The Release is his first novel. Quite a few people bought the book and he duly signed them all with a flourish. Thanks Eric for getting up so early in the morning. He also brought Karen Lane of Working Title with him to carry the books, the Credit Card machine and anything else besides.
This Week
Our speaker is Nosizwe Mogasoa of Active Learning Libraries, South Africa.
The South African Toy and Leisure Libraries Association was established in 1993. The name of the organisation was changed to Active Learning & Leisure Libraries - South Africa in 2002. We are registered with the Department of Social Development as a non-profit organisation - 013-842 NPO.
Our VISION is to positively promote the development of active learning toy and leisure libraries that will provide an environment of equal opportunity in support of the right of each individual (ALL) to reach his or her potential.
AIMS:
1. To promote the establishment of good quality active learning libraries, toy libraries and leisure
libraries for ALL.
Active learning toy libraries & leisure libraries are services that provide members with the
opportunity to
(a) borrow educational and recreational materials e.g. toys, games and puzzles that promote
stimulating play opportunities
(b) play with these materials on the premises
(c) have access to play materials through a mobile toy library service
2. Develop and provide ongoing accredited training courses that will enhance the career path of
Active Learning and Leisure (ALL) Librarians
3. Develop a network of service providers that offer training on toy library administration, the
effective use of play materials and any other topics relevant to ALL librarians and to develop
strategies for quality assurance of training
4. To provide information for toy librarians, for those wanting to start a toy library and for those
interested in the use of stimulating learning and leisure library materials
5. To encourage service providers to educate communities about
(a) how to use active learning materials i.e. toys, puzzles and games
(b) the valuable role of age-appropriate active learning play materials in child development
6. To encourage the development of leisure libraries to serve the needs of teenagers, adults with
disabilities, disadvantaged adults, and all other adults especially the elderly and those in prison
7. To promote the concept of the vital role of play in life for children and adults
8. To encourage the manufacturing and importing of a comprehensive range of good quality and
safe active learning and leisure (ALL) play materials
9. To encourage the manufacture of play materials that reflect the wide diversity of cultural groups
in South Africa and of South African life in general.
10. To encourage service providers to provide training in the making of an adequate variety of long
lasting improvised play materials that will supplement the toys borrowed from toy libraries.
The organisation has four Regional Committees:
Gauteng, Western Cape, kwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape (ECALLA)
Jazz at the Radium, Saturday 27th October
Don't forget to let me know if you are coming. It's open to anyone and everyone.
We also have a 5th Wednesday, Evening Meeting this month.
Michigan club gives students a chance to explore their dream jobs
High school senior Teri LaForest (right) meets with local TV meteorologist Cindi Clawson as part of a vocational service project conducted by the Rotary Club of St. Joseph & Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA. Photo courtesy of the Rotary Club of St. Joseph & Benton Harbor
Rotary International on Facebook
A vocational service program conducted by the Rotary Club of St. Joseph & Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA, is helping junior and senior high school students develop careers by connecting them with mentors who are leaders in industry.
Participants are selected by their schools and given the opportunity to explore their professional interests with behind-the-scenes visits to area businesses. They also meet one-on-one with mentors, who share their experiences and advise the students on how best to pursue their dream careers.
Since the club launched the mentoring program in 2008, Rotarians have put more than 300 students in touch with professionals including lawyers, doctors, a Fortune 500 CEO, broadcast journalists, police officers, and a professional football player. Two Rotarians accompany each student who meets with a professional. The students are then required to report on their experiences at a meeting of the Rotary club.
“This program leverages Rotary’s amazing network of professionals to help young people connect with their career interests,” says Jackie Huie, program chair and president of the St. Joseph & Benton Harbor club. “We have not had a vocation that we couldn’t find for a student.”
The experience gives teenagers a chance either to reinforce their career choices or to rethink them, says Huie.
Teri LaForest, a senior and a 2012 program participant, wanted to become a meteorologist. The club organized a meeting with a meteorologist at the local TV station. After the visit, LaForest concluded that that job might not be for her but that she still had a passion for environmental science.
Visit sheds light on career path
“It was really neat to be able to see the TV studio, an opportunity I would not have had without Rotary,” says LaForest. “Visiting the station actually made choosing a career easier, but tougher at the same time. I realized that I’m not very interested in the broadcast side of meteorology. The scientific side, however, I found very interesting. The experience got me thinking about possibly going into a field that combines engineering and environmental science.”
David Reimers, a second-year student at Michigan State University, met with Whirlpool Corporation CEO Jeff Fettig when he was a senior in high school. Reimers says that talking with Fettig confirmed his career choice, and he points to Whirlpool as the company he’d like to work for.
“I know for sure that business is the right field for me,” says Reimers. “In high school I was a bit naive thinking about the difficulty of actually becoming a CEO and the stress involved with the job. In college I have really tried to focus on the advice Mr. Fettig gave me, which was not to worry about your next job, just work as hard as you can at the job you have and the rest will take care of itself. If I don’t quite make it to the top I will be all right with that, as long as I have worked my hardest to get there. I now know that the only way to the top is from the bottom, and there are no shortcuts.”
Huie says the program’s success inspired the formation of the Interact Club of Saint Joseph - Benton Harbor in February. After just two weeks, the club membership grew to 60 students.
Huie says clubs from Scotland, New Zealand, India, Peru, and Japan have inquired about starting similar programs since she shared details about it with Rotarians at the 2012 RI Convention in Bangkok.
“This is a proven, successful mentoring initiative that directly links youth and communities with Rotary,” says Huie. “It’s attracting youth to Rotary and is a lasting catalyst for club revitalization, community relevance, and global membership growth.”
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