Board of Directors 2008-2009
The Literacy Plus Board of Directors for 2008/2009 was elected at the Annual General Meeting in June, and appointed its officers at its first meeting. The directors and officers are:
Linda McLaren |
Chair |
Faye Larocque-Drake |
Vice Chair |
Michael Wendt |
Secretary |
Michele Joyce |
Treasurer |
Barbara Dubé |
Director |
Ross Meadows |
Director |
Ethel Ryan |
Director |
Laura Zdyrko joined the Board in September. We are still seeking two members to fill out the 10 Board positions. We are particularly looking for representation from the Renfrew/ Arnprior area and the north Renfrew area, but we are open to members from other places. If you, or someone you know, may be interested, please contact the office at (613) 628-1720 for more information.
The Board's priority this year is the Community Partnership Campaign launched last June. Fundraising plans are also underway: the Christmas concert takes place November 28 and planning has begun for the 2009 Authors Festival and golf tournament. Board committees are continuing the review and updating of the Bylaws and policies. Revised Bylaws will be presented at the Annual General Meeting in June 2009 for approval of the membership.
Tutors Needed
Literacy Plus needs tutors everywhere in the County, and particularly in Arnprior, Renfrew, Douglas, Petawawa and Deep River. If you know anyone who might be interested, please tell them about Literacy Plus and ask them to call us to find out more.
Blankets for Babies
Literacy Plus recently contributed 45 receiving blankets for an international project organized by the Petawawa Rotary Club.
At the Rotary Club's June meeting, Program Director Diane Litchfield and Board Chair Linda McLaren learned of the club's project to collect 1,000 blankets for babies in El Salvador. On a visit to that country, one of the club members had seen babies being sent home from hospital wrapped in newspaper.
Back at Literacy Plus, Linda asked volunteer Maxine Golden if she would sew blankets. Linda donated her own supply of flannelette. Maxine contributed fabric herself and solicited more—enough for 45 blankets. Then she got to work. Linda and Maxine delivered the blankets to the Rotary Club at its September meeting, along with two baby sweaters crocheted by Maxine's daughter.
The Club was very pleased and Literacy Plus was pleased to be able to help out one of its important sponsors in this way. In June, the Petawawa Rotary Club donated $1,000 to Literacy Plus to support literacy services in the county—and became one of Literacy Plus's first Community Partners.
International Literacy Day
September 8 was International Literacy Day. Created by UNESCO in the 1960s, the day is dedicated each year to promoting lifelong learning to the nearly 774 million adults around the world who struggle with literacy. Around the world, one in five adults is still not literate— two thirds of them are women. In Canada, nine million people (more than 40%) face some degree of literacy challenge.
In today's work force, the skills and education levels needed are increasing, yet millions of people lack essential skills. International Literacy Day encourages potential learners to seek help and take the first step to upgrade their skills.