Volume 11 Number 1

Published by the Literacy Development Council of Newfoundland and Labrador

January 2004

Literacy Development Council - New Staff Members

There were two big changes at the Literacy Development Council of Newfoundland and Labrador in December. Della Coish, the former Executive Director of the LDC, and administrative assistant, Patricia McCarthy, both resigned their positions. Della has moved to Texas and Patricia decided to enter the real estate business on a full-time basis. We wish both of these ladies all the best, their contribution to literacy in this province is to be commended.

Kim Gillard, well known in the literacy community, has accepted the position of Executive Director. Jennifer Petten has accepted the position of administrative assistant. This interview was conducted by Don McDonald to give our readers an introduction to our new staff.

Don: You have been involved in literacy for some time in the central region of the province. Could you give us a brief summary of your work history?

Kim: I became involved in literacy when I worked with LIFE Inc. (Learning Information for Everyone). We covered Twillingate, New World Island, and Change Islands. Our group worked to address literacy and learning needs in our area. We operated an Open Learning Centre. Adults came to the centre to work for credits towards an Adult Basic Education Diploma. My most recent work with literacy has been with a provincial group, The Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Adult Education. Our work involved bringing groups together to talk about the literacy work that was being done in different areas of the province. We helped people who had little or no literacy work taking place learn how to improve literacy services in their area.

Don: Executive Director of the LDC is a challenging position. Could you give us an idea of some of these challenges?

Kim: Some of the challenges I face as Executive Director of the LDC, are the same as many other provincial organizations. We have a large province and it is often hard to travel to all the different areas that you have to represent. It is a challenge to be a voice for all the province because connecting with all the different learners and literacy groups in Newfoundland and Labrador can be difficult. Our 1-800 hotline helps people keep in touch. We also publish and distribute First-Time Readers and the Notepad. These publications help us stay connected.

Don: Learners are the most important concern of literacy workers. Can you tell us how you plan to bring learners' concerns to the forefront of the literacy community?