Jack Nicklaus, the legendary golfer, spoke as a Rotary Polio Ambassador at the Atlanta Rotary Convention a few years ago. It was there that my wife Susan and I were surprised to learn of his childhood affliction with Polio.
His heartfelt comments made a great impression on us especially when he spoke on how he and his family was affected. As an engineer, I never feel a problem is unsurmountable. It just needs to go through a process resulting in something being invented, built, or fixed. In doing so it is easy to lose sight of the impact our Polio efforts are having in preventing memories (like Jack’s) throughout the world for other individuals and families.
The September Rotarian is a good read! Why wouldn't I say that as literacy chair? So, make it a goal, during September which is Literacy month, to make the time to read it.
Inspired to update my literacy rate statistics for Canada & the USA I learned that both countries have remained steady since 2008 to 2014 at anywhere from 85 – 99% depending on the study. This sounds good until you realize the number of illiterate Canadians is 2 in 5 adults or 9 million and with seniors (65 +) included there are 12 million people. For the USA, the government uses 19% for the number of illiterate Americans or 62 million.
In 1994 I was studying to become a teacher at Laval University in Quebec City; that same year, World Teachers Day was established to “acknowledge, evaluate and enhance the instructors of the world.” (awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/world-teachers-day-2019/) It is held every year on October 5 and is celebrated by more than 100 nations globally as a way to commemorate the signing of the 1966 UNESCO/ILO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.
En 1994 j’étudiais pour devenir enseignante à l’université Laval à Québec; cette même année-là, la Journée mondiale des enseignants a été établie pour « reconnaître, évaluer et mettre en valeur les instructeurs du monde entier ». (awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/world-teachers-day-2019/) La journée a lieu tous les ans le 5 octobre et est célébrée par plus de 100 nations autour du monde. C’est une façon de commémorer la signature de la Recommandation UNESCO/ILO de 1966 concernant le Statut des enseignants.
What are your club’s plans?Quels sont les plans de votre club ?
Every year, on 24 October, we celebrate our progress toward eradicating polio. Clubs around the world raise awareness and spread the word that the fight to end polio is not over by hosting a local World Polio Day event.
Chaque année, le 24 octobre, nous célébrons nos progrès vers l'éradication de la poliomyélite. Les clubs du monde entier sensibilisent et font savoir que la lutte pour mettre fin à la poliomyélite n'est pas terminée en organisant un événement local de la Journée mondiale de la poliomyélite.
For centuries, people have gathered together around food and drink. Hospitality creates conversation and conversation creates everything from relationships to project lists. Food and the accompanying ceremony is an asset for your Rotary club, not a liability.
2. Don’t attract businesses.
Local businesses can help you identify the movers and shakers in your community. These people often make the best Rotarians. Work hard to be appealing when it comes to the length of your meeting, the location and the time/day slot. “Folksy” can work against you.
Rotarians can thank and recognize other Rotarians for their continued commitment to others. Simply go online to www.rotary.org click on “My Rotary” at the top, then under the “Learning and Reference” tab, click on “awards”. Club leaders and members may nominate for: Recognize a Club, Significant Service Award, Avenues of Service Award in district, Service Award for a Polio-free World, and Polio Plus Pioneer Award. Any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact District 7040 Awards Chair PDG Sue Bellor at sbellor1@twcny.rr.com .
Les Rotariens ont la possibilité de remercier et reconnaître les autres Rotariens pour leur engagement continu envers les autres. Allez simplement en ligne à www.rotary.org, cliquez sur « Mon Rotary » en haut de la page et sous l'onglet « Je me forme », cliquez sur « Prix ». Les Leader et membres de club peuvent se porter candidats pour : Reconnaître un club, un prix de service important, un prix d'avenues de service dans un district, un prix de service pour un monde sans polio et un prix Polio Plus Pioneer. Si vous avez des questions ou des préoccupations, n'hésitez pas à contacter le président du GDP du district 7040, PDG Sue Bellor, à l'adresse sbellor1@twcny.rr.com .
