Spring Conference 2002 planned for April

Laubach Literacy of British Columbia board members (left to right) include: Peg Beaton, president; Myrna McGregor, provincial training officer; Bevin Heath Ansley, Lower Mainland representative; Joseph Sequiera, communications and public relations officer; Jane Fitschen, secretary treasurer; and James Hance, student representative (TREE). Not in this picture are: Darcy Allen, vice president; Wayne Cunningham, Laubach Literacy of Canada representative; Gwen Pich, northern representative; Barb Banford, BC Interior representative; Kim Jensen, family literacy representative.

Our Spring Conference in June 2001 was enjoyed by all who attended, thanks to the careful planning by the organizing committee from Richmond Council. But where were all our tutors?

Attendance could have been much better. We were expecting 60 but less than half that many turned out. Could it have had something to do with the time of year? We know that June is usually a busy month for weddings, vacations and the like, so Conference 2002 will be held in April, this time in Kamloops.

Plan to attend. If you received this by mail (and don’t change your address) we’ll send information to you about Spring Conference 2002 after the New Year.

Conference 2001 organizers were Andrew Lyall, Dave Hogg, Lawrence Price, Joseph Sequeira, Nina Dabiria and Jerry Horne.

Message from the President
by Peg Beaton

Thank you to the many volunteers who have support the cause of literacy through Laubach Literacy in British Columbia. The hours you have shared, in tutoring or in council administration, have made a big difference in the quality of life for members of our community. The results of your time and efforts will be like a “smile” that goes for miles and miles.

After attending the Provincial President’s Meeting and the National Laubach Board meetings in Toronto in August, I felt like I had really jumped right in. It was a fast initiation. I quickly identified with other presidents, as the issues raised at our Annual General Meeting are the same across Canada.

The National Laubach Board is proceeding with an organizational evaluation, which will benefit us all.

In the mean time, we will get on with business in British Columbia. The Public Relations and Communications Committee is reviewing a marketing plan prepared for us by a team of students at Simon Fraser University* and we are looking for new ways of supporting our councils with a unified plan of action. Your input is invaluable to your LLBC Board, so I encourage you to contact us with both your “beefs” and “bouquets”.

Kamloops Councils will be planning the LLBC annual general meeting and conference for April 2002. Plan to attend. I would love to meet all of you.

Peg Beaton

* Download the SFU plan at the following website: http://members.home.net/horne7376/LLBC.SFU/