Fall 2006
Inside The Book* * * * * * * * * * |
Margaret Pfaff, a representative of ProLiteracy America, visited the LV-A office on May 22, 2006 to examine affiliate operations, practices and documentation. Late in June, we received word from ProLiteracy America that we had been awarded accreditation. Mark Cass, Accreditation Coordinator, stated accreditation is designed to recognize literacy organizations that are distinguished by superior professional leadership, effective programs, committed governing boards, and outstanding volunteer support. Literacy Volunteers of Greater Augusta was recognized for excellence in each of these areas.
Board members have been working on accreditation since the annual retreat last July. The accreditation standards are organized in three areas: Student Centered Services, Tutor/Instructor Services, and Organization Management. The board developed an accreditation manual which addresses each of these areas and shows how we are working to meet the standards. As the board members developed the manual, they learned a lot about the organization and its strengths and weaknesses. Several areas were identified that could use more work and ways of improving them were developed.
Accreditation is quite an achievement as only one in four affiliates reaches that level of recognition. The Board felt quite a sense of accomplishment and a big sigh of relief upon achieving this recognition!
~ Jenny Smith
The Board of Directors held its annual retreat at A Rise and Shine Bed and Breakfast in Monmouth on Thursday, August 10, 2006. A busy day was planned by our chairperson, Lori Gray. It was a beautiful day and we found our hosts at the B & B to be very accommodating.
After an initial icebreaker in which we all shared something about ourselves we settled down to work. We identified the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in the organization and found that the areas we identified as needing work were things that Lori had identified as things to focus on for that day. The Board seems to have a good grasp on the things we need to work on.
Recruitment of students, tutors, and Board members topped our priorities. Lengthy discussions were held identifying ways in which to accomplish this task. Several ideas were brought up and initial plans for their implementation were made. All present felt that we need to get our current members more involved in the organization, particularly those who took tutor training and are not currently tutoring as we do have students waiting for tutors at the present time.
Fundraising and promotion were also discussed with several ideas explored. All in all, the day was a success. Look for implementation of new projects over the coming year.
~ Jenny Smith
LV-A- serves eighteen communities and there is a continuing demand for basic literacy tutors in nearly every one. To meet that need LVA conducts a series of tutor training workshops in the fall and spring. This season the series focused on HallDale/Marranacook Adult Ed. and so the workshop is being held in the newly refurbished HallDale High School on Maple Street in Farmingdale. The series begins with a workshop/orientation on Sept. 26 starting at 5:30PM, and continues through the first of November. There will be light refreshments and real live tutors on hand
Tutor training begins by exploring the special needs and learning styles of adults. New tutors then relearn learning to read, a subject they might not have thought about for twenty five or thirty years! For most adults, literacy is ingrained in our lives. Yet, one of every six people in Kennebec County can’t read well enough to fill out the application for a Social Security Card. In the later sessions, tutors-in-training plan lessons and work with real-life materials. This workshop series will have a special emphasis on using the worldwide web for literacy training.
To reserve a spot in the training session contact the LV-A Office at 626-3440.
The work of LVA-Augusta is made possible in great part by a substantial grant from the United Way. This year the regional literacy initiative was awarded $17,000. In addition to the Basic Tutor Workshop, LV – Augusta is planning a series of workshops for tutors who work with students for whom English is a Second Language.
~ Bob McIntire, Tutor Trainer
International Literacy DayInternational Literacy Day helps brings attention to the nearly 800 million people over the age of 15 who cannot read, write, or do simple math. Here in the Augusta area one in six adults cannot read this sentence.
This year Barnes & Noble Booksellers have graciously offered to donate a portion of sales on September 8th to Literacy Volunteers of Augusta when a voucher ( to the right) is provided at the time of the sale. We hope you will take advantage of this fun and easy way to support the tutoring efforts of LV-A.
Augusta recently received some wonderful material from the Home Safety Council prepared especially for low level and/or non-English readers. This information is very well done and could help save the lives of many of our students. Jenny Small and Bob McIntire will be presenting this material to all of our trained tutors from 6-8pm on September 12 at the LVA office on Water Street in Augusta. We hope many of you will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to pick up some free material to incorporate in your tutoring and to further your knowledge in this important area of literacy. Please call Gail at the LVA office (626-3440) to reserve your spot!
Another great resource for continuing education on adult literacy can be found in the free, on-line courses offered through the Verizon Literacy Campus. Topics currently offered include Culture and English Language Learners, Graphic Organizers, Making Math Manageable, Writing without Fear, Principals of Adult Learning and Preparing for Citizenship - What Volunteers Need to Know. These short courses – most only 45 minutes – can be taken anytime at your convenience. Call the LVA office (626-3440) for more information on how to get credit for these wonderful courses!
**Tutors are reminded that as part of your commitment to tutoring with Literacy Volunteers, you are required to take part in at least one in-service training each year. (The upcoming workshop on home safety literacy and the Verizon Literacy on-line courses all qualify!) This not only keeps us all fresh with ideas and new information, but also supports and encourages us in the ups and downs of our tutoring.
Following is a message from an LV-A student who recently lost her job and is starting a new career:
After graduating from high school I got a job in a factory. After 14 years the company out sourced the jobs overseas and I realized I needed sharper reading skills to find a new job. Thus my beginning with a literacy tutor. Going for continued education was a possibility and I realized I needed to read text books and understand them. As it turned out I have started a business of my own and do some kind of reading daily, including vocabulary words I don’t recognize; writing them down, looking them up in the dictionary and writing out their meanings. My tutor and I go over these weekly to get the correct pronunciation. |