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Submitted by: Blaine Johnson, District Governor 2018-19September has arrived and school is back in session. We take this time during the Rotary year to focus on one of our six avenues of service – Basic Education and Literacy. In so many respects this avenue of focus is the foundation for all others. In the words of Nelson Mandela:
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.
As People of Action, Rotarians are no strangers to changing the world. It has been a privilege this year to see firsthand our Rotary Clubs using literacy and education to make lasting change across the globe. From participating in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, dictionary projects, Andy & Elmer, and reading to children, to supporting at risk youth, Peace Scholars and sharing ideas around the world through Vocational Technical Teams, the impact we have is insurmountable.
In this issue of Cross Currents you will find the LitRAG newsletter. LitRAG is the Rotary Action Group focused entirely on literacy projects. It is a great resource for clubs and supplies a tremendous amount of information about the importance of literacy. In additional, now is the time to start informing schools about the Four Way Test Essay competition. Essays are due December 31, 2018.
In addition to basic educational needs, we have the opportunity to experience a bit of Rotary education. One Rotary Summits emphasize the relationship among membership, public image, and humanitarian service through The Rotary Foundation and allow Rotarians to share best practices and ask a lot of questions about improving our organization. Join us for great discussion and Rotary fellowship at the One Rotary Summit in Fargo on October 13, 2018. Registration can be found on the District website www.rotary5580.org. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity.