(continued)
This encouraged others to tell their stories. Sharing similar feelings made them realize that they are not alone and they have many individual talents.

One learner said, "it pointed out that we weren't the only ones around that had a learning problem. I would never come out and say that. Now I don't really care. There are things I can do better than you. I didn't think this when I went there."

Regional health centre psychologist, Des Coombs, led the self-esteem workshop. His talk inspired the learners. Exploits Laubach Literacy Council president, Olive

Reeves, said he made a big impact. A learner agreed and said, "When he got up and spoke it really got to me. Even if he just helped one person - if he helped me come out of my shell, it was a help. I know I'm going to learn and I'm going to help someone one of these days."

Tutors attended two of four workshops on Skill Books, Math, Readability, and Parents as Teaching Partners. Readability is finding the grade level of any story, book or pamphlet. Knowing this helps the tutor choose readings for the learner. It also allows the tutor to rewrite information to suit a reading level. Presenter Paula Power stressed the importance of using plain language in writing and of knowing the audience.

Parents as Teaching Partners workshop, presented by lsabella Fry and Marilyn Forward, stressed the importance of parents in their children's education. The Parents as Teaching Partners is designed to promote literacy in the home through developing a good working relationship between parents and the school. Parents who take part in the program learn what to do with their children to promote literacy. The program has been a success on the Port au Port Peninsula.

Events

Three members from Exploits Laubach Literacy Council were elected to provincial executive. Lillian Moores took over as president from Diane Hunt. Matta Mangal was elected treasurer, and Monnie Moores is one of four members on the fund-raising/publicity committee.

Some discussions took place about the need for Laubach Council guidelines. Members agreed that all councils should have the same standards of operation. President Moores said, "This makes it uniform all over the island. Laubach Field Services Worker, Isabella Fry, will get together with whomever wants to form a council. Besides having a tutor workshop, she will go through the guidelines of setting up and forming a council."

Other things mentioned were Books for Babies and the Reading for Fun programs which Laubach Council promotes.

During its own informal meetings, provincial executive formed a strategic planning committee to establish a three year plan. This plan is expected by the next AGM.

"This is a charitable organization and it is not rich. We take advantage of AGM to do a lot of planning," said Ms. Moores.

Guest speaker at the closing banquet was School District #5 educational psychologist, Keith Adey. He talked about literacy in a changing society, and he pointed out the increasing uses of technology and the challenges in today's workplace.

Some of Ms. Moores goals as provincial president are getting membership dues in, meeting of council presidents, getting representatives from the regions involved, and reporting back to provincial council. "Some of them are only small things, but in the long run they're important," she said.

Ms. Moores said the highlight of AGM was, "When Randy Colborne, a learner, got up and read the poem (at the banquet), that's it for me right there. Then you can see what you are all about. Everything is worthwhile."

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