The Rotary Club of Natick has been working to address one of Rotary International's core mission - increasing literacy - since 2006. Every year since then, the club has organized and participated in a Dictionary Project, in which every third grader in the Natick Public Schools receives their very own, customized, copy of "A Student's Dictionary". The first 2/3 of the book serves as a traditional dictionary, the last 1/3 is an almanac filled with many useful facts the students find most interesting. 
Among the many offerings are a sign language letter guide, the periodic table, information about all 50 states and all the presidents. It also contains the world's longest word, and maps of the world. It's a small book, but it's packed with information. Inside each cover is a customized book plate stating the student's name, school, a web link for the Rotary Club of Natick, and the Rotary four-way test.Students this age don't have many books with their name printed inside, and it's thought that it empowers the student and hopefully increases the
pride of ownership in it. This year 432 students received the dictionary in the 4 Natick elementary
schools. When they receive the books, local club members introduce Rotary, letting them know that the Rotary Club is an organization made up of men and women who live, work and serve here in Natick. Here is part of the presentation:
'Members get together for a meeting once a week, trying to find different ways to provide service and help people who live here in our town. Sometimes we serve food to people who need a meal. Other times, we give money to families or students who need a little extra help. The neat part about it is that we are not alone. There are Rotary clubs all throughout Massachusetts also trying to help serve people. But that’s not all. There are
clubs all through the New England States. There are, in fact, Rotary Clubs in every part of the United States – from Alaska to Idaho to Hawaii – all filled with business people and community leaders who get together once a week to try to help people. But even that’s not all. There are Rotary Clubs throughout the world – in Japan, India, Mexico, and a lot more countries than that! In fact, there are over 1.2 million members that belong to 33,000 clubs in 200 countries. Now that’s a lot of people!'
Sometimes the kids gasp at that. After the introduction, the students are asked a few questions to get them used to thumbing through the book. Sometimes it's a little hard to get them settled down, as there is a lot of excitement in the room. We part with a wish that they work hard and to use the books in their studies. We also remind them that one of our local middle schools has a very active Interact club, if they wish to learn for themselves how to serve others. Kendra Weiler, a long-time third grade teacher at Memorial Elementary School said, "Every year I can see it in the kid's faces. Many of them have older siblings who have received dictionaries. So many kids know it's coming. They are so excited, and we use them often in the classroom. All the teachers are grateful for the Rotary Club of Natick's generosity."
pride of ownership in it. This year 432 students received the dictionary in the 4 Natick elementary
schools. When they receive the books, local club members introduce Rotary, letting them know that the Rotary Club is an organization made up of men and women who live, work and serve here in Natick. Here is part of the presentation:
'Members get together for a meeting once a week, trying to find different ways to provide service and help people who live here in our town. Sometimes we serve food to people who need a meal. Other times, we give money to families or students who need a little extra help. The neat part about it is that we are not alone. There are Rotary clubs all throughout Massachusetts also trying to help serve people. But that’s not all. There are
clubs all through the New England States. There are, in fact, Rotary Clubs in every part of the United States – from Alaska to Idaho to Hawaii – all filled with business people and community leaders who get together once a week to try to help people. But even that’s not all. There are Rotary Clubs throughout the world – in Japan, India, Mexico, and a lot more countries than that! In fact, there are over 1.2 million members that belong to 33,000 clubs in 200 countries. Now that’s a lot of people!'
Sometimes the kids gasp at that. After the introduction, the students are asked a few questions to get them used to thumbing through the book. Sometimes it's a little hard to get them settled down, as there is a lot of excitement in the room. We part with a wish that they work hard and to use the books in their studies. We also remind them that one of our local middle schools has a very active Interact club, if they wish to learn for themselves how to serve others. Kendra Weiler, a long-time third grade teacher at Memorial Elementary School said, "Every year I can see it in the kid's faces. Many of them have older siblings who have received dictionaries. So many kids know it's coming. They are so excited, and we use them often in the classroom. All the teachers are grateful for the Rotary Club of Natick's generosity."