Read more below about health literacy, board management, fundraising, grants, recruiting trainers, and how to become a member of LF! volunteers.
Health Literacy
As tutors and adult learners know, coping with poor health and hospitals is more difficult if you struggle with reading. Patients entering hospitals are asked if they have an advance directive, but the form is too hard for many to read. A simpler form is now available.
Typical written advance directives are written at a 12th grade level. This form is used by patients to document end-of-life treatment wishes, designate decision-makers, and promote discussion on treatment. An easier to read advance directive form written in a 5th grade level can be downloaded for free in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese at
http://www.iha4health.org/Volunteer programs can use this and other medical forms as real life examples in lessons.
Board ManagementMany of Florida’s literacy programs are run by nonprofit boards. To learn more about board basics go to:
Frequently Asked Questions About Nonprofit Board Management
http://www.allianceonline.org/FAQThis site compiles questions related to Board Development, Strategic Planning, Fundraising, Financial Management and Risk Management.
At your next board meeting, use the following list of fundraising tasks to evaluate your program.
BOARD FUNDRAISING TASKSHave input into fundraising plan
Organize and participate on fundraising committee
Identify and cultivate new prospects/donors
Ask peers for donations
Always be an advocate for the agency
Make introductions for staff to follow-up
Accompany staff on key visits to funders
Help with expressions of thanks when appropriate
Give to the volunteer literacy program
STAFF FUNDRAISING TASKSAccompany staff on key visits to funders
Help with expressions of thanks when appropriate
Research new and existing donors
Write case materials
Assist board in any way possible
Write proposals
Accompany board members on solicitation visits
Ask for money when appropriate
Take care of all logistics related to fundraising activities
Plan, plan, plan
GrantsDollar General
The Dollar General Adult Literacy Grants award funding to non-profit organizations that provide direct service to adults in need of literacy assistance. Organizations must provide assistance in one of the following instructional areas:
Adult basic education;
General education diploma preparation; or
English for speakers of other languages.
The next open solicitation for request for proposals will be in January 2008. Please check in January at
http://www.dollargeneral.com/community/communityinvestments.071019.aspxIf you would like advice on grant writing, contact Sandy Newell, 850-245-6624 or
literacyflorida@hotmail.com.
Florida Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grants
The next application for LSTA grants is due March 2008. The application will be available at
http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/bld/Literacy/Funding2.html Libraries can use the 2007 application as a template to develop a draft. There will be no major changes in the grant application for 2008. Technical assistance for libraries on grant writing is available through Sandy Newell
snewell@dos.state.fl.usRecruiting TrainersOne of the most interesting and challenging aspects of running a volunteer tutoring program is training tutors. Well trained tutors is the basis for a successful literacy program.
Programs need to offer volunteers additional opportunities to help your program. Recruit and mentor new trainers. Look for those who do well in the tutor training workshop. Observe their communication skills and understanding of how to work with adults. Candidates include experienced tutors and people with good facilitation and communication skills. Potential trainers need to know how to provide quality, interactive learning experiences for adults.
New trainers can attend a train the trainer workshop at a preconference to the 2008 Florida Literacy Conference. Technical assistance on program improvement and training trainers is also available from LFv. To get the latest on the 2008 preconference, go to
http://www.floridaliteracy.org/con2008.html.Here are more tips for recruiting trainers:
Recruit teams to work together.
Provide a “quality” workshop template with easy to follow instructions for the tutor
Invite potential trainers to a training workshop to share their experiences in specific area.
Observe new tutors and tap those who are most effective.
Contact experienced tutors who can not tutor regularly. They may not want to commit to tutoring a student weekly now, but may be willing to give a block of time within a couple of months to present the 10 to 16 hours needed to provide a workshop.
Always be on the look out for trainers and list this and other "jobs" as a volunteer opportunity on your tutor intake form.
Have a tutor trainer job description with specific duties and amount of time needed to prepare and give a workshop.
How to Become a LFvolunteer Member:
Individuals can join LF!v for only $15 and a group cost $25. Go to http://www.aflo.freeservers.com/membership.htm
for the membership form.
