President's message

by Bessie Merrigan

It is hard to believe, but this will be my last message as President of Laubach Literacy of Canada. It has been a very exciting and challenging two-year term of office.

During my time as President, I was encouraged by the dedication of many great volunteers and dedicated staff. Each time an organization moves forward, certain tasks must be performed. For us, it involved saying good-bye to dedicated and professional staff across the country, especially at the Development Office. I personally knew all the staff that was laid off, so it was an especially difficult task to perform.

Although Laubach Literacy is a completely revised and revitalized organization, it remains the only national literacy organization that has structured recognized training to ensure that students receive the best tutoring possible. As LLC moves forward, I hope that students will remain the focus.

As I leave this position, I urge the Board and Provincial Laubach organizations to continue working together toward a common goal of a more literate Canada. I have enjoyed meeting so many people through my current and previous terms on the Board, and I hope to stay in touch with you. Laubach has truly been a rewarding experience for me. Thanks for the memories!

Executive Director's message

by Gay Hamilton

This edition of the newsletter arrives on the heels of a significant federal budget announcement—the addition of $30 million to the National Literacy Secretariat's budget over 3 years ($5 million in Year 1, $10 million in Year 2 and $15 million in Year 3).

These funds, in fact, double the federal agency's budget. The announcement was deemed to be a "surprise" to bureaucrats connected with literacy initiatives within government. The national nonprofit literacy organizations, including LLC, have applauded the new money and will keep a watchful eye on the fate of such an important influx of funds. Some of the wording of the announcement may cause concern, as the government expressed a need to look for "creative and innovative" ways to use the funds.

LLC and other literacy stakeholders maintain that nearly 20 years of work and planning in the field, culminating in the June 2003 House of Commons Standing Committee Report, Raising Adult Literacy Skills: The Need for a Pan-Canadian Response, as well as a national strategy developed by the Movement for Canadian Literacy and its partners, clearly outline the needs and priorities associated with literacy in Canada when it comes to new money. There is, indeed, no need to reinvent the wheel!

LLC Board pays tribute to Development Office staff

Longtime staff from the Development Office in Bedford, Quebec came to Ottawa in late November to attend a dinner with the LLC Board of Directors and to be honoured for their dedicated service.

The Development Office closed on December 31, 2004.

From left to right in the photo are: Karen Smith. LLC President Bessie Merrigan, Karen Ingalls and Sara Mills.