The District Literacy Team is shining a light on Financial Literacy, specifically financial literacy for high school youth.  This is an education that need not wait for young adulthood, nor should it wait until that young adult learns the hard way.  Our District Literacy Team Member, Anoop Mathur, has confronted this issue in a positive way.  Collaborating with Royal Credit Union, Anoop and his contact at RCU have put together a Project-in-a-Box - - - a step-by-step guide on how to start a project that engages youth, through your local high school, in a modular course designed to teach the basics of personal finances.  See the link here to access the Project-in-a-Box.

So if your club is looking for a literacy project - - or looking to engage with high school youth in a positive and beneficial way, now might be a good time to click on the PIAB and start making some contacts.  Who knows . . . the school district might see this as a great summer offering or a mini-course that they can build into next year’s curriculum.  We encourage club’s to run with the idea, modify it to fit your situation if need be, and get kids’ involved in their financial education!  Good luck!  We’d love to hear some success stories!

The District Literacy Team
 

In total 3 Rotary clubs helped see this project to completion. Prior Lake Rotary discovered the needs of the school and helped facilitate the meetings between PTD and the clubs. Prior Lake is now developing a Rotary Global Grant for in-school development.   Battambang Rotary oversaw the construction, utilizing local contractors and boosting the local economy. Much work had to take place to prepare and level the playing surface before the sod could be placed and allowed to take root. Other features of the field include statues that nurture cultural pride, sustainable solar lights to extend playtime, a beautiful flag pole and mount for the Cambodian flag AND, of course, a Rotary sign.

With the help of Battambang Rotary and Prior Lake Rotary, PTD now has a beautiful Soccer Pitch for the use their students as well as the surrounding community. With the creation of this much needed field, 600 students will have improved health and more well-rounded physical education. Also, countless community members will have access for local games and will also benefit from the field. This will help increase the standard of living, raise community morale, and increase visibility to the work the school is doing in the community. This soccer pitch is a prime example of what can be achieved through teamwork and strong individuals linked through Rotary.


 

Professionally, Michael-jon is Executive Director of the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy. His nonprofit career began in Lanesboro, MN as the first Executive Director Cornucopia Art Center (now Lanesboro Arts) and includes 15 years at Park Square Theatre in Saint Paul. A skilled fundraiser, Michael-jon taught fundraising at the graduate level at St. Mary’s University – Twin Cities and served as VP of Communications for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Minnesota Chapter. As a volunteer, he serves on the boards of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts (Advocacy Chair). Dodge Nature Center (Development Chair), as well as the Advisory Board of Circus Juventas. For fun, he is the Emeritus Senior Captain of the University Club of St Paul Croquet Team, the “Varsity Blues” and a very amateur gardener.

 

Interested in volunteering for Camp RYLA 2024?

 District 5960 is looking for volunteers for two Camp RYLA committees:

1. Marketing Committee - We need your expertise to make our Camp RYLA website (www.campryla.org), social media, and other avenues grab the attention of students, schools, and sponsoring clubs.  If your hot skills include marketing, communications, web/graphic design, or social media, this is the place for you!  Plan on a time commitment of one 60 min Zoom meeting per month now through Oct. in addition to 1-2 hours/month to execute tasks in your area of expertise. 
 
2. Curriculum Committee - Camp RYLA continues to foster young leaders. Still, with changing generations, teaching methods, and the lasting impacts on students of distance learning it is time to refresh our tried-and-true curriculum.  Many resources are available from Rotary International and hundreds of other RYLA programs we can learn from.  If you are interested in helping to modernize and upgrade the Camp RYLA curriculum, we have a place for you!    Plan on a time commitment of one 60 min Zoom meeting per month now through Dec. in addition to 1-2 hours/month to execute tasks, research, or curriculum workshops.  We could use your talents if you have experience or interest in this area!

For more information, please contact the 2023-2024 Camp RYLA Chair, Pete Grayson at graysonlaw@mac.com or 612-598-5907.