The Rule of 85.  Basically, it states that with Board approval, a Rotarian at least 65 years of age and with an aggregate of their years of service with their age being equal to or greater then 85, they will be excused from attendance.  This is a way for Rotary to recognize a members past service to the club and to allow them to continue being considered an active member when they may not be able to attend all the meetings.

As of Nov. 2023, the following Kernersville Rotarians are R85:

Tom Fitzgerald
Ron Greene
Walt Mulyca
Jeff Taylor
Dennis Whicker

When the aggregate of any member’s years of age and years of membership in one or more clubs is 85 years or more and the member has been a Rotarian for a minimum of 20 years, the member may notify the club secretary in writing of the member’s desire to be excused from attendance, and said request shall be submitted to the board for approval.

Rotarians who have been in Rotary for 20 or more years may, for health, travel, retirement, and other reasons, not be able to attend weekly meetings, but may want to stay connected with and support our club, attending and participating when they can. The Club Constitution and the Bylaws of the Rotary Club of Kernersville specify that a member may request excused absence status when the sum of the member’s age and a minimum of 20 years of membership in one or more Rotary club totals 85 years or more. It is important to note that the member will continue to be billed for dues and other fees, as approved by the board.

R85 Membership is used when the total of the member’s years of age and years of membership in one or more Rotary Clubs is at least 85 years.  R85 members are eligible to vote on district matters and are eligible to hold a club officer position.

R85 Member: Members who have been a Rotarian for 20 years or when the number of years a member has been a Rotarian plus their age equals 85 may request R85 status. Any eligible member desiring this classification is required to notify the board in writing their desire to be classified as an R85 member. An R85 member’s attendance does not count and they are billed for meals only when attending a meeting. They do pay for semi-annual dues allowing them to maintain status as a member of Rotary International.