The International Order of The King’s Daughters and Sons (IOKDS) is an international, interdenominational organization of Christian men and women whose aim is to carry out religious, educational, and philanthropic projects in their communities. The Order is comprised of members across the United States and Canada. In Canada, the majority of members belong to Circles within the Ontario Branch.
In 2017 and 2018, a number of King’s Daughters and Sons participated in the Graduation Ceremonies of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle (CLSC) at Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York. The CLSC is the oldest, continuous book club/home reading course in America.
As the number of IOKDS members joining the CLSC grew, so too did the idea of establishing a lending library of CLSC books at Chautauqua, and out of that rose the idea of forming a Circle (and perhaps someday a Chapter) of IOKDS members who love to read. In 2018, the idea became a reality and the Circle was established.
Individuals who wish to join the IOKDS Literacy Circle do not, however, have to join the CLSC. The draft Mission Statement for the Circle lists the following as some of its objectives:
- Promote and support literacy – reading and learning – as valued activities;
- Encourage and help others to learn to read and read to learn;
- Provide a forum for members to discuss books they have read or other topics of interest;
- Contribute to and maintain the IOKDS Literacy Circle Lending Library in Benedict House at Chautauqua (some books are also held in a Library in Ottawa);
- Promote and support The International Order of the King’s Daughters and Sons;
- Help to increase membership in the IOKDS Literacy Circle and the Order; and
- Promote the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle (CLSC) Book Club at Chautauqua.
Because IOKDS Literacy Circle has members from both Canada and the United States, communication is done via email. The Circle also produces and distributes a Newsletter to Circle members approximately four times a year. The Newsletters contain news, articles, and games related to literacy.
The Circle welcomes all who love to read to join.
For additional information about the CLSC, visit https://chq.org/schedule/resident-programs/literary-arts/clsc/
For additional information about IOKDS Literacy Circle, please contact info@thekingsdaughtersandsons.ca.