Thank you, PRESIDENT JEN HOFFMAN, for “zooming” thirty-six Rotarians into the first Rotary Club of Tucson virtual Zoom meeting of 2021. Next time, we’ll “mute off” for the Pledge of Allegiance. American singer and song writer, Carrie Underwood, gave a very memorable Star Spangled Banner rendition which was followed by the inspirational Holiday Season Giving video.PAST PRESIDENT JIM MURPHY, who was introduced by PP JON WANG, inspired and educated us with his virtual presentation, “Rotary’s Role in Helping Tucson Kids Learn to Read.” Please read the emailed January 6 Tucsotarian for understanding our Rotary challenge and for the excellent PP JIM biography.
PP JIM’S vision:
“Rotary could be a catalyst to bring our members and their resources together with so many others in the community and hopefully make a significant impact in improving literacy in our community, thereby reducing many of the negative outcomes and costs from illiteracy.”
Thank you, PP CHARLOTTE, for assisting this M.E. with the following history:
“JIM MURPHY was our club president when the challenge came from The Rotary Foundation, in regards to their centennial, to have a club project that would be meaningful and lasting. Children's Literacy was selected with the plan to expand our Robison Reading Coaches program. Reading Seed was selected out of 14 proposals where trained adult volunteer coaches would work with students on a weekly basis for 30 minutes each. JIM chaired the Reading Seed Board that oversaw the Reading Seed Office activities and at one time 900 coaches were in 92 schools. Totally funded by our Rotary Club, the Tucson Classics Car Show was developed and successfully financially supported Reading Seed and has the positive results of an opportunity for club member fellowship.”
The Rotary Club of Tucson will support Make Way for Books and JTED (Joint Technical Education District) as we enter our centennial year. Avail yourself of PRESIDENT JEN’S first virtual and PP JIM’S excellent presentation on YouTube. You will appreciate the comments made by PP JIM LUBINSKI, PP JON WANG AND PP ROGER HARWELL.
Please take note of the online Rotary Leadership Institute.
Thank you, Maggie Kosinski, for joining us from Charleston, SC. Hurry back to The Old Pueblo.
“READING STARTS AT BIRTH.”
WE’LL BREAK OUT IN ’21 FOR THE TUCSON CLASSICS CAR SHOW CHAIRED BY PP JONI CONDIT.
