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It has been estimated that a billion people—one-sixth of the world’s population — are unable to read. Illiteracy among adults and children is a global concern in highly industrialized nations and in developing countries. The number of adult illiterates in the world is increasing by 25 million each year! In the United States, one quarter of the entire population is considered functionally illiterate. The tragedy of illiteracy is that those who cannot read are denied personal independence and become victims of unscrupulous manipulation, poverty and the loss of human dignity that give meaning to life. Illiteracy is demeaning. It is a major obstacle for economic, political, social and personal development. Illiteracy is a barrier to international understanding, cooperation and peace in the world. Literacy education was considered a program priority by Rotary’s original Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Committee in 1978. An early 3-H Grant led to the preparation of an excellent source book on the issues of literacy in the world. The Rotary-sponsored publication, The Right to Read, was edited by Rotarian Eve Malmquist, a past district governor from Linkoping, Sweden, and a recognized authority on reading and educational research. The book was the forerunner of a major Rotary program emphasis on literacy promotion. In 1985 the RI board declared a ten-year emphasis on literacy education. In 1992 the board extended the emphasis until the year 2000. In 1997 the board again extended the emphasis until 2005. Many Rotary clubs are thoughtfully surveying the needs of their community for literacy training. Some clubs provide basic books for teaching reading. Others establish and support reading and language clinics, provide volunteer tutorial assistance and purchase reading materials. Rotarians can play a vitally important part in their community and in developing countries by promoting projects to open opportunities that come from the ability to read. One current area of interest for Rotary clubs focuses on providing “new opportunities for the aging.” In 1990 the RI Board of Directors urged Rotarians to identify new projects serving the elderly that emphasize intergenerational activities and the integration of seniors into society and the workplace. The following year, the board called for an approach that stressed service “with” the elderly as well as “for” them. With the substantial upswing in the worldwide population of older persons, their needs for special attention have greatly multiplied. As citizens grow older, it becomes increasingly important for them to retain their personal independence and to remain in control of their own lives to the extent this is possible. Many Rotary clubs are seeking ways to serve the older persons of their community who face problems of deteriorating health, loneliness, poor nutrition, transportation difficulties, inability to do customary chores, loss of family associations, reduced recreational opportunities, inadequate housing, and limited information about available social agencies for emergency assistance. Some clubs have initiated a valuable community service to assist older persons in retirement planning and adjustment by organizing and sharing the wealth of information available within the club’s membership. Other clubs have developed foster grandparent programs and other intergenerational activities that allow seniors to use their experience and knowledge to help young people. Rotarians often can provide services that seniors can no longer do for themselves. The greatest need of aging individuals is frequently a mere expression of real caring and concern by thoughtful friends. All Rotarians should seriously consider how they and their clubs may actively participate in programs for the aging. It is one area of Community Service in which there is a growing possibility that each of us may some day be on the receiving end. Each May or June, Rotary International holds a worldwide convention “to stimulate, inspire and inform all Rotarians at an international level.” The convention, which may not be held in the same country for more than two consecutive years, is the annual meeting to conduct the business of the association. The planning process usually begins about four or five years in advance. RI conventions are scheduled for Singapore in 1999; Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2000; and San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A., in 2001. The RI board determines a general location and invites cities to make proposals. The conventions are truly international events that 20,000 to 35,000 Rotarians and guests attend. All members should plan to participate in a Rotary International convention to discover the real internationality of Rotary It is an experience you’ll never forget. From time to time Rotarians may read the promotional literature announcing a presidential or regional peace conference to be held some place in the world. Such a conference is quite similar to the annual Rotary International convention but generally smaller in attendance and serving Rotarians and guests in a region that is a considerable distance from the site of the international convention. The purpose of an RI presidential or peace conference is to develop and promote acquaintance, friendship and understanding among the attendees, as well as to provide a forum to discuss and exchange ideas about Rotary and international affairs related to humanitarian service and activities to promote goodwill and understanding. Some peace conferences are sponsored by districts with support from The Rotary Foundation. Presidential conferences usually attract two or three thousand individuals, and, because they are considered special events in the Rotary calendar, are not held on any regular schedule. The conferences are arranged by a committee appointed by the RI president. Rotarians from all parts of the world are always welcome to attend. Participating in a peace conference in another region is an enjoyable, rewarding and fascinating experience. It provides another facet to the international fellowship of Rotary. In 1931 Rotarians in France and Germany organized the “petit comite,” a small group with the goal of fostering better relations between the people of these two neighboring nations. Since that time, Rotarians throughout Europe have led the way in creating Intercountry Committees to encourage contacts between Rotarians and Rotary clubs across national boundaries. Intercountry Committees have now been established in many parts of the world to promote friendship as well as to cooperate in sponsoring World Community Service projects, student exchanges and other activities to improve understanding among nations. Frequently, the