Tom Ripperda - Chair St.
Clair County West
EarlyAct� is a school-wide service club for elementary students from
ages 5 to 13. It is sponsored by one of the local Rotary clubs in the
township in which the school is located. The mission and operation of
EarlyAct� are closely linked to the ideals of Rotary and provide the
foundation and natural succession into Interact.
EarlyAct� provides young students the
opportunity for gaining an increased awareness and knowledge of their
community and the world. At a young age, all students can easily be
encouraged to be caring and helpful. Their minds are open to recognize
the dignity and worth of each individual which builds respect for
others.
EarlyAct� also engages students in
character-building activities and prepares them for leadership roles to
identify and carry out projects which benefit their school, local and
global communities.
Currently our district has EarlyAct
at:
Edgemont
Elementary School, 8300 Washington, East St. Louis District 189
EarlyAct� teaches Caring, Respect,
Empathy, Responsibility, Tolerance, Citizenship, Compassion, Friendship,
Leadership
Objectives Of EarlyAct�
The purpose of EarlyAct� is to
provide young students with the opportunities to participate in active
citizenship in a culturally diverse democratic society within an
interdependent world.
EarlyAct�: Partners in Character
Education addresses the following objectives:
1. The students develop committed
citizenship and leadership qualities by identifying and taking
responsibilities for real life problems within their school, local and
global communities.
2. The students realize the
importance of respect, dignity and caring for all people by promoting
good will and understanding through their active participation at
school, local and community levels.
3. The students develop high
student achievement by actively participating in various projects to
improve the quality of life for their school, local and global
communities. They work with the sponsoring Rotary club members as
facilitators, mentors and role models.
How To Start An EarlyAct� Club
If a Rotary Club has an interest in
sponsoring an EarlyAct� Club, it can begin by appointing an EarlyAct�
subcommittee. One committee member can agree to act as the Rotarian
advisor to the EarlyAct� Club which involves attending meetings and
offering guidance on service projects. Once the EarlyAct� subcommittee
has become familiar with all the elements of the EarlyAct� program, it
can make a presentation to its Rotary Club.
After the Rotary Club has approved
sponsorship, the EarlyAct� subcommittee can contact the appropriate
school official or principal to discuss plans for an EarlyAct� Club. The
EarlyAct� subcommittee can schedule a presentation to the executive
board of the P.T.A., then the subcommittee and the principal can discuss
the meeting time, place and faculty involvement. It is optimal to have
several faculty advisors. The faculty advisors are the driving force
behind EarlyAct� because they are there, on site, to guide the students
in carrying out the day-to-day activities of the club.
The initial meeting of the EarlyAct�
Club establishes the goals and objectives of the club. EarlyActors plan
service projects which benefit their school and local communities, and
those which promote international understanding.
Plan an inaugural �kick-off� event.
Invite the District Governor, the mayor, and any other special guests.
Prepare a press release. It is critical to contact the press and news
media to publicize the event.
GUIDELINES OF EarlyAct�
EarlyAct� is a school-wide service
club in which all students are members. The EarlyAct� Club is
self-supporting and carries out three service projects annually�one each
for their school and local communities, and one which furthers
international understanding.
The EarlyAct� Club meets twice
monthly for thirty minutes. Meetings are conducted by the EarlyAct�
officers. Two rotating representatives from each class attend the
meetings. Meetings are conducted using parliamentary procedure, under
the guidance of attending faculty and Rotarian advisors.
Officers of EarlyAct� are selected
from the two senior classes of an elementary school. For example, in a
Kindergarten through fifth Grade school, the President, Vice President,
Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Second Vice President and Corresponding
Secretary are assigned from the fourth and fifth grade classes. Officers
are appointed by faculty advisors based on leadership assessment and
teacher recommendation.
There are no dues. Monies for
projects and activities are raised through EarlyAct� Club activities.
The EarlyAct� Club submits an annual report to the sponsoring Rotary
Club.
GUIDELINES FOR ESTABLISHING
EarlyAct�
I. Rotary Club Responsibilities
A. Formulate EarlyAct�
subcommittee within your club
- Appoint chairperson
- Act as liaison between Rotary Club, EarlyAct�, school and
PTA
- Meet with Principal or school official to discuss
plans for EarlyAct�
- Presentation to PTA and,or Executive Board to discuss
plans
- Invite District Governor to kickoff event
- Prepare press releases for kickoff and other
activities
- At least 2 committee members act as Rotarian Advisors to
EarlyAct� Club
- Administer Leadership Assessment* to select officers
from upper two grades and/or act upon teacher recommendation
B. General Club membership
- Attend EarlyAct� kickoff
event
- Act as facilitators, role models and mentors to
EarlyActors.
- Participate in EarlyAct� activities and projects
- Attend EarlyAct� meetings when possible.
- Assist in Leadership Assessment review and selection of
officers.
C. Financial commitment
- Start-up seed money
- Donations of supplies or equipment i.e., tape recorder,
video camera
D. Recognize EarlyAct� members
achievements
- Leadership and citizenship
awards to EarlyActors
- Parent and faculty advisor recognition
- Invite EarlyAct� officers to your Rotary Club meeting.
II School/PTA responsibilities
A. Select EarlyAct� faculty and
parent advisors
- Attend EarlyAct� meetings
- Offer assistance and guidelines in service projects
- Guide officers in Parliamentary Procedures
B. Set EarlyAct� meeting schedule
- Meet at least bi-monthly
- One half hour meeting
- Suggest meeting during lunch time or other in school
activity period
C. Classroom teacher selects 2
representatives for each meeting, rotating selection
D. Support by participation in EarlyAct� activities and service
projects
III. EarlyAct� Club responsibilities
A. Officers
- President � senior class *
- First Vice President � senior class *
- Second Vice President � junior class
- Recording Secretary � senior class *
- Corresponding Secretary � junior class
- Treasurer � either class
B. Class representatives � 2 from
each classroom, rotating to give more children an opportunity to
participate
C. Establish goals and objectives of EarlyAct� Club including Service
Areas
D. Plan and organize projects and
activities
- Select student chairs of
committees
- School community
- Local community
- Global community
- Choose activities that encompass service areas and
involve the student body and Rotary Club
* Selected from the oldest class of the Elementary School.
Downloads:
EarlyAct Student Handbook
CHAT ROOM
BACK
|