Summary Highlights of the First Annual Meeting of The Movement for Canadian Literacy

Friday Evening: Informal wine and cheese party hosted and organized by the South Central Ontario Chapter at Frontier College provided an opportunity for members to mingle socially.

Saturday Morning: Delegates welcomed by Alan Clarke, Chairman of the Interim Board. The Meeting was called to 1) look over the developments of the last 11 months; and 2) determine the future direction of The Movement - the shape of the Board of Directors; , & 3) to select an auditor. Alan mentioned that the Interim Board had received the resignation of Audrey Thomas with extreme regret.

Audrey then gave a summary of the year's activities. She recapped the historical events which led to the formation of The Movement at the end of October, 1977. Then outlined the activities of the next three months which were primarily geared to launching a membership campaign, and producing various publications.

Audrey reported that the Movement now has over 400 members made up of a variety of educational institutions, government departments and volunteer 'literacy councils as well as individual members. The membership is spread across the country but has its greatest numbers in Ontario.

Mention was also made of the current work being undertaken to produce a directory of programs and a literacy resource kit. Briefs had been submitted to various levels of government and commissions and the South Central Ontario members had organized themselves into an ongoing entity.

The biggest impact, however, had been with the media involvement - television and press. These had had the effect of legitimating the adult literacy issue in Canada and had also been the source of many new initiatives. In response to the demand and with the aid of Ontario government grants, the office was able to survive past the fiscal year and into the fall. In response to many requests and a need for further training, an LVA Workshop was arranged in August. People attended from all over Ontario.

Audrey said that many people were disturbed by her departure, but for her, the Movement had always been the people in the field, so it was really everyone working together to pro- -vide better conditions for the adults we are trying to serve. In conclusion, she asked the members to be realistic in their deliberations during the balance of the day.

The financial statement for the past fiscal year was then presented, explained and accepted. (See copy in this Newsletter.)

Three Working Groups then discussed the various issues facing the Movement and after a working lunch, reconvened to share their recommendations and suggestions. Motions regarding the shape of the Board and operations of the Movement were then passed and the I members went into election of Directors. The Board is to have 8 regional representatives and 7 members at large. The results were as follows:

* Charles Craig was subsequently elected President of the Movement.

Roger Emmenecker of Lalonde, Angers, Emmenecker & Associes was appointed auditor.