Planning Guide
Reading Action Program (RAP)
“If all children in low-income countries left
school with basic reading skills, 171 million
people could be lifted out of poverty.”
“Literacy vs. Poverty” Room to Read
Overview “793 Million Adults
Literacy is the essential foundation Worldwide Cannot Read
for participation in our global society.
Without literacy, the world cannot fight These Words”
poverty and disease, reduce child
mortality, achieve gender equality and “Adult and Youth Literacy Fact Sheet” UNESCO
ensure sustainable development, peace
GETTING STARTED
and democracy. Yet, nearly 800 million
people across the globe lack the ability
to read and write. Of all the illiterate
people in the world today, two-thirds Organizing a Reading Action Program project for
are female and over 90 percent live in your club or district can result in a rewarding service
developing countries. experience for your club. Here are a few key steps to
plan a successful literacy project in your area:
STEP 1:
Lions everywhere are changing the lives
of children and adults who have little
or no access to schools, libraries,
CREATE A PLANNING COMMITTEE
educational materials and the Internet.
Whether they are involved with tutoring
programs, book donations, or helping The Reading Action Program is an important
to build classrooms, Lions share a opportunity for you to help bridge the gaps in literacy
common goal: expanding our impact. and education in your community. Your team can
The Lions Reading Action Program help others to work toward their full potential and
Campaign challenges us to make an equip themselves with the skills needed to gain
even greater impact. We can work employment, support their families
together to bring hope for a brighter, and enjoy a lifelong journey of
more fulfilling future to millions … learning. But first, you’ll need to
through literacy. create a planning committee
consisting of dedicated
The Reading Action Program provides volunteers and community
your club with the tools and resources partners to help drive the
needed to carry out a literacy project success of your project.
in your community. Browse through the Together, the committee
many project ideas and get started can develop a plan of
today. Every club can participate! action, share the work,
Help show the world the strength of and help motivate others
our global network. to join your efforts. You
might want to consider asking
community organizations, local
educators and literacy agencies
to get involved, and designate
a chair to lead the committee’s
efforts.
Planning Guide 1
STEP 2:
CHOOSE YOUR PROJECT Find a project that will
Select a Reading Action Program project that be well suited for your
helps meet a community need and reflects the
interest of club members. You may need to community.
complete a community needs assessment to When developing your project, make sure it
determine where your assistance is most is a hands-on, highly visible activity. Perhaps
needed. your club already has a literacy project that
can be expanded to increase public
Perhaps you will decide to focus on reading awareness and engage other community
and school readiness to help prepare young members. Some examples include:
children to succeed in school. You may
choose to provide access to information and • Develop a pre-school reading program
technology in areas where Internet service is
• Organize a book and/or computer drive
not available or affordable. Or, you may wish
for your local library or school
to provide tools and resources to help people
with visual impairments to read and write. • Supply backpacks and school supplies
to children in need
• Organize vision and hearing screenings
for children and their parents
• Tutor adults in reading, math or science
“In the • Supply a Brailler or Braille books to families
in need
developing
world, 42% of To ensure the success of your project, be
sure to set specific goals that you would like
girls are not to accomplish by the project’s conclusion.
Some examples are:
enrolled in • Hold a vision screening for 200 children at
school.” a local school; present each child with an
age-appropriate book
“Girls Education” Room to Read
• Organize a community “literacy event”
with proceeds used for the purchase of
computers for an adult tutoring program
• Partner with a Leo club or other youth group
to collect donated school supplies to fill 300
school backpacks for underserved children.
2 Reading Action Program (RAP)
STEP 3:
PUBLICIZE YOUR PROJECT
Inform the local community about your
Reading Action Program project and give your
club or district the recognition it deserves!
Invite community members to join you.
Consider:
STEP 5:
• Posting flyers
• Contacting local radio or public access
television stations
• Sending press releases to community TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROJECT
newspapers before and after your project
Throughout the year, we will feature stories
• Posting project information on your club or
and photos on the LCI Blog related to the
district’s Website or other social networking
Lions Reading Action Program. Be sure to
sites such as Facebook
tell us about your project by completing the
• Inviting local media to cover your event monthly Lions Club Service Activity Report.
To report your project, visit www.lionsclubs.org
STEP 4:
and keyword search “activity report”.
IMPLEMENT YOUR PROJECT STEP 6:
Engage your club members! Inviting family CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESS
members, friends and co-workers to help can
also generate new membership interest. Remember to share your accomplishments
with people who helped make your project
Throughout the duration of your project, make a success. Distribute a news release to local
sure someone is ready to answer questions media and send a newsletter to community
from volunteers, elected officials, special members who supported your project.
guests, local media and other members of the You may want to present a certificate of
community. Because your project will focus on completion as well as a thank you note in
education and literacy, consider asking recognition of those that participated. Hosting
educators, school administrators or other local a volunteer and partner awards ceremony is
experts on your planning committee to serve also a nice way to recognize everyone’s
as spokespersons for highlighting this project contributions. And, don’t forget to share your
and its importance to the growth of the success with your Lions family – post photos
community. on the Lions Facebook Fan Pages.
Planning Guide 3
Resources
A number of resources are available to
assist you in completing a Reading
Action Program project.
You may also consider partnering with
organizations focused on education
and literacy. In this way, you can avoid
duplication of efforts and ensure a
strong impact in your area.
For materials and Reading Action
Program updates, go to
www.lionsclubs.org and keyword
search “Reading Action Program” or
contact the Service Activities Division
at
[email protected].
4 Reading Action Program (RAP)
Reading Action Program – Service Project Action Plan
Step 1: Create a Planning Committee
Who, including local educators, school administrators, and members of local literacy agencies, libraries, youth
organizations and adult-learning programs, will serve on your project planning committee?
Step 2: Pick Your Project
What project will help meet a literacy/educational need in your community and reflect the interest of club members?
Step 3: Publicize Your Project
How will you inform the community about your project?
Step 4: Implement Your Project
During your project, how will you involve club members, family, friends, and the community? Who will serve as a
project spokesperson?
Step 5: Tell Us about Your Project
How will you report your club project? Will your club secretary use the online Service Activity Report?
Step 6: Celebrate Your Success
How will your club share and celebrate the success of your project?
Notes:
IAD551 EN 6/13 Planning Guide 5
Service Activities Division
Lions Clubs International
300 W 22ND ST
Oak Brook IL 60523-8842 USA
www.lionsclubs.org
E-mail:
[email protected]Phone: 630.571.5466
IAD551 EN 6/13