Intercountry Committees sponsor visits of Rotarians and their families across national borders and arrange intercity meetings and conferences. In some instances, lntercountry Committees are created between countries separated by great distances in an effort to encourage goodwill and friendship with matched or partner areas of the world. The Intercountry Committees coordinate their efforts with the district governors of their countries and always serve in an advisory capacity to districts and clubs. Intercountry Committees provide an additional means for Rotary clubs and Rotarians to fulfill the responsibilities of the Fourth Avenue of Service — international understanding, goodwill and peace. The structure of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI) forms an interesting chapter in our history In 1914, after Rotary expanded across the Atlantic to Great Britain and Ireland, a British Association of Rotary Clubs was established as part of the International Association of Rotary Clubs. During World War I there was little contact between the international clubs, and the British association held the small number of Rotary clubs together in Great Britain, Ireland and a few other European communities. Following the war, a new Rotary International Constitution was adopted in 1922 that established the principle that whenever a country had 25 Rotary clubs it could become a “territorial unit” and thus have a representative on the RI board and receive other specific powers. The clubs in Great Britain and Ireland immediately petitioned for and received the status of a “territorial unit.” No other group in the world made such a request or received that status. In 1927 Rotary International terminated the territorial unit concept and organized Rotary clubs by “areas” of the world. However, all of ‘the rights, privileges and powers of existing territorial units” were forever protected and perpetuated. Thus, since RIBI was the only territorial unit, it has continued to function as an independent unit of Rotary International, subject to certain approvals by the RI Constitution. The RlBl form of administration is uniquely appropriate to Great Britain and Ireland because of geography, language, tradition and custom, Because of this historic relationship, RIBI maintains a slightly different administrative structure from all the other Rotary clubs and districts in the world, even though it is a full member of Rotary International. In the early days of Rotary, any change in the RI Bylaws or Constitution was proposed and voted upon at the annual convention. As attendance at conventions increased and open discussion became more difficult, a Council on Legislation was created in 1934 as an advisory group to debate and analyze proposals before they were voted upon by the convention. Finally at the 1970 Atlanta Convention, it was decided that the Council on Legislation would actually become the legislative or parliamentary body of Rotary The council is composed of one delegate from each Rotary district as well as several ex-officio members. It was agreed that the council would meet every three years at a time other than at the Rotary convention. The council, which next meets in 2004, has the responsibility of considering and acting upon all “enactments,” which are proposed changes in the Rotary International Bylaws and Constitution and Standard Rotary Club Constitution, and “resolutions,” which are recommended changes in Rotary policies and procedures. Proposals may be submitted by any Rotary club, district or the RI board. The council’s actions are subject to review by all the Rotary clubs of the world before they become final. If 10 percent of the voting strength of the clubs oppose a council action, such legislation is suspended and it is submitted to a11 the clubs for a final vote. The Council on Legislation provides the membership of Rotary a democratic process for legislative change in the operations of Rotary International. Recreational and Vocational Fellowships From stamp collecting to ballroom dancing, the hobbies of Rotarians are as diverse as the membership itself. Yet, among the more than one million Rotarians worldwide, an amateur-radio enthusiast or a chess player is bound to find others who share the same passions. But Recreational Fellowship members share more than just their common interest in sport diving or Esperanto; they share an interest in fellowship and service and in promoting world understanding. As such, it’s no wonder that the International Skiing Fellowship of Rotarians donates the profits from ski events to The Rotary Foundation or that the Flying Rotarians help ferry medical personnel and supplies. One has only to look at the types of Vocational Fellowships to recognize how they differ from their recreational counterparts. With Rotarians united by their shared professional interest in such fields as Arts and Communication and Finance/Banking, it’s obvious that Vocational Service is as important a concern as international fellowship to the members of these groups. Members exchange technical information and seek opportunities to employ their expertise in service not just to their own communities and countries, but to their professions as well. For example, the Ophthalmology International Vocational Fellowship organized a professional seminar on the subject of eye surgery in developing countries. An interesting Rotary program of fellowship is the Rotary Friendship Exchange. This activity, originally recommended by the New Horizons Committee in 1981, is intended to encourage Rotarians and spouses to visit with Rotarian families in other parts of the world. It may be conducted on a club-to-club or district-to-district basis. The idea is for several Rotarian couples to travel to another country on the Rotary Friendship Exchange. Later the hospitality is reversed when the visit is reciprocated. After a successful pilot experiment, the Rotary Friendship Exchange has become a permanent program of Rotary. The Rotary Friendship Exchange is frequently compared to the Group Study Exchange program of The Rotary Foundation, except that it involves Rotarian couples who personally pay for all expenses of their intercountry experience. Doors of friendship are opened in a way that could not be duplicated except in Rotary Rotarians seeking an unusual vacation and fellowship experience should learn more about the Rotary Friendship Exchange. Some unusual Rotary adventures are awaiting you1 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Each summer thousands of young people are selected to attend Rotary-sponsored leadership camps or seminars in the United States, Australia, Canada, India, France, Argentina, Korea and numerous other countries. In an informal atmosphere, groups of outstanding young men and/or women spend a week