Literacy

Rotary International Literacy Resource Group

General Coordinator: PDG Richard Hattwick, richardhattwick@bellsouth.net

Assistant General Coordinator:PDG  Byung Rak Tak, takbr514@yahoo.co.kr

North American Area Coordinator: PDG Roger Hayward, rhayward@sympatico.ca

Zone 29 Coordinator: PDG Betty Jo Dulaney, readdulaney@comcast.net
Zone 30 Coordinator: PDG Peggy George, peggygeorge@cox.net

Reading, writing, numeracy and character literacy are essential to independence and economic freedom. Far too many adults in North America and the developing countries live in poverty today because they have not mastered those literacy’s. Far too many children are currently at risk of falling into the same trap. Illiteracy is one of the world’s most serious problems.

For that reason, every district in zones 29 and 30 has been asked by President D.K. to participate in the work of the RI Literacy Resource Group. Each district governor should respond to this request for service above self by:

1. Making sure that each club in the district receives the information passed to the district by the zone literacy coordinator.
2. Encouraging each club to report its literacy work to the district and passing that information on to the zone coordinator.
3. Encouraging the assistant district governors to motivate their clubs to plan for and earn one or more of the literacy awards available to clubs. The DISTRICT LITERACY AWARD FOR CLUBS requires 5 literacy projects. The ZONE LITERACY AWARD FOR CLUBS requires 10 literacy projects. The specific project requirements are listed in the download section of this web site.
4. Encouraging all clubs to participate in the celebrations of International Literacy Day (September 8^th) and RI Literacy Month ( March 2009). These are two of the five activities required for the District Literacy Award.
5. Encouraging all clubs capable of doing so to undertake literacy projects addressing one or more of the special emphases identified by the RI Literacy Resource Group. See the downloads on this web site, particularly the download entitled “2008-2009 Literacy Resource Group Award Guide for Clubs” and the download entitled “2008-2009 Literacy Brochure.”
6.  Asking each club to consider doing a project that addresses President D.K.’s special emphasis for 2008-2009----Reduce Child Mortality

The RI Literacy Resource Group alerts clubs and districts to literacy project opportunities in three ways. First, a list of project ideas, club literacy awards and special project emphases is mailed to all districts at the beginning of the new Rotary year. This list is also maintained throughout the year on President D.K.’s web pages ( See the section on his resource groups). Second, a monthly newsletter provides updates and reminders. Third, special mailings are used as opportunities present themselves.

Making all of this happen in our two zones are PDG BettyJo Dulaney and PDG Peggy George. In addition to their general duties, each of them has special expertise your clubs may wish to tap. PDG BettyJo is an expert in adult literacy issues and programs. PDG Peggy is connected to one of the best dictionary project districts in the world and one of the best adopt-a-school clubs in the world. Contact them by e-mail ( see above).

No Rotarian Left Behind Literacy Test (will be back soon)