If you have funds you need to allocate towards new projects or club members who need to be re-energized with a direct service project, consider a literacy focused project. Here are some common and popular ways that Rotarians have worked on literacy improvement:
Rotary clubs have a long tradition of supporting literacy by giving books to children via mothers of newborns, providing school supplies, building and furnishing schools, training teachers, sponsoring 4-Way Test contests and other character literacy projects, and creating international peace literacy through Rotary's various exchange programs.
HELPFUL HINTS: Usually, just calling your local principal or superintendent to find out what they feel the schools' needs are is a great first step. For example, the Burien/White Center Rotary Club was interested in starting the dictionary project with their local schools. However, when they called the school principals, they found out that a much greater need was multiple subscriptions to children's magazines that the children could use in reading groups to motivate reluctant or delayed readers. So the club is providing these subscriptions for 4 local schools.
The year in North America and District 5030, Rotarians can also participate in the District 5030 Dictionary Project, by providing dictionaries directly to 3rd grade school children. Rotary is now the leading service organization to provide this critical learning tool to students in the US.
HELPFUL HINT: Going to the schools and working with the children when the dictionaries are delivered can be a meaningful even to both the students and the club members. It may also be a great time to recruit some faculty and staff into Rotary while you're there! The Renton Rotary Club found that the Renton School District administration and faculty were so pleased with the dictionary project that they commended the club and their efforts on their district website and at their board meeting!
On September 8th of each year Rotary joins with the International Reading Association to promote and celebrate International Literacy Day. Every local club is encouraged to do something locally to promote public awareness of the day.
HELPFUL HINT: Contact your ADG or other district officer for help in finding international partners to work with. Speak with fellow club members to get more help. Or, consider partnering with Seattle #4 if you are interested in doing work in Russia. They have a special fund set aside for such work that they are often able to use to levy matching district and RI money. All they need is a partnering club in the district and a project (they can even supply that too!).
Once a year Rotary International devotes an entire month to literacy. All local clubs are asked to do something to publicize Rotary's commitment to literacy during that month.
HELPFUL HINT: If you do a club project for Literacy Month, don't forget the PR aspect. Notify the local media and try to get the public involved for maximum benefit.
