Rotary District 6920

SAMPLE CLUB PROGRAM TO BE PRESENTED AT THE WEEKLY MEETING OF THE CLUB DURING THE WEEK OF INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY (SEPTEMBER 8^th)

INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY

SEPTEMBER 8, 2005

1. This week Rotarians around the world have reason to publicize and celebrate International Literacy Day (The actual date is September 8^th).

2. We celebrate this day because in June, 2002 Rotary International and the International Reading Association formed a partnership to stamp out illiteracy throughout the world. That agreement, which was renewed in 2005, encourages Rotarians to develop cooperative literacy projects and promote International Literacy Day on September 8th of each year.

3. Rotary can be justifiably proud of its work on literacy. On the international level we can point to thousands of Rotary Foundation projects that have reached out to unschooled and under-schooled children. We have built schools, provided books, trained teachers, furnished school supplies, supplied classroom computers and built modem sanitary facilities in schools and awarded scholarships. We have made a difference.

4. Closer to home, Rotary clubs in North America have undertaken a variety of literacy projects in their local communities — each project tailored to meet local needs. The list seems endless and includes books, supplies, training for teachers, scholarships, career and ethics training, and the building of educational facilities. Two of the most impressive and popular projects are The Dictionary Project and the Adopt-A-School project. In both cases the local Rotary club partners with the local schools.

5. (OPTIONAL DEPENDING ON THE CLUB). Our own club has reason to celebrate in this regard. We currently engage in the following local literacy projects:_________________

In addition, we are strong supporters of Rotary’s international literacy campaign by means of our contributions to The Rotary Foundation

6. (ALTERNATIVE OPTION FOR A CLUB WITH NO LOCAL LITERACY

PROJECT). Our club does not yet have a local literacy project That is something your board is considering. But our club does support The Rotary Foundation and through it we are doing our part to promote literacy world-wide.

7. Yes, Rotary has reason to be proud of the work it does in literacy. But we should never forget that the true heroes and heroines of the literacy story are the people who work at it night and thy, week after week. I’m referring to the community’s front line literacy professionals — our teachers and other school leaders. I’m referring to the not-for-profit organizations which are focused on literacy. I’m referring to our public library. And, of course, we can’t forget the parents.

8. For that reason our club will, today, celebrate International Literacy Day by recognizing one of those individuals (or organizations). Fellow Rotarians, please welcome Mrs. Vickie Superstar, the principal of Woodward Elementary School and one of our home town heroines.

9. Vickie, please come forward.

10. Vickie, before I present this special recognition to you, let me tell the club a few things about you and your school (HERE YOU PRESENT A FEW INSPIRING FACTS AND THEN MOVE TO POINT ELEVEN BELOW)

11 And now, Vickie, on behalf of our Rotary club, I present you with this certificate of appreciation ( Or COMMUNITY LITERACY LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD) for the invaluable contribution you have made and are making in the fight against illiteracy.

l2. Vickie expresses her thanks.

13. (OPTIONAL) Vickie, before you sit down, could you share with our club a few thoughts regarding how our club or we as individual Rotarians might help your school do an even better job of accomplishing its mission?

14. (OPTIONAL VERSION OF #13) Vickie, you are not only being recognized and appreciated by our club, but you are also today’s program. So please take over the podium and tell us about the literacy successes, problems and opportunities for improvement in our schools.

15. (A DIFFERENT OPTIONAL VERSION OF #13). Vickie, you are not only being recognized today but you are also our program. And, as I told you earlier, we are hoping you will perform what we in Rotary call a "classification talk." All that means is that you tell us about your job and career — Why did you choose this career? How did you prepare for it? What exactly do you do? What are the keys to success? What advice would you give to young people who might follow in your footsteps? As you know in our audience today we have a group of young people thinking about following your example and I know they are anxious to hear what you have to say.

16. Vickie speaks briefly (Staying within the time limit given to her). Then the moderator ends the meeting with comments such as those in #14 and #15 below

17. In closing, I should mention that we do have members of the press here and I know they’re anxious to tell their readership and viewership about Vickie, her school and the recognition she received today. But, of course, Vickie, we Rotarians know that, like us, your true reward comes not from recognition but from the knowledge that you are making a difference in the lives of our young people. Rotary has two mottos which nicely express that philosophy and I would like the club membership to help me close today’s meeting by sharing those mottos with you.

18. Altogether, now, fellow Rotarians. The primary motto of Rotary and this year’s theme is what?

(The club shouts out in unison --- SERVICE ABOVE SELF)

And the secondary motto, which so nicely describes today’s honoree is?

(The club shouts out --- THEY PROFIT MOST WHO SERVE THE BEST)

ANNOUNCEMENT TO BE MADE AT A MEETING OF YOUR CLUB IN AUGUST

THE LITERACY THEME FOR AUGUST IS HOSPITALS - CONSIDER SOME OF

THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS OR INVENT YOUR OWN HOSPITAL-RELATED

PROJECT

Every month the Rotary International Literacy Resource Group will ask your club to consider doing a literacy project related to a specific theme. At a minimum the club is asked to take two actions. First, share this announcement with the club members. Second, appeal to members to put service above self and volunteer to organize a club project related to the theme area.

The theme for August is HOSPITALS.

What opportunities are there for your club to launch literacy projects related to hospitals? Here are some examples. Your district literacy resource coordinator, district governor or assistant district governor has all the information you will need to start any of these programs.

I. BOOKS FOR BABIES — With the Rotary logo and club name attached

A number of clubs around the country visit the mothers of newborns IN THE HOSPITAL and present them with a book and instructions regarding how to read to their infants.

2. A WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (Or, at a minimum, a club program on the subject)

3. AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL INFORMATION KIT FOR THE ELDERLY -
with the Rotary logo and club name attached.

Clubs in the Miami, Florida area provide kits with emergency medical information to elderly who live alone. The kits contain all of the information the hospital will need to take care of the patient and avoid mistakes such as not being aware of a preexisting condition. The kits are affixed to the refrigerator. When the ambulance arrives to take the senior to the hospital, the driver grabs the medical packet from the refrigerator and the ambulance crew and hospital are immediately in a position to know all that needs to be known about the patient’s medical history and insurance situation, regardless of the mental state of the patient.

Other ideas include:

4. A HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL INFORMATION KIOSK OR WEB SITE

5. A workshop or weekly club program on any topic related to hospitals.

6. A discharge kit for patients about to leave the hospital after receiving treatment for some common problem ( e.g. heart attack, breast cancer) — With the Rotary logo attached.

7. Supplying materials for a library in a short term or long term care facility such as A Ronald McDonald House

Every club member listening to this announcement can probably add to the list. So why not put SERVICE ABOVE SELF and take one or both of the following actions:

1. Tell your club president about a hospital related literacy issue that you think the club might consider for a service project.

2. Volunteer to help organize such a project

AND REMEMBER! August is Rotary’s membership month. This could be a golden opportunity to recruit a new member who has a special interest in your new hospital related service project.