Dolly Parton to speak at 2010 convention

Rotary International News -- 27 October 2009

Dolly Parton will speak at the morning plenary session on 23 June to promote reading among preschool children. Photo courtesy of The Dollywood Foundation

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Country music legend and philanthropist Dolly Parton will be a keynote speaker during the 2010 RI Convention in Montréal, Québec, Canada, 20-23 June.

Parton will speak at the morning plenary session on 23 June to promote reading among preschool children. She and the Dollywood Foundation's Imagination Library teamed up with Rotary International in March to help provide age-appropriate books each month to children from birth until age five. Read more.

Parton will speak to Rotarians about the importance of early childhood reading and how the collaboration with Rotary International has augmented the success of the Imagination Library.

The singer developed a personal love of books while growing up in rural Tennessee, USA, where she saw firsthand the toll that illiteracy can take on families.

"I am thrilled about our partnership with Rotary International," she said in March. "Rotarians love kids as much as I do, so I truly believe we can do something extraordinary together to help even more children love to read and succeed."

Since its launch in 1996, the Imagination Library has provided more than 23 million books to preschoolers.

For more information:

Read about Montréal, site of the 2010 RI Convention, in The Rotarian
Learn more about featured speakers at the Montréal convention
Register today for the 2010 RI Convention, which will be held from 20 to 23 June.

7 Comments:

At 9:13AM on 14 May 2010, EMEKA C. ANYASO wrote: Rotary is strategic in world care for humanity today. Think of the Polio eradication programme and what it has brought to our world. Now with Dolly Parton's Immagination Library partnering with Rotary, the benefits can only be immagined and I believe illiteracy will be eradicated just Polio in the nearest future.

At 8:52AM on 2 November 2009, Eleazar U. Ikpegbu IPP RC of Ikenegbu Owerri D9140 Nigeria wrote: Rotary really makes the world go around. Rotary likes children and Adults and Mankind. Rotary really is good for everyone. Rotary loves literacy. I can't wait to be part of the next convention in Montreal Canada.

At 9:12AM on 2 November 2009, Beverly Greenwood wrote: Having been president of the Kansas Reading Association, I am thrilled to see Dolly's push for youngsters to read!!! We are looking forward to Montreal and Dolly.

At 9:20AM on 2 November 2009, Ayoub Mahmoud Ayoub,Egypt,D-2450 wrote: Many Rotarians of the Convention goers will be interested is seeing more about the endeavours in literacy. A 23 million books record needs to be dubled. Also, Polio eradication is a target within reach now. It needs more concerted action at the last quarter-a-mile. I know of volunteers like Jenny Horton (Australia) doing a nice job at places as far away as Nigeria with enthusiasm and dedication.

At 4:26PM on 30 October 2009, Garland C. "Gary" Moore, PDG D6910 wrote: Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has helped stimulate a lifelong love of learning by children under the age of five years in her native Tennessee, and has begun to spread around the U.S.A. and the world. Her success has served as the inspiration for the creation of the Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy, Inc. - a non-profit organization in Georgia which has modeled itself after Dolly's Imagination Library. With Dolly, and the Ferst Foundation, Georgia's three Rotary Districts 6900, 6910 and 6920 have pledged to work together to attack illiteracy by placing books in the hands of Georgia's 750,000 children under the age of 5 years. A noble goal - and Dolly has been the inspiring force. Be sure to hear her in Montreal - you won't be disappointed!

At 8:53AM on 30 October 2009, Kenan J. Kern, PDG 6920 wrote: The three Rotary Districts in Georgia, 6900, 6910 & 6920 welcomed Dolly Parton to Atlanta in March 2009 as TRF Trustee John Germ joined with the Georgia Districts and made the announcement of the newly formed partnership between Rotary International, Dolly's Imagination Library literacy program, and the Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy that serves the youth of Georgia. Dolly provided a great program, even sang a little and entertained everyone with her talent and passion for literacy advancements. Don't miss this great opportunity to see her and hear her story in Montreal.

At 9:15AM on 28 October 2009, ROGER D. MWEYE wrote: it's very important to attend the convention and make the world better place to live .

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