It took a lot of strategic planning, tweaks and turns on the part of the steering committee to develop a plan that fits the needs and curriculum objectives of the Akron Public Schools. 

But they came up with a volunteer tutoring program that is sustainable and will have measurable results -- key attributes of any successful education initiative.

At FirstEnergy, I'm proud of the nearly 100 employees who worked with students at our adopted schools -- Crosby elementary and Robinson Academy.  I believe that so many of them got involved because I asked them.  You, as a business leader, will have to do the same because the commitment must come from the head of the company.

Of course, we don’t expect any one company to produce anywhere near 100 volunteers, and  the AkronReads Steering Committee can help your organization make it fit with your resources and your schedule.

At FirstEnergy, we form two-member teams, and each team is assigned to one student.  Our employees share tutoring responsibilities for one hour every other week and fill in for each other when one can’t make it.  And, they do not have to make up the time on their jobs.

While this format reduces the total number of students we’re able to work with, it lessens the impact on employee work schedules and the administrative responsibilities of finding substitutes on a regular basis. 

In our experience, this format makes it possible to continue our involvement on a long-term basis.  The success of the program depends on volunteers keeping their commitments to the students.  Having a partner helps assure this.

This year -- because of work obligations -- only about 60 of our employees are able to tutor on a regular basis.   However, the others have agreed to continue to serve as substitutes when needed.

I can understand your concerns about releasing employees for an hour a week to volunteer in the classroom.  After all, we have businesses to run!

However, it’s because we have businesses to run and communities to grow, that we need skilled and educated employees and citizens.  AkronReads is an investment in our future.

There are many ways you can become involved.  You'll find that educators and students are more than willing to accommodate the schedules of your employees. It doesn't matter how many volunteers you have.  One or 100 -- each person can have a profound impact on the reading ability of a student.

I urge you to become involved and support this volunteer initiative. The rewards are great and the experience of helping children discover the love and joy of reading is something you won’t forget – and neither will they.