Reporter: Carol Sobczak

WORLDREADER - Books for All

Donn Black introduced our guest speaker today, David Risher, CEO and Co-Founder of Worldreader, who spoke to us about “A Quiet Revolution: Transforming Reading in the Developing World.” david@worldreader.org    
 www.worldreader.org    Twitter:  @DavidRisherWR

Worldreader currently works in Ghana and Kenya, distributing e-readers (such as Kindles) to schools to help children improve their reading without the cost of shipping books that may never arrive at their destination, or may be outdated, etc. Currently, the book downloads are donated by publishers. What was surprising was that Ghana and Kenya have good cell phone networks, which is what the e-readers use.

The logical reason for the organization is that there is a real correlation between illiteracy and poverty. The emotional reason is to give children a future they may not otherwise have. David showed us two very short videos of some of the children reading and, believe me, they touched our hearts.

The method used by Worldread is to first find a country that uses English as its “legal” language and that has a stable government. They then discuss the program with the country’s Education Secretary or similar governmental personage. Then they get local and international publishers on board. They train local teachers, buy the readers and deliver them, download the books, and then, what’s really important, they get the community involved. They meet with the families of the school children and even have the village elders pledge to protect the program. With everyone on board, they go to the classrooms and let the children read. The results have been amazing. Children who didn’t have much of a future are now hoping to become doctors and lawyers. At least the doctor part is good (LOL).

Worldreader’s goal is to reach one million children by the year 2015. The organization was formed only two years ago, and it has already made a difference in the lives of many children.

Visiting Rotarians:

No visiting Rotarians today.

Guests:

• Jon Hollister - guest of John Muhlner
• Gail Showley - guest of Peter Scott
• Chip Decker (our outbound Exchange Student) - guest of Andy Bartlett and Mavi

Birthdays:  

• Hans Wentzel - Jan 25
• The “twins,” DeWitt Garlock and Cynthia Kee on Jan 26
• The “triplets,” John Muhlner, Peter Scott, and Frank Sottile on Jan 27

Club Anniversaries:

• Father Mac - 18 years on Jan 25
• Monica Parker - one year on Jan 25

Wedding Anniversaries:

• Lester & Unni Hoel - 53 years on Jan 24
• Ron and Seana McGowen - 41 years on Jan 30

Announcements:

President Kelly Crane had the members in attendance vote on certain club board members for next year, as follows:

• Margo Kennedy - president
• John Muhlner - president-elect
• Warren Warner - secretary (continuing on from this year)
• Natalie Klug - treasurer (continuing on from this year)
• Hans Wentzel - Sergeant-at-Arms (continuing on from this year)
• DeWitt Garlock - Membership (continuing on from this year)
• Suzan Sculatti - Club Administration
• Peter Scott - Local Projects (pending his blue badge)
• Michele Neumann - International Projects (pending her blue badge)
• Christine Gorelick - The Rotary Foundation (continuing on from this year)

All were approved unanimously. Two positions are as yet unfilled - Grants & Rotoplast and Public Relations. Please contact Margo Kennedy if you are interesting in these special posisitons, and THANK YOU to all who serve on our club board.

Joice Beatty reported we only collected $700 this year for next year’s Christmas presents for the Napa State Hospital patients. She is hoping someone will come up with an additional $100 to match last year.

President Kelly Crane spoke briefly about our survey results. As soon as they are sent to this reporter, she will publish them on our web site under Club Documents.

Andy Bartlett reported that Mavi (our Exchange Student from Sicily) moved in with her new host family, and Mavi reported that she had dinner with some folks from Palermo, Italy, and they spoke Italian to her, but she spoke English to them!

Phil Toohey reported that Cycle for Sight will take place on April 21st this year. See him to join our team of cyclers.

The Valentine lunch invitation went out via e-mail, but anyone who still can’t use the system should contact Cynthia Kee to RSVP. It will be on Feb 14 this year, at the CIA as usual, but not with the Calistoga club. Cost should be around $45.

Cynthia Kee thanked Joice Beatty for doing some shopping for unique and lovely “raffle” gifts. Good job, Joice!

Raffle:

• Norm Mitroff didn’t pick the black marble, but got a lovely set of chocolates for his wife Patti. 
• Paul Dean
• Jill Munson

Bell Ringers:

• Mike Thomas for going on a nice cruise.
• Phil Toohey donated toward Polly Keegan’s Paul Harris since she filled in for him at the last minute on NairatoR duties last week.
• Paul Dean for a “de-mining” working trip to Israel.
• Natalie Klug for watching the playoff games with friends from across the country. Ain’t technology grand?

Finemaster:

Cynthia Kee’s questions were all about being “piss poor” as she quizzed us on where some of our common phrases arose. Some of the (correct) guesses were, “not a pot to piss in,” “threshold,” and “throw the baby out with the bathwater.” All fascinating stories, to say the least! Cynthia fined Jim Smith, Lisa Marie Andersen, Andy Bartlett, Wendell Dinwiddie, Margo Kennedy, Pam Rubio, and Jack Neal.