Dear Rotarians,
March is literacy month- something I am involved with every
day as I work with adults who are mastering everything from phonics to
algebra. As a matter of fact, it was the
Rotary emphasis on literacy that initially attracted me as a member of Rotary. It is inspiring that nearly every club in our
district has a project that improves or impacts literacy. Just a few examples of literacy activities are
annual dictionary projects such as those done by the clubs of London, Stanford,
Kenton County and others; the adoption of a school as by Lexington Sunrise that
encourages both the students and the parents; the Pineville club supporting the local adult
literacy program; the Rotary Club of Whitesburg implementing the Imagination
Library project with the Hazard club soon to follow; and other clubs helping
with test fee scholarships for GED students.
District literacy projects are numerous and widespread. All these efforts have a positive effect on
our district by improving literacy in children and adults, improving the
graduation rates, and inspiring people to achieve the one thing that cannot be
taken from them-an education.
What are the literacy needs of your community? Take a look at the graduation rate in your county
by accessing the link below:
There are many variables involved in calculating the average
graduation rate for a county, but it will give you a good idea of how many
young people in your community are successful in completing high school. You might be shocked by the numbers or
pleasantly surprised. For those of us in
the literacy field, high school graduation rates are one factor in determining
the literacy needs of a community. To
access a county profile for your county and identify the percent of adults at different
educational levels, visit the link below and scroll down the page for your
county profile:
By clicking on these links, you will have completed a quick
needs assessment for literacy in your community. A needs assessment will be a required step
for accessing Rotary Foundation funds as we move to the new grant model
presently known as Future Vision.
Rotary literacy takes center stage in our district during
March, too. Our presidents-elect will
head to Nashville for their training on March 21-24. Also, District Governor Elect Jack McAllister
and incoming District Foundation Chair John Adams are conducting training in
the new grant model throughout the district.
Be sure your club attends so that it is eligible for foundation funds.
I leave you with a quote from Abraham Lincoln about reading:
“A
capacity, and taste, for reading, gives access to whatever has already been
discovered by others. It is the key, or one of the keys, to the already solved
problems. And not only so. It gives a relish, and facility, for successfully
pursuing the [yet] unsolved ones.”
Peace Through Service
Kathryn Hardman, Governor
Rotary International District 6740
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