RLI Program
RLI is a multi-district grassroots leadership development program for “potential” leaders of Rotary CLUBS. Established in 1992, RLI has become a worldwide organization with divisions in every Continent of the world, except Antarctica. While not an official training program of Rotary International (RI) RLI is a recommended program of RI. The purpose of the RLI program is to strengthen Rotary clubs through quality leadership education.
RLI believes that excellent CLUB leadership (all types of club leaders) is essential to the future of Rotary in a complex and fast changing world. Most Rotarians have not been exposed to the great scope of Rotary around the world and have not considered what leadership skills are necessary to move Rotary forward. RLI strongly believes that a good Rotary Club leader must have both Rotary knowledge and leadership skills, with a perspective about where Rotary has been, where it is now going, and a vision of what Rotary can be.
The overriding goal of the courses for club Rotarians is to allow each participant to find their PASSION for Rotary by opening up to them the world of Rotary outside of their own clubs and also showing them the great potential of Rotary service for the benefit of the world that can be furthered with excellent leadership in our clubs.
RLI classes are held within established RLI Divisions, which are created by RLI for administrative purposes. Each division works with the member district to ensure quality facilitated discussions are presented, allowing each participant to experience a variety of experiences, role-playing, problem-solving and general discussions with other Rotarians involved in the class.
RLI is a general education program, while most Rotary International training programs are “job-specific”; that is, Rotary International trains Rotarians for specific positions. RLI does not replace PETS nor any other district training program, but graduates of RLI bring a greatly enhanced background in Rotary when they later attend job-specific programs.
Rotary Zone 29 Districts 5610, 5630, 5650, and 5710 operate under the Rocky Mountain Division of RLI.
Rotary Zone 29 Districts 5650 and 6000 in Nebraska and Iowa operate under the Heartland Division of RLI.
Rotary Zone 25B Districts in Texas operate under the Lone Star Division of RLI.
For more information about future RLI training sessions, please access
The Rotary Leadership Institute is not an official training program of Rotary International.