National
project - "Reading is Leading"
Mortar Board members passionately decided to participate in
an organization-wide national project to help make a difference: literacy,
by way of the national "Reading is Leading" initiative.
Why "Reading is Leading"?
- Mortar Board members can help cultivate strong ethics by
reading stories, newspaper articles and current events issues
with students at numerous levels of education
- Members can work with students of any age, including helping
non-native English-speakers to learn English as a second language
(ESL)
- Major issues like academic integrity can be addressed early
on at the elementary and secondary schools
- Gives volunteers the opportunity to build fulfilling relationships
with someone they read to
- Reading can deliver a profound effect in the lives of others
Chapter projects and initiatives
Mortar Board strives to promote literacy across the world for
people of all ages, and individual chapters carry on that goal
in a variety of ways:
- Read-a-thons
- Book drives
- Trick-or-treat for books
- Adopt-a-school
- Reading at a children’s hospital
- Functional literacy
workshops
- Lobbying congress
- Reading in nursing homes or retirement
communities
"Reading is Leading" is applicable to any race, creed, color, ethnicity, socioeconomic group, regardless of region, gender or age; it is versatile enough to be applied to any chapter’s individual goals or aspirations. Major issues like academic integrity can be included in the Reading is Leading program. Integrity is not just formed on a collegiate level. Mortar Board can help cultivate it in elementary and secondary schools by reading stories, newspaper articles and current events issues with students. In addition to reading about these issues, students also can be encouraged to discuss the ethical pros and cons, as well as consequences.
"Reading is Leading" can also help to improve “town and gown” relations by bringing campus leaders into the community to work with students and the elderly. Additionally, topics like alcohol can be read and discussed with older students. The project appeals to potential corporate sponsors across the political spectrum. It is non-partisan and politically ‘safe’ for companies and foundations to endorse with grant monies. Moreover, it is an attractive political issue at the moment in light of recent waves of youth violence, making it an excellent candidate for corporate sponsorship.
By targeting reading as a response to youth violence issues and children at risk, Mortar Board tackles a national issue with a practical, pro-active program. This program can only serve to increase Mortar Board’s visibility both locally and nationally. When the opportunity is sought out to read to someone, reading gives the volunteer the chance to share his/her life with that person and to build fulfilling relationships. Reading to someone may be just a simple act of service, but it can deliver a profound effect in the lives of others.
National project information for chapters, including the Reading is Leading Resource Guide, is available here.