in a challenging program of leadership training, discussions, inspirational addresses and social activities designed to enhance personal development, leadership skills and good citizenship. The official name of this activity is the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program (RYLA), although these events are sometimes referred to by other names, such as Camp Royal, Camp Enterprise, Youth Leaders Seminars, Youth Conferences or other terms. The RYLA program began in Australia in 1959, when young people throughout the state of Queensland were selected to meet with Princess Alexandra, the young cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. The Rotarians of Brisbane, who hosted the participants, were impressed with the quality of the young leaders, It was decided to bring youth leaders together each year for a week of social, cultural and educational activities. The RYLA program gradually grew throughout all the Rotary districts of Australia and New Zealand. In 1971, the RI Board of Directors adopted RYLA as an official program of Rotary International. One of the programs in Rotary’s panoply of worldwide service activities and projects is the Rotary Community Corps. Formerly known as Rotary Village Corps (or Rotary Community Service Corps in urban areas), this form of grass-roots self-help service was initiated by RI President M.A.T. Caparas in 1986 as a means of improving the quality of life in villages, neighborhoods and communities. Frequently there is an abundance of available labor but no process to mobilize men and women to conduct useful projects of community improvement. A Rotary Community Corps is a Rotary club-sponsored group of non-Rotarians who desire to help their own community by conducting service projects. Rotarians provide guidance, encouragement, organizational structure and some of the material assistance for the Rotary Community Corps, which in turn contributes the manpower to help its own community Thus, the Rotary Community Corps is another way for Rotarians to serve in communities of great need. In depressed urban areas, groups of committed citizens can benefit from the organizational and managerial skills of Rotarians when undertaking valuable self-help community projects. The Rotary Community Corps program offers another dimension to the concept of service to improve the quality of life. You can find them working in refugee camps, remote clinics, makeshift hospitals, and primitive villages. While many are physicians and dentists, they come from all walks of life. They’re Rotary Volunteers. The Rotary Volunteers program is open to Rotarians, Rotaractors, Foundation Alumni — even non-Rotarians can participate. Those wishing to serve abroad must file a Rotary Volunteers International Volunteer Personal Registration Form with the Secretariat office serving their area. They also must receive an invitation to volunteer from the host Rotary club at the site where they wish to serve. There are several sources for finding volunteer opportunities and special needs. The Rotary Volunteers program operates under the umbrella of Vocational Service at the club and district level. The Rotary Foundation occasionally provides funds to cover air transportation and modest living expenses for Rotary Volunteers. Volunteers do not receive a salary or honorarium for their services. Rotary Volunteers have traveled to nearly 100 countries to give of their time and expertise. Interact, a Rotary-sponsored youth service club, was launched by the RI Board of Directors in 1962. The first Interact club was established by the Rotary Club of Melbourne, Florida, U.S.A. Interact clubs provide opportunities for boys and girls of secondary school age to work together in a world fellowship of service and international understanding. The term “Interact” is derived from “inter,” for international, and “act,” for action. Every Interact club must be sponsored and supervised by a Rotary club and must plan annual projects of service to its school, community and in the world. Today there are more than 6,000 Interact clubs with 138,500 members in 96 countries. Interactors develop skills in leadership and attain practical experience in conducting service projects, thereby learning the satisfaction that comes from serving others. A major goal of Interact is to provide opportunities for young people to create greater understanding and goodwill with youth throughout the world. After the success of Interact clubs for high school-age youth in the early l960s, the RI board created Rotaract in 1968. The new organization was designed to promote responsible citizenship and leadership potential in clubs of young men and women, aged 18 to 30. The first Rotaract club was chartered by the Rotary Club of Charlotte North in Charlotte. North Carolina, U.S.A. In 1998 there were 139,000 members in more than 6,000 Rotaract clubs in 139 countries. Rotaract clubs emphasize the importance of individual responsibility as the basis of personal success and community involvement. Each club is required to complete at least two major service projects each year, one to serve the community and the other to promote international understanding. Rotaract also provides opportunities leading to greater leadership and professional development. Rotaractors enjoy many social activities as well as programs to improve their community. A Rotaract club can exist only when continuously sponsored, guided and counseled by a Rotary club. The programs of Rotaract are built around the motto “Fellowship Through Service.” Rotary’s Float in the Rose Parade The Rotary International float in the annual Tournament of Roses Parade is undoubtedly the largest public relations project of the Rotary clubs of the United States and Canada. Since 1924 a Rotary float has been entered 21 times including every year since 1981. The famous Pasadena, California, parade is seen by an estimated 200 million people via worldwide television. Funds for the construction of the Rotary parade entry are voluntarily given by Rotarians and clubs in the U.S. and Canada. The cost of designing, constructing and flower-covering a Rose Parade float begins at about US$135,000. Hundreds of Rotarians voluntarily travel to Pasadena each year to help put flowers on the Rotary float. A multi-district Rotary committee in southern California coordinates planning of the Rotary float and provides hundreds of volunteer hours of service. The Rotary float must portray the annual parade theme, usually depicting one of the worldwide service programs of Rotary International. Each New Year’s Day, Rotarians take pride in seeing their attractive float and realize they have shared in its construction by contributing a dollar or two to this beautiful public relations project. |
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