Research Project Update

Drs Jessie Lees and Ray Doiron continue to work on the UPEI - based research project on Project L.O.V.E.

Dr. Lees said recently that they are presently collecting survey sheets from teachers and from students. There will also be group sessions with students - similar to our focus group sessions - and the data from the volunteer surveys are being collated.

The next phase in which you, the volunteers, will be involved is in tracking. Dr. Lees and Dr. Doiron are designing an easy-to-use tracking form and they are going to ask volunteers from a number of schools to keep records for a two-week period. The records will help specify just exactly which tasks our volunteers are helping with in schools.

Family Literacy Day - Jan. 28 • Family Literacy Carousel - Jan. 29

Every year the importance of Family Literacy is celebrated on January 28th.

This year Premier Pat Binns will sign the Declaration of Family Literacy Day, in recognition of the fact that literacy touches all aspects of life, and is not just an education issue.

On Saturday, January 29, at the Charlottetown Mall from 12 until 4pm there will be a Family Literacy Carousel.

Bringing together the Early Childhood Education Association, Frontier College, and the provincial Library system, the PEI Literacy Alliance hosts the carousel. This year there will be children’s musical entertainment, reading, puppet plays, storytelling, and all sorts of fun.

All are welcome to come and encourage family literacy at this lively event. Kits with information on how families can promote literacy are provided to all.

Celebrate Volunteers During National Volunteer Week - April 17 - 23!

National Volunteer Week is a dedicated week in April set aside to honour and recognize Canadians who volunteer! Not only is it a great time to acknowledge the time and energy contributed by Canada's 6.5 MILLION volunteers, it's the perfect occasion to raise awareness of volunteerism in general.

April 17 -23, 2005 has been set aside as National Volunteer Week this year, and Volunteer Canada provides materials to help celebrate. Visit www.volunteer.ca marketplace to order your FREE National Volunteer Week information package or postcards and posters, while supplies last. Shipping and postage costs apply.

Assistance for groups through PEI Network CVI

Project L.O.V.E. volunteers are often volunteers for lots of other community organizations, so the following might be of interest to some of you:

The PEI Network of the CVI is looking for partner groups to organize and host several events before the end of March. Contact Shari at: peivolunteernetwork@bbema.ca or 886-2188 or 1.866.568.2188 for more information. If your group might be willing to host and help organize any of the following:

The PEI-CVI network has money allotted to cover the costs of these events:

• Mixers- to be held in several communities (this could take the form of a mini volunteer expo with displays by local volunteer groups and an open house in areas outside Summerside or Charlottetown,
• OR: A Networking Evening with a speaker or panel about some aspect of volunteering (recruiting, employer supported volunteering, or how to encourage and support volunteerism.) and followed by discussions OR Lunch and Learn.

They are hoping to provide a networking opportunity for volunteers and voluntary organizations, in communities outside of Charlottetown and Summerside.

Many thanks to the fine volunteers at Dundas Consolidated School for modelling good reading practices for this issue of the newsletter!

Project L.O.V.E. for Literacy is a member of the PEI Literacy Alliance. Support for Project L.O.V.E. comes from the PEI Department of Education (Literacy Initiatives Secretariat) and the National Literacy Secretariat of HRDSC. Project L.O.V.E. is a Registered Canadian Charity.