“Dr. Bob” and Laubach students

"Dr.Bob" Laubach and Diane Young attended a tutor training workshop in 1990.

The “Dr. Bob” student fund was established in 1988 when Dr. Robert Laubach turned 80. This national fund provided an annual cash award to Laubach student groups to fund worthy projects in their communities, all across Canada.

The son of Dr. Frank Laubach, "Dr. Bob" was part of the American Laubach organization for many years. A world traveller, he loved to visit Canada on what he called “safaris” in support of Canadian tutors and trainers who were using Laubach methods.

When he turned 80, the LLC Board decided to celebrate his commitment to the Canadian organization by setting up an annual student fund.

"Students" not learners

Dorothy Silver became a published author in 2003.

In 1990, a national survey by LLC revealed that the men and women working with Laubach tutors preferred to be called "students."

A year later, Dorothy Silver of New Brunswick became the first student representative on the national Board of Directors. Mrs. Silver had come a long way in a short time. After learning to read, she started support groups for students in her home province. In 1992, she launched "Pen Pals Across Canada" to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Canadian Confederation. In 2003, LLC published Dorothy’s book, Living on a Shoestring Budget.

Student Leadership

In 1999, LLC launched a new committee whose goal was to offer support to Laubach students across Canada. PennyAnn Tibbitts was hired to coordinate the TREE committee (Teamwork to Raise Education and Equality) which continued until 2003.

In 2004, the National Student Caucus made up of provincial student delegates began working at the national level to serve the interests of LLC students across the country.

A final message from LLC’s National Student Representative appears on page 2.