elections Work

Voters in this election are District Rotaract Representatives (DRRs), as members of the Rotaract GBI Council.

Each DRR has a vote of equal weight and the method of voting in this election is 'Instant-Runoff Voting' (IRV) - the single-winner version of Single Transferable Voting (STV).

Voters in IRV elections rank the candidates in order of preference. Ballots are initially counted to establish the number of votes for each candidate. If a candidate has more than half of the first-choice votes, that candidate wins. If not, then the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and the voters who selected that candidate as their first choice have their votes added to the total of the candidate who was their next choice.

That process continues until one candidate has more than half of the votes, and that person is declared the winner.

The election process is delivered by the current Board, who act as the Returning Officer. Rules that govern the election process are set out in our Constitution and Bylaws.

Read Our Constitution and Bylaws

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Anyone can put themselves forward for a Director role if they are a member of a Rotaract Club within Great Britain and Ireland.

    To stand for the role of Chair-Elect, you must have been a Rotaractor in Great Britain and Ireland club for one year, or have previous served on the Rotaract GBI Board.

    You can serve a maximum of three years on the Board, unless you are elected Chair-Elect during your third year, in which case you may serve a fourth year as Chair.

  • Having experience is great but we also want Rotaract to be somewhere you can learn new skills and gain experience.

    We want to hear from people with ideas, passion and commitment - we can develop experience together!

  • Joining the Rotaract GBI Board is about more than just a title. It’s about being part of a motivated team working together to uplift communities and strengthen Rotaract across Great Britain and Ireland. You’ll gain valuable leadership, communication, and project management skills — and have a direct impact in shaping the future of Rotaract.

    Plus, it’s a lot of fun! You’ll meet amazing people, undertake exciting projects, and make a meaningful difference.

  • Board members will be expected to attend at least two online meetings per month, which will be held in the evening, with meeting days agreed on by the team at the start of the year. There will also be points where the Rotaract GBI Board will come together in person for design sprints and planning.

    Outside of meetings, you’ll want to set aside a few hours a week to work on your projects and responsibilities, though how this looks will vary depending on your role and current activities.

  • No. This is a self nomination process. We do not need any sponsorship or references as part of your application.

  • We encourage you to speak to Rotaractors and Rotarians in your own local area to support you to write your application, as well as your own support network outside of Rotaract.

    As the election process is delivered by the current Board, Directors are limited in the support they can offer to ensure a fair process. They can, and will be happy to, answer questions about the role.

    Please contact board@rotaractgbi.com for reasonable adjustments during this process.

  • Rotaract GBI does not have any policies that prevent the use of AI.

    AI should only be used to support you in your application and should not be used to fully write the application on your behalf. The application questions are designed to capture information about you and your ideas so your answers should be personal and not generic.

  • Your application will be processed by the current Board, it will be shared with DRRs who are the one who vote in this election.

  • If elected, your term will officially begin on 1 July 2026 and run until 30 June 2027, in line with the Rotary year.

    Between the end of the election process and official start of your term you will be expected to work with the Chair and outgoing Board as part of an induction and handover.

    If you are elected as Chair-Elect, your term will begin at the same time as the other Directors but you will then become Chair the following year, from 1 July 2027 to 30 June 2028.

  • You’ll need to go to my.rotary.org and sign in. From there select ‘show profile’ and your MyRotary ID number will be listed under your name and club. We will use this 8 digit ID to check your eligibility (including that you are a member of a Rotaract club within GBI).

    You must have a MyRotary ID to apply. Please contact board@rotaractgbi.com if you have a problem confirming this information.

  • No. Rotaract GBI isn’t a club, we are a membership body for Rotary districts and our work is to support Rotaract clubs and members. Being part of your own local Rotaract club is an essential part of the perspectives our Board members have.

    Being part of the Board is different from being a club member as this is a Director role of an organisation.

  • Co-option is used to add Rotaractors who have specialist skills, experience, or perspectives that complement the elected Directors. This allows us to strengthen the Board by filling gaps, ensuring a balance of knowledge, and making sure we have the right people in place to deliver our strategy effectively. Co-opted Directors serve the same term length as elected Directors and each year up to 2 people can be co-opted by the Board, with the agreement of the DRRs. This process is different from the election process.

  • Since the 24-25 Rotary year the role of Country Representative has been fulfilled as one of the duties of the Experience Director.

    We want someone who can support Rotaractors to engage in the wider Rotaract offer and this includes, rather than being limited to, events held by Rotaract Europe.

  • Don’t be disheartened! Being elected to the Board is just one of many opportunities Rotaract can offer - stay connected to our work to hear about other ways to get involved.

  • No. You only apply for one role per election.

Still got questions? Let’s talk!