There were 34 members in attendance with guest speakers Michelle Denison and Cindy Desbiens on zoom from Strong Start to Reading a children’s reading program.

President Lyn recounted Rotary founder’s history of Rotary. Paul Harris started the first meeting on February 23, 1905 in Chicago. Our name was originated from rotating meetings held in members’ offices. Today there are 1.4 million members in 46,000 clubs.

Michelle said that Strong Start to Reading (SSR) started in Waterloo Region in 2001 by volunteers who felt that many children would benefit from extra coaching in reading and being read to. A low literacy level affects a child’s future in many aspects - financial, employment, health and the justice/correctional system. SSR developed material to be used by volunteers to work with children one-on-one, material that is used in 250 schools in Ontario now. SSR is expanding into Lennox, Addington and PEC so they want us to know about it and consider volunteering.

The program material has been developed knowing that a child’s brain starts to develop at birth and the first three years are critical. By pre-school, 90% of the brain is developed so talking to and reading to children is important. In school-age children, one in four are behind their peers. By grade 3, 74% of those that struggle will never catch up. To address these needs, three programs have been developed:

• 6 months - 12 months for newborns. This program is not for our area now.
• Pre-school training is conducted by paid teachers, aimed at low-income and immigrant families. Not for our area.
• Letter, Sounds, Words for school age to grade 2. This is the program that is coming to the County. Volunteers will be given four hours of training, there are 50 different word games developed, and children will be given ten 30 minute sessions one-on-one with the volunteer. Volunteer training is available on their website.

SSR gets 30% of their funding from the school boards and they do fundraising for the 70%. They have received $3.7 million in grants and donations to extend the programs to our area, and have started at St. Gregory’s in Picton. There is no charge for the children.

Club Business

The Bottle Depot cashbox has been replaced, but if the current one is still serviceable, the new one will be kept for future use.

Roger gave details of the Fellowship Dinner and circulated the signup sheet for hosts and participants. The format will be potluck with 4-6 guests with a longer service member as host, aimed at members and spouses to feel welcome and help new members to integrate. Roger will setup the dinners timing for January-February — the hosts and the diners will decide on the day.

Lyn has confirmed Family Day arrangements with the County and has confirmed County Kids Reads participation again this year. A request for volunteers got Liz, Christine and Bill Pennell who will pickup the play material as before.

Dawn asked for suggested sponsors for the Spelling Bee and received the suggestion of Oak Clothing and the butcher shop to be added to the usual sponsors.

Dawn’s number was drawn for the 50:50, but she did not draw the ace of spades.

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50/50 Draw This Week: $506