One of the new focus areas we would like to get up and moving is the Akron Rotary Literacy Program.  This is geared towards getting children exposure to books and reading.  We are not asking for members to commit to long hours of tutoring, but rather take the time to read to a child.  There are dictionary programs already in place, but my desire to promote this comes from an earlier stage in a child’s life.  Hearing a great story and being able to go on the adventure with the characters as the pages turn is the hook needed to promote desire in reading.  This program will also start with a task force and lead to a literacy committee.  Many steps in this program have already been identified and you will begin to hear much more on this soon.  I hope the kickoff to getting all of us involved is participation in the Read To Me Day on Wednesday, November 4.  Please stay tuned for more on this.

We all want to do these great things, but we also need time to socialize with each other outside of our weekly lunches.  We are kicking off the fall with a Rotary family event at the Akron Zoo on Sunday, October 10.  Ginny has spoken to the zoo and tickets will be $5/person (with at least 15 attending ~ which I’m sure we can do!) and our event will be from 2-5 in the afternoon.  Ginny has also arranged to have the back gate opened, so we can park at her house, and enter the zoo from there.  Afterwards, we will head back to her home and enjoy some light snacks and drinks.  Please see our home page for the link to RSVP for this event.  No limits on how many can attend (we want all of you), but we need to coordinate some things.  Please feel free to call or e-mail me with any questions.

As we continually strive for improvement, words of wisdom to enjoy…

“Is everything all right in Rotary? If so, God pity us. We are coming to the end of

our day.”

—The Best Is Yet to Be, THE ROTARIAN, February 1945

Yours in Rotary,

Janet