Basic Education & Literacy Rotary Action Group

We started off this new Rotary Year (2025-2026) with an overview of the MSRE grant funded project which sought to address, in some small fashion, food insecurity of more than 420 school age children in Barbour County, West Virginia USA who were dependent on school programs for daily nourishment.  That Backpack project fell under the Rotary focus area of Basic Education & Literacy.  This program keeps a focus on Basic Education and Literacy by providing an overview of the Rotary Action Group organized independently, but affiliated with Rotary International. And, learn what it means to be a BELRAG Ambassador.
 

E-CLUB PROGRAM

PRESIDING TODAY IS: Rick Phalunas, MSRE President 2025-2026

bellDing! We’re now in session.

Welcome all – visitors, fellow Rotarians and guests alike to this E-Club program!

Remember the Four-Way Test!

At the beginning of each meeting we remind ourselves of the The Four-Way Test.  Therefore, please remember to ask yourself always . . .

Of the things we think, say or do:

  1. Is it the TRUTH?
  2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
  3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
  4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Reflective Moments
 
Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope. ~Kofi Annan
Education is the most powerful weapon with which you can change the world. ~Nelson Mandela
Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world. ~Malala Yousafzi
You educate a man; you educate a man. You educate a woman; you educate a generation. ~Brigham Young
Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation. ~Walter Cronkite
The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you. ~B.B. King
Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. ~Gandhi
Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. ~W.B. Yeats
There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all. ~Jacqueline Kennedy
Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all. ~Aristotle
 

Today's Program:  The Basic Education and Literacy Rotary Action Group (BELRAG)?

(Much of the information for this program is copied or excerpted from the BELRAG webpage)

BELRAG was formed in 2011. We are a network of Rotarians and others passionate across the world who have a special interest in acting upon the mission and goals of Rotary International related to alleviating illiteracy; enhancing literacy teaching and learning globally, and helping to provide materials and equipment for literacy education at different levels. Like all Action Groups, BELRAG is an autonomous association of like-minded Rotarians, partners of Rotarians, and Rotaractors working in partnership with Clubs and Districts on basic education and literacy projects of mutual concern. Learn more about the history of BELRAG here.

BELRAG’s Mission and Goals
  • Increasing general awareness of the severity of illiteracy throughout the world; and its effect on the quality of the lives of individuals, families, communities, and nations from generation to generation.
  • Increasing awareness among Rotarians, Rotary Clubs, and Rotary Districts of ways they can implement basic education and literacy projects that strengthen the capacity of communities to provide education and literacy to all.
  • Assisting Rotarians, Rotary Clubs, and Rotary Districts to increase the scale and effectiveness of their participation in the alleviation of illiteracy and its consequences - supporting the pursuit of the Object of Rotary by providing programs for both children and adults and reducing gender disparity in education.
  • Actively collaborate with Rotarians to establish partnerships for projects involving other areas of focus.
BELRAG Strategies
  • Publicize the extent and consequences of illiteracy in terms of human experience and welfare using a website, newsletters, pamphlets, diverse other publications, displays, and conferences;
  • Attract and involve Rotarians, their partners, and Rotaractors as BELRAG members;
  • Develop support systems for Rotary basic education and literacy activities, including the nomination of project advisers, and
  • Develop productive relationships with appropriate non-Rotary organizations and agencies, e.g. International Reading Association 
The BELRAG supported 30 projects in 2024-2025 in one or more of the following subjects areas: 
  • Adult Literacy
  • Professional Development
  • Early Literacy
  • STEM
  • Girls Education
  • Education for Children with Disabilities
  • Out-of-school or Underperforming Youth
  • Libraries/Access to Education Resources
  • Language Training
Click the links below to get a sense for the type of 2024 programs that the BELRAG supports – just in the subject area of Early Literacy!
 
 
 
BELRAG Ambassadors are Rotarians who advocate the importance of basic education and literacy in their District.
  • BELRAG Ambassadors promote the vision, goals, and action plan of the BEL Rotary Action Group.
  • BELRAG Ambassadors serve as support to club and district leadership in BEL activities.
  • BELRAG Ambassadors expand the awareness of BEL issues throughout their District.
  • BELRAG Ambassadors help to expand BELRAG membership within their District.
BELRAG Ambassadors roles:
  • Serve District leadership in increasing awareness about BEL programs
  • Advocacy
  • Working with BEL Expertise Teams or Cadre of Technical Advisors, provide technical and/or logistical support
  • Recruit and engage BELRAG members in their District
BELRAG Ambassador’s responsibilities:
  • Work with District leaders to develop annual goals
  • Present to Rotary Clubs and at District events
  • Work with Clubs on BEL programs and projects
  • Submit reports and photos to BELRAG Ambassador Chair
Interested in becoming an Ambassador?
If you are interested in being appointed as a Basic Education and Literacy Rotary Action Group Ambassador, please complete the BELRAG Ambassador Application. The following information will be asked.
  • Your contact details.
  • Rotary details if you are a Rotarian or Rotaractor.
  • District in which you wish to serve as an Ambassador.
  • Your BEL Experience.
  • Your Rotary Experience.
  • References.
(Ambassadors must be a member in good standing of BELRAG.  They serve one three-year term and can be reappointed for another 3-year term.  Ambassadors attend an annual meeting via Zoom each June; and, will meet and share their experiences with their peers and BEL Rotary Action Group leadership.  They are also required to submit an annual activity report in May of each year for presentation at the Annual General Meeting held in June via Zoom.)
 
For more information
 
 
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We hope you enjoyed this program on the Basic Education and Literacy Rotary Action Group!  Thank you for attending this meeting of the Mountain State Rotary e-Club. 
 
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(If you are a Rotarian and would like to use your attendance at this program as a make-up, please click here.)