Club Business
President Jim Cartner brought the meeting to order. Susan Watson led the prayer and pledge of allegiance to the US flag. Penny Scott will be with us on September 14 to share more about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. We will also vote on our new bylaws; so, try to be on hand for that. On the twenty-first, our District Governor, Claudia Canady, will be our speaker. Jim read a very nice thank you note from Sophia Woodall, daughter of Ed and an Exchange Student we recently sponsored. Micah Fox introduced his guest, Tyronna Hooker, who is the Director of Alamance Achieves and the 2013 ABSS Teacher of the Year. She is considering joining Rotary, and we hope she chooses our club! Good job, Micah!
- Jason Crutchfield asked for support for his upcoming 26-mile hike to raise $2500 for the Make -a-Wish Foundation. Any contribution will be appreciated.
- Carolyn Rhode spent a few minutes telling us about her beloved grandfather who recently died at the amazing age of 105. He was a Minnesota railroad man of Scandinavian descent. He took rail trips all over the world. Carolyn hopes the weather will not prohibit her attending his funeral.
Club Member Responsible for Our Program: Lee Isley
Lee claims to be the most boring man in our club, but that is a doubtful title. His claim to fame is his amazing wife Lisa, who teaches at Burlington Christian Academy. His daughter is a junior in that school. They live in Snow Camp. Lee works for Fairway Outdoor Advertising. He has been a member of our club since August 2016 and was sponsored by Micah Fox.
Jennifer Mock – Director, ACC Academic and Career Readiness Adult Literacy Programs
Jennifer Mock has worked at ACC for 15 years, and the position she now holds is the most rewarding of her career. After raising raising three daughters in Mebane, where she lives with her husband, she is happily devoting her time to a career that benefits our community and builds literacy in our citizens. She says it is a joy to work with her students, especially the ones who suffer some form of disability. The Career Readiness Program imparts academic and life skills, reduces poverty through education, promotes good citizenship, and contributes to workforce development. She told us that Alamance County is soon to be designated a Work Ready Community, which is attractive to businesses considering locating in our area.
The Career Readiness Program includes the following.
Adult Basic Education
The Adult Basic Education (ABE) program includes basic reading, writing, and math skills. These FREE classes are appropriate for beginning adult readers through the intermediate reading level who have the ability to benefit from an academic setting as determined by ACC’s reading assessments. Students may enter ABE courses at any time and progress at their own pace. ABE students receive targeted reading and math instruction in a small group environment by trained specialists in our classrooms and computer labs so that they may transition to High School Equivalency (GED and HiSET) level classes.
High School Equivalency
The Academic and Career Readiness program prepares adults to take the official GED® and/or HiSET® tests to complete their high school credentials. ACC also offers Adult High School, another High School Equivalency pathway for adults. Areas of study include Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics. Classes are offered morning, afternoon, and evenings; distance options are also available. The college also offers test fee scholarships and selected free college classes through their Basic Skills Plus program to qualified students enrolled in the program. ACC collaborates with ABSS in this endeavor.
English as a Second Language
The English as a Second Language (ESL) program helps adults whose first language is not English to improve their English speaking, reading, and writing skills. Students may also choose to prepare for the US citizenship test and/or enroll in a computer literacy class. Classes are held at the main Carrington-Scott (Graham) campus, at the Dillingham Center (Burlington), and community sites throughout Alamance County. Students may enter ESL courses at any time after an initial intake appointment and progress at their own pace. All ESL classes are FREE, and free childcare is provided at our off campus locations.
In addition, ACC offers transitional and career pathways programs. Jennifer encouraged club members to consider volunteering in her program, saying that many opportunities are available.
Conclusion
Thomas Phelps contributed to our long standing tradition of waiting to late in the game to draw the winning Ace of Hearts, generously leaving the pot to grow. Jim presented Jennifer with a book in honor of our emphasis on literacy. Then we all stood to recite Rotary’s four way test before Jim adjourned the meeting.
Until next time…