Message from Governor John Heise

DG John’s April Message

March was literacy month.  As I write this we are almost through March. I would like to take some time, however, to reflect on the importance of literacy. As many of you know, it is one of the Foundation’s six areas of focus.

More than 770 million people throughout the world lack basic literacy skills. Many of them can be found in our own communities.  Literacy is one of the keys to a brighter future and a chance to provide for one’s family.  Without the required skills, choices are indeed limited.

As I visited clubs in our District I was impressed with the number of literacy programs being implemented and supported. Some of these were local and others international. The projects were as varied as the communities served. They included handing out dictionaries to young students, mentoring young readers, supporting adult literacy classes, holding story telling festivals, and assisting local schools by serving as mentors or helping to train teachers. In some parts of the world literacy can even be advanced by the building of wells and latrines so that children can attend school.  Literacy can bring about true change in the world. It provides access to the learning of other skills.

In 1985 Rotary declared literacy as a basic ingredient for world peace. Clubs were encouraged to be involved with a full range of literacy and numeracy programs. The emphasis should be on the young as well as adults. Consideration also needs to be given to the fact that in too many communities there is a large gap between the skills of men and women. It is often said that a village can be educated by starting with the mothers. Women share the skills with their children and others.

April is Rotary Magazine month. Each of us, on a monthly basis, receives this monthly publication. Published in many languages the Rotary magazines provide valuable information and inspiration to 1.2 million Rotarians and others. How many of us read this magazine on a regular basis? I sense that it is not read by many Rotarians. I encourage each of you to develop the habit of not only reading this on a regular basis, but then passing it on to a friend as a way of introducing them to Rotary and all that we accomplish on a daily basis.