Sara Poehlman has joined Rotary as the new Basic Education and Literacy (BEL) Area of Focus Manager, bringing 25 years of experience in education and peacebuilding across 40 countries. She plans to collaborate with members of the BEL Rotary Action Group (BELRAG) and build upon the initiatives of her predecessor, Dr. Regina Fuller-White.
Poehlman recognizes an opportunity for Rotarians to increase their impact, especially in light of recent cuts to both national and international assistance budgets. Poehlman aims to accelerate progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. Read more »
BELRAG was formed in 2011. We are a network of Rotarians and others passionate across the world who have a special interest in acting upon the mission and goals of Rotary International related to alleviating illiteracy; enhancing literacy teaching and learning globally, and helping to provide materials and equipment for literacy education at different levels. Like all Action Groups, BELRAG is an autonomous association of like-minded Rotarians, partners of Rotarians, and Rotaractors working in partnership with Clubs and Districts on basic education and literacy projects of mutual concern. Learn more about the history of BELRAG here.
BELRAG’s Mission and Goals
Increasing general awareness of the severity of illiteracy throughout the world; and its effect on the quality of the lives of individuals, families, communities, and nations from generation to generation.
Increasing awareness among Rotarians, Rotary Clubs, and Rotary Districts of ways they can implement basic education and literacy projects that strengthen the capacity of communities to provide education and literacy to all.
Assisting Rotarians, Rotary Clubs, and Rotary Districts to increase the scale and effectiveness of their participation in the alleviation of illiteracy and its consequences - supporting the pursuit of the Object of Rotary by providing programs for both children and adults and reducing gender disparity in education.
Actively collaborate with Rotarians to establish partnerships for projects involving other areas of focus.
What Strategies does BELRAG use to achieve its Goals?
The following strategies are among those that are used to achieve BELRAG’s goals.
Publicize the extent and consequences of illiteracy in terms of human experience and welfare using a website, newsletters, pamphlets, diverse other publications, displays, and conferences;
Attract and involve Rotarians, their partners, and Rotaractors as BELRAG members;
Develop support systems for Rotary basic education and literacy activities, including the nomination of project advisers, and
Develop productive relationships with appropriate non-Rotary organizations and agencies, e.g. International Reading Association
Lots of Great Webinars - click Here
See all of their bulletins / Newsletters - click Here
Here is a link to their Project Directory - Want to help a project? Want to get help with a project?
The Basic Education and Literacy Rotary Action Group Expertise Teams are groups of knowledgeable members gathered around a BEL topic, who provide support and promotion of the goals of BELRAG and The Rotary Foundation.
To find our more , click Here
The Literacy Mission of Rotary: Why Educate Girls?
Around 129 million girls worldwide are out of school, with 60 million lacking access to basic education. According to UNESCO, two-thirds of the world’s 960 million illiterate people are women. In conflict-affected areas, girls are twice as likely to miss school, and 1 in 4 girls (ages 15–19) are neither in education nor employment, compared to 1 in 10 boys.
Read more about the key benefits of educating girls.
Interested in making a difference? Join the Girls’ Education Professional Team of Experts or learn more about this Rotary initiative by contacting Anu Narula, Girls’ Education Chair, Basic Education and Literacy Rotary Action Group Board of Directors, at: mylife2reinvented@gmail.com.
Join BELRAG to help shape the programs and activities for the coming year. All BELRAG members are invited, encouraged, and welcomed to participate in the Annual Meeting. Agenda items will include:
Business meeting to review membership, finances
Election of Officers and New Board Members
Review of 2024-2025 programs and events
Planning for 2025-2026
Two sessions of the AGM will be offered to accommodate our worldwide membership. Use these links to register to attend one (or both!) sessions:
Tuesday, 29 July 8:00 AM (Eastern) Registration Link Session 1
Tuesday, 29 July 20:00 (Eastern) Registration Link Session 2
Proposed Slate of Officers:
Chair: Nancy Leonhardt, RC of West Little Rock, USA
Vice-Chair Anthony Bloom, RC of Washington Global, USA
Secretary: Carol Marcotte, RC of Saco Bay Sunset, USA
Treasurer: Carolyn Johnson, RC of Yarmouth, USA
Chair Emeritus: Carolyn Johnson, RC of Yarmouth, USA
We look forward to seeing you on the 29th of July to celebrate the MAGIC OF ROTARY in 2024-2025 and hear your ideas to engage to UNITE FOR GOOD!
In Rotary Service,
Nancy Leonhardt
Chair, BELRAG