March 28, 2008
Rotary Club of Fort Worth Launches a Literacy Initiative Focused on Workplace Literacy
President: Fernando Costa, Assistant City Manager, City of Fort Worth
Literacy Committee Chair: Dr. Gleniece Robinson, Director, Fort Worth Public Library
Literacy Committee Co-Chair: Sue Matkin, Assistant Vice President, United Way
During a strategic planning retreat, Rotary board members discussed ways in which the Rotary Club of Fort Worth could increase the effectiveness of its community service activities, perhaps by focusing club members’ volunteer time and the Club’s charitable fund resources upon a high-priority community issue.
Planning Phase
2007-2008 Board Goals
- Increase membership
- Increase attendance
- Grow endowment funds so that the club may make a greater contribution to the children and disadvantaged families in the community
- Increase the Club’s visibility and effectiveness as a civic institution in Fort Worth
In light of Rotary International’s priorities, the local United Way’s priorities, the success of the club’s award-winning STARS program, and the club’s historic relationship with the Fort Worth Public Library the board selected literacy as the issue to address.
The issue of literacy is far-reaching and often hidden behind other issues that affect people of many ages, professions, races and socioeconomic backgrounds. The board’s next goal was to target a specific area of literacy in which the Club could be most effective and make a positive and lasting impact and to create a 5-year plan to do just that.
The Board established a Literacy Committee, and in recent months the committee reviewed research on literacy in Tarrant County, visited with representatives in other cities that are dealing with these same issues and brainstormed through focus groups with fellow Rotarians.
Workplace Literacy
As the focus has been sharpened and a coherent strategy has been formulated through efforts of a literacy committee, the Club has chosen to address workplace literacy in Tarrant County. The Club’s membership represents a significant cross-section of Fort Worth business and civic leaders and as such, it is ideally situated to address this critical issue.
Goals of Overall Workplace Literacy Initiative
- Increase earning capacity and economic impact
- Increase qualifications for promotions within the workplace
- Improve literacy rates in local businesses, in our city and county
- Enhance the quality of life for all
- Increase the number of businesses offering structured literacy programs to employees
Recognition
A great deal of work has been done thus far by many Rotarians who have brought the club to the point of launching our literacy initiative today. These individuals deserve a great deal of recognition for their leadership on this project.
Leadership Team
Fernando Costa
J.R. Labbe
Sue Matkin
Gleniece Robinson
Doug White
Additional Committee Members:
Bob Blanchette
Kathryn Bryan
Ames Fender
Mac McLain
Susan Morgan
Jason Smith
The Issue
One in five (20%) of Tarrant County adults is functioning below the 4th grade reading level. That means many of them are not able to fill out job applications, apply for a promotion, change to a new job if their job becomes obsolete, read instructions on prescription medication, understand lease agreements they sign or a host of other necessary daily functions that those who can read take for granted.
There are many challenges to face in our effort to improve literacy in the community. Below are just a few ways to get involved in addressing the issue of workplace literacy.
How can you help?
Tarrant Literacy Coalition – Action Plan for Literacy
The most effective literacy solution will be found through community collaboration and coordination. Unfortunately there is little coordination among service providers now. Programs with waiting lists are not aware of programs with available seats. Many struggling adults are either not informed that literacy services exist or don’t know where to find existing programs.
Advancing adult literacy in Tarrant County on the scale required to meet existing and projected needs is going to take exponential growth of literacy programs and services, as well as a systematic approach to promoting existing programs.
To resolve this issue, United Way of Tarrant County brought together almost 200 people from all sectors of the community to examine literacy issues and explore solutions. Individuals from business, education, government, organized labor, the faith community, literacy service providers and other human service organizations met regularly for the past year. Adult learners shared the challenges they faced and the strategies that helped them overcome those challenges.
The result? Formation of an adult literacy coalition that will:
- Encourage partnerships to provide more effective and economical services to more people.
- Collect information on Tarrant County’s literacy progress, evaluate literacy programs and recognize those of exceptional quality.
United Way is providing initial staff support for the coalition with the intention of establishing the Tarrant Literacy Coalition as an independent 501 (c)(3) organization with the following objectives:
- Increase public awareness and outreach.
- Increase quantity and improve quality of literacy programs.
- Build a mutually beneficial partnership between business and literacy communities.
- Advocate for change and increased funding from local and state funding sources.
- Centralize and evaluate program results.
- Identify best practices and provide training resources.
- Fund coalition partner literacy programs and develop further resources.
Corporate Spelling Bee
As a gift to the City of Fort Worth, The Rotary Club of Fort Worth and United Way of Tarrant County plan to host a Corporate Spelling Bee (link to info) to provide seed money for the formation of the Tarrant Literacy Coalition. The Bee will be held Wednesday, September 24, 2008 from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the Fort Worth Club.
Sponsorship opportunities are available.
(Literacy issues affect us all in one way or the other. Make a difference in your community. Get involved today.)
