Welcome to September and Literacy Month in the Rotary calendar.
Literacy is defined as the ability to read and write and includes not just “word” skills but also mathematical skills, a fact that is sometimes overlooked. In 1985, Rotary declared basic literacy to be a pre-condition to the development of peace and basic education and literacy is one of Rotary International’s six Areas of Focus. More than half the world’s Rotary club’s address the needs of literacy in the communities they serve and our Club is no exception.
Rotary Sunrise Cayman adopted literacy as a signature project many years ago and at that time made literacy an avenue of service within the Club with its own committee and Board position. In the years since the idea was born over dinner at Casanova’s one night, Sunrise Rotarians have read to hundreds of children, CALS has been introduced in a number of different settings in Cayman as well as in Belize, hundreds of dictionaries have been distributed to children and we have given birth to a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting literacy – LIFE.
There is more to be done and we cannot become complacent. Children and adults in our community still need our help to ensure that everyone in our community can achieve a basic level of reading, writing and numerical skills. Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said "Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope. It is a tool for daily life in modern society. For everyone, everywhere, literacy is, along with education in general, a basic human right.” He went on to add that it is the “means through which every man, woman and child can realize his or her full potential."
This year we will continue our long established literacy programs and launch new ones which Literacy Director, Su Mander, will tell you more about throughout the month. I ask that each member support at least one literacy initiative during this
Rotary year. I thank you in advance for doing your part to lending a hand to our literacy efforts.
The Rotary Sunrise Literacy Committee will hold its next regular meeting tomorrow (Thursday), September 3rd at 5:30pm in the upstairs conference room at the Foster’s Food Fair Airport location.
Today's Guest Speakers: Mathematics in Context (MIC)
Frank Eade is the Numeracy Specialist with the CIG School System. Maggie is a 1st grade teacher here (studying to obtain her Master's Degree) and has used the MIC program with some of her students who were challenged with mathematical understanding and had great results. The MIC program is designed to help students gain a more "real world" perspective on the role of mathematics in daily life. It was developed in collaboration between the Freudenthal Institute (Netherlands) and University of Wisconsin (USA) thanks to funding from the National Science Foundation (USA). It has been tried with Year 7 students at John Gray HS and Clifton Hunter HS.
Nomination Process Opened: Letter from DG Felix Stubbs
"In accordance with the Rotary International District Administration Guide and Leadership Organization for District 7020, I am requesting suggestions for nominations from Rotary Clubs for the future District Governor for 2018-2019.
"This letter must be read to the members of your club at a regular meeting and/or published in your club’s regular newsletter. Suggestions must be submitted in the form of a resolution adopted at a regular meeting of the club naming the suggested candidate. The resolution shall be certified by the club secretary. A club may suggest only one of its own members as a candidate for governor-nominee. It is recommended that this candidate has served in the position of Assistant Governor.
"Suggestions, along with a one page resume with particulars of his or her personal, business and Rotary life, and a photograph, should be sent to the Nominating Committee for consideration no later than November 1, 2015, with a copy to each committee member." (See President Christine or Director Patrick if interested in the nominating committee names and addresses.)
We will do things a bit differently this year when it comes to assigning weekly tasks at our meetings. Rather than filling slots week to week, we will instead fill slots months in advance, so everyone has lots of time to prepare.
Please see the spreadsheet which was mailed to you which lists the tasks of: Greeter, Raffle seller, 4 Way test leader, Grace leader, and Rotary Minute presenter. If your name is in the slot, it means you are responsible for that task for that given week.
Note that even if you will not be attending that week's meeting, you still remain responsible for that task. So, if you are listed as the Greeter but can't attend, it is your responsibility to find a replacement to be the Greeter that week.
This is all fairly simple, and should help Club leaders in planning for the year, but if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask me.
At last week's meeting, guest speaker Andrea Hill told us all about the value of adding whole foods to everyone's everyday meal plan. We inducted a new Rotarian, Aimee Bush. PP Tony presented a check to Rotaract President Matthew to fulfill a pledge in return for all the help Rotaractors provided in selling tickets for the annual car raffle. Director Patrick was named as President Christine's first Rotarian of the Month. A fantastic turnout of volunteers allowed the Literacy Committee to finish putting stickers in more than 600 dictionaries in record time. And last week's Membership Month Happy Hour at Karoo included a visit from former Rotarian Glen Trenouth whose luck extended beyond winning this year's car raffle; he managed to "win" two Happy Hour raffle prizes with a single ticket! (Ask Frank how that was possible!)
Make-ups: In addition to make-up opportunities at Rotary Sunrise, you can make up absences at another Club in Grand Cayman. The meeting times and places for the other Clubs are:
Rotary Club of Grand Cayman Central:
Tuesdays 7:30pm at the GT Yacht Club Restaurant (for the month of Sept)
Rotaract Blue:
Wednesdays 6:00pm at Royal Palms Beach Club Restaurant
Rotary Club of Grand Cayman:
Thursdays 12:30pm at the GT Yacht Club Restaurant (for the month of Sept)
Rotaract Club of Grand Cayman: Thursdays 7:00am at Treats Cafe, West Shore Plaza
Rotary E-Club of the Caribbean 7020: Online meetings anytime. Visit the new e-club platform at
If members are unable to make a regular weekly meeting or Rotary event, make-ups can be done online. The e-Club website is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You just need to spend a minimum of 30 minutes on the site and answer some questions to get the make up certificate.
Traveling: If you are going to be traveling for an extended period of time (more than two weeks), be sure to let the Secretary know and remember to submit any make-ups you do in a timely manner.
Clean Eating Tips from Last Week
As mentioned last week, Director Patrick has a copy of the Powerpoint presentation given by our guest, Andrea Hill. Here is an excerpt with tips on improving our daily food intake for good health.
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