After nearly a decade, the Rowan Reading Association has been revived.
“Our main goal is to make the public aware of literacy needs within Rowan County and to support reading and writing in our community,” said Melissa Brown.
Brown was involved in the Greater Cabarrus Reading Association when she taught in Concord, but when she began working as a reading specialist at Salisbury Academy, she realized Rowan County was lacking general literacy support.
“This area needed this avenue again,” she said.
When they initially tried to start the group at the end of last school year, it received a small response, but since renewing efforts at the beginning of this school year, the effort has taken off.
The group of five organizers has almost tripled, and the group only needs six more members in order to receive a charter from the North Carolina Reading Association. They also are in the process of revising the bylaws — the other requirement for a charter.
Once the group receives a charter, it will be associated with the International Reading Association as well as the North Carolina Reading Association. They hope to receive that charter by the beginning of the year.
The group will focus on literacy awareness for both children and adults.
“We want people to be aware of what they can do to promote literacy,” Brown said.
Members will fund-raise once or twice a year for literacy efforts within the county, such as the public library’s Stories to Go Bookmobile.
“We may go to an agency like Rowan Helping Ministries to get books in children’s hands,” she added.
They also plan to provide workshops to help teachers with current leadership practices, as well as attend the North Carolina Reading Conference.
Brown said she plans to promote Young Authors, a statewide writing contest. Students write an essay on a specific topic and are judged on a school, county and state level. Winning entries are published.
The Rowan Reading Association is comprised of educators, parents and community members.
Rowan Reading Association’s next meeting is Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. at Cauble Creek Vineyards.
Their first fundraiser will be held immediately after the meeting at 2 p.m. The cost for the “Wine Down and Paint” event is $40 and includes painting supplies.
For more information about the fundraiser or becoming a member, contact Melissa Brown at mmbsal@yahoo.com