Communiqué ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL OF DALLAS, TEXAS, INC.

DISTRICT NINE September 2014

“When you read a book as a child, it becomes a part of

your identity in a way that no other reading in your whole

life does.”

--Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) to Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) in

You’ve Got Mail.

September conjures memories of returning to school,

new school supplies, new teachers, an excitement about

learning, and of course, reading. September is also

when we celebrate Literacy Month and the importance

of reading in our lives.

Here are some hard facts about

the importance of literacy:

2/3 of students who cannot

read proficiently by the end

of 4th grade will end up in

jail or on welfare. Over 70%

of America’s inmates cannot

read above a 4th grade level.

1 in 4 children in America grow up without learning

how to read.

Kids who don't read proficiently by 4th grade are 4

times likelier to drop out of school.

As of 2011, America was the only free-market OECD

(Organization for Economic Cooperation and Devel-

opment) country where the current generation was

less well educated than the previous.

Nearly 85% of the juveniles who face trial in the juve-

nile court system are functionally illiterate, proving

that there is a close relationship between illiteracy

and crime. More than 60% of all inmates are func-

tionally illiterate.

53% of 4th graders admitted to reading recreational-

ly “almost every day,” while only 20% of 8th graders

could say the same.

75% of Americans who receive food stamps perform

at the lowest 2 levels of literacy, and 90% of high

school dropouts are on welfare.

Teenage girls ages 16 to 19 who live at or below the

poverty level and have below average literacy skills

are 6 times more likely to have children out of wed-

lock than the girls their age who can read proficient-

ly.

As Altrusans we focus on literacy. All over the world, Al-

trusans read to children, donate books,

encourage reading, and promote

literacy at all levels. Our Club

has many projects that focus

on literacy. Our “Early Read-

ers Club” at MLK will help

first graders start their own

libraries and make reading a

fun event. In West, we are

helping to rebuild their middle

school library to make it better

than before the explosion. For years we have donated to

TSRHC to aid in their Dyslexia unit and make reading

easier for children with the condition and help them

keep up in school. We’ve brought books to Ronald

McDonald House and to the Letot Center to build up

their libraries. We also included books in our Goodnight

bags for Mosaic because we all know the value of a bed-

time story.

President’s Message

Deborah Hecht

2014-2015 President

Altrusa International

of Dallas, Texas, INC.

deborahahecht@gmail.com

Teenage girls ages 16 to 19 who live at

or below the poverty level and have

below average literacy skills are 6 times

more likely to have children out of

wedlock than the girls their age who can

read proficiently.

THIS MONTH September 2

Board Meeting

Business Meeting - Communications Com-

mittee “Breaking All the Rules”

September 16

Program Meeting - Membership Develop-

ment Committee “Team Building”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO

Ellen J Heffner…………………………………...4

Meg Muller……………………………………….10

Sabra Klein……………………………………...22

United Nations Observances

International Day of Charity

September 5

Poverty persists in all countries of the world,

regardless of their economic, social and cultur-

al situation, particularly in developing coun-

tries.

International Literacy Day

September 8

Raises awareness of and concern for literacy

issues in the world.

International Day of Democracy

September 15

Democracy is a universal value based on the

freely expressed will of people to determine

their own political, economic, social and cultur-

al systems and their full participation in all as-

pects of their lives.

International Day of Peace

September 21

Each year the International Day of Peace is

observed around the world on 21 September.

The General Assembly has declared this as a

day devoted to strengthening the ideals of

peace, both within and among all nations and

peoples.

Each Dallas Altrusan should be proud of the contribution she has

made to bring books and literacy to our community. We under-

stand the importance and make an impact. Of course, there’s

more work to be done and more opportunities for us to make a

difference. We will continue our work as a group and I encourage

you to commit to literacy on your own. Whether it’s building your

own “Little Free Library” or reading to a child, or giving a book as a

gift, it all makes a matters and it all has an impact. Thank you for

the work you’ve done and thank you in advance for what you will

do.

Literacy for All Literacy is a human right and the basis for lifelong learning. It

empowers individuals, families and communities and improves

their quality of life. Because of its “multiplier effect”, literacy

helps eradicate poverty, reduce child mortality, curb population

growth, achieve gender equality and ensure sustainable develop-

ment, peace and democracy. In today’s rapidly-changing,

knowledge based societies where social and political participa-

tion takes place both physically and virtually, acquisition of basic

literacy skills and the advancement and application of such skills

throughout life is crucial. UNESCO has been at the forefront of

global literacy efforts since its foundation in 1946.

UNESCO’s policy today is to support the promotion of literacy

and literate environments as an integral part of lifelong learning

and to keep literacy high on national and international agenda.

Through its worldwide literacy programs, advocacy work and

knowledge base, the Organization works with countries and part-

ners to realize the vision of a literate world for all.

We presented our Goodnight, Sleep Tight bags and the spice pan-

try to Mosaic Family services at the 8/19 meeting. Three repre-

sentatives of the agency spoke to us and we had the opportunity

to ask lots of questions. We left our meeting with a better under-

stand of the important work being done at Mosaic.

