This release marks the most substantial update since the introduction of Polaris, bringing major advancements that enhance integration, communication, and user experience across all organizational levels.
The key highlights of this release include:
The new SEMDA 3.0 interface to Rotary International, which ensures seamless and more reliable data synchronization between the platforms. This upgrade significantly improves accuracy and efficiency in member data management.
In addition, the member wizards have been completely redesigned. The processes for adding a new member, transferring a member, or recording a resignation have been made much simpler and more intuitive. Users are now guided step by step through each process, reducing errors and ensuring smoother data handling.
Flexible filtering and recipient list generation, allowing clubs, districts, and multi-districts to create customized recipient lists for communication. These new tools make it possible to communicate in a more targeted, efficient, and transparent way across all organizational levels.
Together, these enhancements represent a major milestone in the ongoing development of Polaris – delivering greater functionality, improved collaboration, and a smoother, more user-friendly experience for all units.
Features & Enhancements
1.1 SEMDA 3.0 now fully integrated into Polaris
The new SEMDA 3.0 interface has now been fully completed and integrated into Polaris.
In previous years, various local club management systems were developed to help Rotary clubs manage member and club data. However, since Rotary International (RI) remains the central authority for all official membership information, keeping data consistent across both local systems and RI has always been a major challenge.
With SEMDA 3.0, this process is now fully automated and significantly more reliable. The new version has been completely redeveloped and enables seamless, real-time data synchronization between Polaris and the RI system. This ensures that all membership and club information remains accurate and up to date – without the need for double data entry.
SEMDA 3.0 represents a major technological step forward, offering improved performance, stability, and integration for all Rotary units using Polaris.
You can find more information about SEMDA’s functionality here.
1.2 New member wizards – simplified processes and intuitive navigation
With this release, the Member Wizards have been completely redesigned to make the management of members in everyday club operations significantly easier.
The three core processes – adding a new member, transfer and resignation – have been restructured and thoroughly optimized.
The status change options are now available as a separate icon in the member overview
The new wizards now guide users step by step through each process. When creating a new member or transferring a member, the first step is always to search for the member. This minimizes duplicate entries and input errors, clearly displays all required data fields, and makes data entry more transparent and efficient overall.
A clear structure, validation checks, and contextual help texts further contribute to an intuitive and user-friendly experience.
Improved member transfer
A special highlight of this update is the improved member transfer process.
Previously, the originating club had to initiate the transfer in Polaris. With the new version, the receiving club can now start the process directly by searching for the desired member and initiating the transfer request.
Once the receiving club triggers the transfer, the secretary of the originating club automatically receives an email notification requesting approval.
After confirmation, the transfer is processed automatically – quickly, securely, and transparently for both sides.
These enhancements make member management within Polaris even more efficient, modern, and error-resistant.
1.3 Flexible recipient lists simplify communication
With this update, new filtering options are available for generating flexible recipient lists.
The goal of this enhancement is to make communication within clubs, districts, and the multi-district environment even more targeted, efficient, and flexible.
Previously, recipient groups offered only limited flexibility and often could not meet all practical requirements.
The new functionality significantly improves this:
Recipient lists can now be created individually by combining various filter criteria.
The generated lists are immediately available for sending newsletters or emails.
A list generated within the recipient groups can be saved as a static recipient group for reuse in future mailings.
New filtering options
The new filtering functions are now available in several areas of the platform:
The existing predefined dynamic and static recipient groups remain available and can be integrated into the new processes.
In the long term, the number of predefined groups will be slightly reduced to improve clarity and manageability.
Under “Utilities” in the Member list and in Recipient groups
Members can now be filtered based on specific criteria.IMPORTANT NOTE
Only members of the currently selected organization (e.g., club, district, or multi-district) are displayed.
Therefore, data export is only possible for the members of your own (club) organization.
When creating new recipient groups, the same filters can be applied to precisely target the desired contacts – e.g., by function, role, status, or other attributes.
In Club life: Newsletter and email communication
The new filtering options are also available in the communication section (newsletters and emails).
Recipient lists can now be refined and adjusted directly while composing messages.
New additional filter options for a more flexible selection of the desired recipients
Existing recipient groups remain available
If a newly created recipient list includes dynamic groups, these are automatically converted into a static list so that they can be used directly for mailing.
Benefits for all clubs
This enhancement ensures that all clubs within a shared instance (multi-district) can reliably reach their desired recipients – regardless of organizational boundaries.
As a result, communication becomes not only more targeted, but also more efficient and transparent.
1.4 Board function now with date from – to
Board functions must now be more precisely defined within the chosen year using a "Date from" and "Date to". This allows for the representation of shortened board terms.
Bug fixes, minor improvements
In addition, some minor bugs have been fixed, contributing to the stability of the system.
Content search: Index optimizations
Further minor optimizations
You need further information?
For detailed information, please contact your DICO. He has access to the ticket system, which contains the technical description of the enhancements and new features.