Rotary Club of Hendersonville

The Rotary Club of Hendersonville, NC

Reading to Children Committee Action Plan

Purpose:   This "committee" consists of members of the club who volunteer to read to pre-school children each week, and who administer a modest stipend given to it for reading materials for the children. In 1995-1996 club member, Win Reed, introduced to the club the challenge of establishing a program for reading aloud to every child in Henderson County at least fifteen minutes per day. While this goal has not yet been attained, the members of the committee have made a great impact on the lives of the children with whom they have come in contact in a labor of love.

Structure:       Chair is recruited from membership-at-large, he/she in turn recruits 2-4 additional committee members. The role of the committee is to recruit readers, facilitate coordination of training and follow up once during the year.   The club decided to begin this program by reading to children that are most disadvantaged, and who might benefit the most from being read to. It was decided that Head Start Child Care Facilities/Centers, federally funded child care centers for very low income families, would be the focus of the reading to children effort. In Henderson County Head Start facilities are directed by Western Carolina Community Action. It is the volunteer coordinator from WCCA that trains Rotary volunteers, and insures that they feel welcome and know what to do once they arrive at the child care facility. Volunteers are encouraged to choose from the 9 Head Start facilities located throughout the county.

Timing and Sequence :            Committee members begin recruiting readers late Spring and Summer ???? so that readers will be in place when school begins in the Fall. Training is conducted by the volunteer coordinator of WCCA.    

Budget :           $900, $100 is awarded to each Head Start site for the purchase of appropriate literature for children to remain at the Centers.

Reporting Requirements:      Annual??        

Unique Requirements/Action Steps (Please be thorough and specific):    

1. Readers can bring books from their home or from the library or use books that are in the Centers.
2. Readers must provide their own transportation.
3. Readers should accommodate the pre-school sites schedule considering lunch and nap time, etc/
4. All readers must sign the appropriate release forms required by WCCA
5. All readers must participate in trainings through WCCA.