November 2003

Vol. 23, No. 1

Students’ Column by Gary Porter
Barrie Literacy Council – Student Rep, T.R.E.E. Student Committee of Canada-Chairperson, Laubach Literacy of Canada Liaison, Blueprint Committee – Student Rep.

Literacy Action Day 2002 hosted by Movement for Canadian Literacy (MCL) and six other National Literacy organizations was a great success! The topic of the day was “How crucial it is for literacy to become a policy and funding priority.”

Dorothy Silver, Howard Lane, Pennyann Tibbitts and I visited over a dozen MPs on Parliament Hill in Ottawa throughout the day. What a tremendous learning experience for us. It also gave me the chance to bridge the gap in the evening by joining MCL and LLC Students for a social time. It was a great experience as we talked to students from every province including the Yukon. I look forward to meeting with the MCL gang next year.

Heather Harris, Gary Porter, and Pennyann Tibbitts.

We attended a three-day strategic planning meeting for Laubach Literacy of Canada (LLC) in October 2002. I have since continued to serve on the Blueprint Committee, which is proposing a new structure for LLC. I’m honoured to represent the students’ interests on the committee. Although we are dealing with many issues, I’m working with a great team of committed people. A small Social Committee was formed to entertain at the strategic planning meetings. Andrea Haines opened the evening with an Asian dance performance. Pennyann Tibbitts and I entertained the group with a mock magic show, followed by a real magician’s performance. The weekend was a great learning experience and also a lot of fun.

In New Brunswick, June 2003, I became the National Student Representative on the Laubach Literacy of Canada National Board. I will do my best to ensure students’ needs, concerns and voice will be heard. If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to send an email to candles48@rogers.com

The T.R.E.E. Student Committee would like to thank Arnold Stewart for the tremendous work he did on our behalf. Arnie has opened so many doors for students and showed them how to take on leadership roles - with confidence. Students now have a voice when there wasn’t one before. His valuable contributions to the work of the T.R.E.E. Student Committee will leave a la sting impression and grateful memories that will never be forgotten.

Back to front rows: Gary Porter, Arnold Stewart, Doreen Aubertin, Dorothy Silver, Angie Oman, Pennyann Tibbitts

Welcome A-Board with Checklists Dr. Bob Laubach Student Fund Follow-up Report PYT Clubs Page Golden Jubilee Awards Beatrice Spidel Turns 100