Rotarian Denis Cowhig has agreed to provide one program a month on the Rotary monthly theme and began with a program today on Literacy and Basic Education. He first defined the problem by citing statistics on illiteracy in the world and in Texas, which ranks last in adult literacy in the US. Further statistics illustrated the relationship of illiteracy to poverty. Then followed a list of things we can do to address the problem: mentor, teacher training, teacher coaching, scholarships, adult literacy (ESL), and an adult program in India which combines adult literacy with economic literacy. And, in a stroke of genius, Denis listed Rotary International's areas of emphasis for International programs, which include literacy and basic education, and illustrated how all are interrelated and dependent in a large part on literacy. In conclusion, he showed a short video from RI. The program certainly provided fertile ground for several service projects then suggested by members.