COMMITTEE

NEWS Communications

The yearbook is at the printers as of the date of

this publication. It will be available soon for

distribution.

Service

The Goodnight Sleep Tight bags have been de-

livered! Here is an excerpt from their thank you

note: “The Goodnight, Sleep Tight bags may

have been the biggest crowd pleaser. The kids

were really excited to un-tie the bags and see

the goodies inside. Huge smiles and Big bright

eyes came across every face, each time a new

bag was opened. One little girl (6 yrs.

old) noticed that the teddy bear came from

Build-A-Bear and candidly says ; ‘My teddy at

home comes from the same land as this ted-

dy.’ ‘From the same land’...it was precious!!”

Finances

Ways and Means approved fundraisers begin

with our Grease Sing-Along! See next page of

this newsletter for more information!

Membership Development

See Fun of the Month Activities through the

end of the calendar year on this page of the

Newsletter!

FUN OF THE MONTH

September Fun of the Month will be a trip to the Bush Li-

brary. They are having an exhibition of Oscar de la Renta

dresses---some First Ladies and some Red Carpet. The

event is for 9/20/14 for the 1-3pm tour. You need to go

online and purchase your own individual ticket. Cost is

$17.00 and $14.00 for anyone 62+. Please go online ASAP

and get your ticket as it is selling out fairly quickly.

October Fun of the Month will be the movie at Lakewood on

October 26. See the last page of this newsletter for more

information.

November Fun of the Month will be Saturday, November

8, 2:00 PM Special Program at The Sixth Floor Museum at

Dealey Plaza, 411 Elm Street, Dallas, TX 75202

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is proud to continue

its popular Living History Series through 2014, presenting

individuals who were witness to President Kennedy's assas-

sination or other historic events of the early 1960s. Join us

every month as reporters, law enforcement officials, musi-

cians, government officials and everyday citizens share their

stories and bring the past to life.

Living History with Eugene Boone

A Dallas County deputy sheriff, Boone discovered the rifle on

the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository. Prior to

joining the sheriff’s department, he worked at the Dallas

Times Herald and had contact with Jack Ruby. Admission is

$10 for program only or $5 when combined with Museum

admission.

December Fun of the month will be the Holiday Party at Anne

Reed’s house on Tuesday December 16 at 6:00 p.m.

JUNE BOARD ACTIONS Board approved reinstating Mignona

JUNE CLUB ACTIONS

The International Association will allow us to continue to

use our Foundation name until a decision has been made

regarding licensing the name

The Ways and Means presented the Fund Raisers and all

were approved

“I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”

― Albert Schweitzer

August Principle and Responsibility

Principle: Altrusa, in the very derivation of its name, is committed

to the philosophy of unselfishness, the joy of giving rather than get-

ting, and to the search for that happiness which is based upon spir-

itual worthiness

Responsibility: Attend meetings regularly and take an active part.

It is the fellowship experienced at meetings and the working togeth-

er in service that brings full value to Altrusa membership.

Fall Leadership Event

9:00 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014

Hilton Garden Inn

705 Central Expressway South

Allen, TX 75013

$40 Registration Fee includes a Box Lunch

Join us for Fellowship, Food, and Fun!

APPROVED 2014-2015 WAYS AND MEANS PROJECTS Co-Chairs: Betty Lawson, Sharron Vance, Jackie Robertson, Dee Parmer

Committee Members: Sandra Blassingame, Karen Wise, Jan Howell

Fundraiser #1—Lakewood Theatre

Project Manager—Sharron Vance

Start Date : August 6, 2014

Completion Date: October 26, 2014

Fundraiser #2—Letter Writing Campaign

Project Manager—Sharron Vance

Start Date: November 3, 2014

Completion Date: November 21, 2014

Fundraiser #3—Holiday Nut Sales

Project Manager—Betty Lawson

Start Date: As soon as nuts are available

(Oct/Nov)

Completion Date: After Thanksgiving prior to

Christmas

Fundraiser #4—Raffle

Project Manager—Betty Lawson

Start Date: Movie Basket for Lakewood

September 1, 2014

Other Raffle if needed—To be Determined

Fundraiser #5—Tom Thumb/Kroger

Project Manager—Jackie Robertson

Start Date : Tom Thumb in progress

Kroger— August 6, 2014

Completion Date: May 31, 2015

Fundraiser #6—Donations

Project Manager—Dee Parmer

Start Date: June 1, 2014

Completion Date: May 31, 2015

Fundraiser #7—Services for Sale

Project Manager—Jackie Robertson

Start Date: To be determined (if this fundraiser

is needed)

Fundraiser #8—Luncheon/Silent Auction, March 26, 2015

Project Manager—Dee Parmer

Start Date: Nov 1, collecting auction items

Nov 1, “Save the date” mailing

Completion Date: March 26, 2015