beachrotary.org

Foundation Newsletter

Dear Rotary Colleagues:

We are – right now – in the worst worldwide financial crisis since the great depression.  If we (the business, professional and community leaders) are hurting, think of what is happening to others.  November is Rotary Foundation month and this year it is not only important but necessary to dig deeper to help.  Support Our Foundation!

Peace and human rights advocate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu is to be the keynote speaker at the Rotary World Peace Symposium in Birmingham, UK.  Pleas e see pages 10-16.
We are sharing a late breaking addition to the article on page 20.  This economy is affecting all – both rich and poor and Pepsico had to reduce the amount of funding likely to be made available to WASRAG.

Group Study Exchange (GSE) is a Rotary Foundation program, which enables Rotarians to Advance World Understanding, Goodwill and Peace. Please read a heartfelt article (“I learned we are all citizens of the world”), written by a GSE team member from Colombia on pages 34-35.

It seems that this newsletter has grown into magazine size — please don’t be put off  — for the typesetting is large, the articles are brief and there is lots of open space.  Enjoy!
Click here:  http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/foundation/newsletter/index.htm
Then please click on the DECEMBER 2008 issue.

Please pass this FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER onward to your clubs, districts and zones.

Very truly yours,
Eddie

Dr. Edward Blender,
Editor, Our Foundation Newsletter
Chair:  Rotary Centers Major Gifts Initiative
CIO: Disaster Relief Rotarian Action Group
Health and Hunger Resource Group 2006-2009
EBlender@aol.com

Rotarians For Reading, Resourcefulness and Self-Reliance: Dictionary Project Promotes Literacy Locally

“A dictionary is perhaps the first and most powerful reference tool that a child should own. Its usefulness goes beyond the spellings, pronunciations and definitions it lists. It is also a companion for solving problems that arise as a child develops his or her reading, writing, and creative thinking abilities. Students benefit from an increased self-reliance and resourcefulness inspired by the maxim, “look it up.” The importance of using a dictionary to make sure all words are spelled correctly is emphasized. This is an opportunity for children to expand their vocabulary.”

These words are the foundation of the Dictionary Project, a national program whose goal is to assist all students to complete the school year as good writers, active readers and creative thinkers by providing the students with their own personal dictionaries. The dictionaries are a gift to each student to use at school and at home for years to come.

Thanks to the Peninsula Rotary club, fourth grade students throughout Ocean Beach and Naselle School Districts received personal dictionaries from the club.  In odd-numbered years, students at Tholon-Nipts Alternative School each receive a thesaurus.

Rotarian Keith Schwartz, chair of the dictionary project committee, noted “This particular club project is so rewarding, especially in the classrooms when you see the children getting the dictionaries,” he says. “They have so much fun discovering the books and the wealth of information within.”

The dictionaries are child-friendly, with more than 32,000 entries, parts of speech, punctuation and pronunciation and dictionary guides. They also include a reference section containing information about the solar system, international flags, U.S. presidents, civics sign language, Braille and more. Many students use their dictionaries past the fourth grade.

“We actually go into the classrooms, hand out each dictionary, with a bookplate for the child’s name in it, along with the Rotary 4-Way Test” explains David George, who has been involved in the project since the club began working with the Seaside, Oregon Rotary Club’s project in 2002. “It is a way to introduce Rotary and one of our key projects: literacy.”

The 4-Way Test is a Rotary cornerstone: “Of all the things we think, say and do, First, is it the truth? Is it Fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”

Carol Lynn Ockfen, retired educator and President of the Peninsula Rotary Club says she considers the dictionaries an important part of efforts to promote literacy in the community. “It’s just a wonderful project,” says Ockfen. “The teachers love it. The kids love it. Literacy to me is the key to the future.”

Rotary Foundation Newsletter-Nov 2008

http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/foundation/newsletter/index.htm
Please click on the November 15, 2008 issue.

Dear Rotary Colleagues:

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL <——> THE ROTARY FOUNDATION

RI/TRF, so closely entwined and working to make this a better world!  Our President D. K. Lee writes about growing Rotary. A stronger Rotary builds a stronger Foundation.  Pages 1-2.

The eradication of smallpox marks its 31st anniversary.  What has the Polio campaign learned from the eradication of smallpox?  Pages 3-10.

Tax -wise tips for year-end gifts.  Pages 12-13.

There has been no recognized Rotary International Board sanctioned structure in place for Rotarians to respond to natural or man-made disasters.  The Disaster Relief Rotarian Action Group (DRRAG) is now in place to respond.  Pages 16-20.
Click here:  http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/foundation/newsletter/index.htm
Then please click on the NOVEMBER 15, 2008 issue. Enjoy!

Please pass this FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER onward to your clubs and districts.

Very truly yours,
Eddie

Dr. Edward Blender,
Editor, Our Foundation Newsletter
Chair:  Rotary Centers Major Gifts Initiative
CIO: Disaster Relief Rotarian Action Group
Health and Hunger Resource Group 2006-2009
EBlender@aol.com