Fall in Love with Learning
Dear Rotarians,
September is Rotary’s Basic Education and Literacy Month, and it also begins our District 5150 Fall in Love — Education & Literacy season.
When we talk about education, we often think about classrooms, books, and teachers. But education can also be the moment when a young person discovers something new about themselves.
I saw that through RYLA.
Young people can arrive at RYLA unsure of themselves, sometimes quiet and hesitant. Then something begins to change. Through teamwork, leadership activities, new friendships, and encouragement from people who believe in them, they begin to find their voices.
Some return years later not as participants, but as leaders helping the next group of students discover their own potential.
That is the power of education.
It doesn't simply give us knowledge. It builds confidence, creates opportunity, and can change the direction of a life.
According to Rotary International’s Supporting Education information, more than 775 million people over age 15 cannot read or write — about 17% of the world's adult population. Rotary works to strengthen education and literacy, reduce gender disparities in education, and increase adult literacy.
Here in District 5150, we are doing our part in many different ways.
Through RYLA, we are developing tomorrow's leaders.
Through Interact, young people learn leadership through service and discover that they don't have to wait until adulthood to make a difference.
Our clubs support scholarships, schools, books, dictionary projects, literacy programs, and education projects here in our communities and around the world. Our Rotary Foundation and District Designated Funds help turn many of these ideas into action.
Different projects. Different communities. Different ages.
But they all have something in common:
We are opening doors.
A book can open a door.
A scholarship can open a door.
A mentor can open a door.
A RYLA experience can open a door.
And sometimes, one Rotarian believing in one young person can open a door that stays open for a lifetime.
During our Fall in Love season, I encourage every club to ask one simple question:
What door can we help open through education?
Maybe your club can partner with a school, support a teacher, sponsor a student for RYLA, strengthen an Interact club, provide scholarships, support a literacy project, or work with another Rotary club on an education project.
And please share your stories with us. I know wonderful education and literacy projects are happening throughout Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo counties. When we share these stories, we not only celebrate our impact — we give other clubs ideas and inspiration to take action.
This fall, let's Fall in Love with Learning and turn that love into lasting impact.
One District. One Heart.
YuHui Chen
District Governor 2026–2027
Rotary District 5150
District Governor 2026–2027
Rotary District 5150
Learn more: Rotary International — Supporting Education