A century of snoozing

The article about workplace napping [Management, July] reminded me of Bob Hope. One of the ways this extraordinary man became a centenarian was by taking naps.
I learned this when I was the United States Air Force project officer for the December 1971 Bob Hope show at U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield. His staff provided each project officer at the bases where he performed his USO show with single-spaced, typed instructions that covered many pages. The instruction that really caught my then 41-year-old eyes was that Mr. Hope would require an air-conditioned bedroom near the show area so that he might take a nap before the three-hour show, during, and after.
Mr. Hope was about 68 or 69 at the time, and I hoped I would not have to take such naps when I was older. Well, Mr. Hope lived an active life and reached 100. So, let’s all keep active and take those little naps. My wife says I do!
Nick P. Apple
Kettering, Ohio, USA

Our new president

I was very interested to read all about our new RI President John Kenny [July] – in particular, his keen support of the Falkirk Football Club. Perhaps his example will usher in a new era of respect and legitimacy for those of us who also stump for our favorite team.
For 45 years now, I have been extolling the virtues of the far more famous Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club to anyone in my 195-member Rotary club who I can corner long enough, and precious little in the way of thanks do I get! What a treat to now have such an enlightened new president.
Bill Towler
Cultus Lake, B.C., Canada

I read with interest that RI President John Kenny’s priority for membership is quality not quantity.
Several years ago during a membership drive, a club member made an impassioned plea for pushing quality rather than quantity. While we have a stable club with over 800 total years of Service Above Self among the current active membership of about 40, we have had our share of RINOs – Rotarians in name only.
This prompted us to include in the membership section of our directory last year a page describing the obligations of membership, in terms of both time and money. The revised membership application refers to the obligations and asks the prospective member to acknowledge that he or she accepts them.
Given the aforementioned years of service, you can rightfully conclude that the average age of our club is high. In the past year, we have inducted several enthusiastic younger members who have become active in the operation of the club, and we are now approaching the critical mass of young people needed to recruit more quality young members to reduce that average age.
Ken Geiser
Murrysville-Export, Pa., USA

Literacy solutions

I read with interest the letter regarding literacy in the United States [July]. My club, the Rotary Club of Halifax, N.S., Canada, has sponsored a literacy program at an inner-city school for the past four years. It is an early-intervention program beginning in primary school.
Most of the children come from families who are very disadvantaged financially and educationally. Our club supports this program not only with money but with volunteers as well, with the aim of having one volunteer working with one child when the numbers allow.
This program has been so successful that the children in grade five are all functioning at their appropriate level or above. Before the program started, most students were well below their grade level in literacy at this school. Now teachers from more advantaged areas are constantly e-mailing and calling the founder of this program, Mary LeBlanc, a resource teacher at the school, for insight into how she has achieved this.
In light of our success, I would have to disagree with the letter writer’s views on why children in school today are not as literate as we would wish. Early intervention, assessment, an effective program, and manpower seem to be the secrets to success in this program. Because literacy is so important, the effort needed is well worth the result.
Bob Power
Herring Cove, N.S., Canada

I was glad to see literacy addressed in the July issue [Letters]. In the world at large and in the United States, ignorance as a result of widespread inability to read is a pandemic as deadly as polio was at its peak. Until we recognize that truth and respond, the death toll will continue to rise from such things as starvation and tribal conflicts.
The Rotary Club of Fairfield-Suisun, Calif., has for a number of years supported a program that helps preschool children learn to read successfully.
Murray T. Bass
Suisun City, Calif., USA

A good choice

Contrary to the sentiments expressed in your July letters to the editor, I regard Jane Goodall as an outstanding choice for keynote speaker for the RI Convention. I may not agree with all of her views or with “saving the planet,” but I do consider her an outstanding scientist.
Surely you do not want to have only speakers who agree with your views. How can we ever grow if we close our minds to different ideas?
James A. Huston
Lynchburg, Va., USA

I was surprised to read two letters to the editor critical of Jane Goodall, and cannot remember a recent publication taking aim at any of our other speakers either for being photographed as inappropriately dressed or being hyperpolitical. Dr. Goodall is an accomplished scientist, and the scientific community generally regards her work as groundbreaking and of great importance. She was a tremendous inspiration to me as a child, and her work helped me decide to become a veterinarian.
To have her trivialized because of personal politics or whatever is considered “proper” attire for women is particularly offensive considering that this magazine serves North America, and that while I may not agree politically or sartorially with someone whose image appears in our magazine, as a scientist, I am honored to have Dr. Goodall as a speaker.
Rotarians are a diverse group, and I suspect that we do not hold universal opinions on any subject, but we do agree that the Object of Rotary aims to increase peace, health, respect, and understanding in the world. Thank you for asking Dr. Goodall to speak, as I believe the body of her work does indeed promote these ideals.
Kelly Byam
Sacramento, Calif., USA

Insight into the Gates

Outstanding piece about [Bill] Gates Sr. [July]. Every Rotarian and every parent should read every word. Terrific story about an obviously insightful and well-grounded, great man and his family. Now I understand how Bill Gates Jr. accomplished so much!
Tommy Jefferson
Eatonton, Ga., USA

Focus on fellowship

I don’t get it. As stated on the calendar in the June issue, “June is Rotary Fellowships Month.” The only other mention of Rotary Fellowships in the magazine was the pop quiz on page 55 and the crossword puzzle on page 56. The whole issue could have been built around Rotary Fellowships, which would have been positive and uplifting. Instead, the magazine fell in line with the rest of the media and dwelled on the negative: the economic downturn. Yes, there were positive aspects mentioned, but most of these were good old common sense.
Jim Skelly
Houston, Texas, USA