VALF Vice Pres... Wows Tutors and Students

VALF Vice President and successful adult student, Joses DeMoranville, shared his  story at the Gainesville program, funded by  Alachua County Library District . He represented VALF at a student and tutor recognition luncheon. 

  Joses DeMoranville Telling His Story

During his speech, Joses showed everyone his first completion certificate which he earned in the early years of the Palm Beach County Public Library volunteer literacy program.  He then went on to describe  how he  earned his high school diploma through the Leon County Adult and Community Education program in Tallahassee 12 years later.  He said that walking down the aisle to pick up that piece of paper brought tears to his eyes and described how he went on to earn a technical degree in kitchen design.  He now tells everyone, "I didn't just get a job.  I got a career!"

A tutor asked him whether he ever thought about giving up.  He looked at the group, thought for a moment, and said, "No, I didn't.  It wasn't easy and took a long time, but I was determined to stick to my goal. That's what all of you need to do."

He also told everyone that he went back to his first tutor--to tell her about his success.  Because of this, she is now teaching again!  Volunteer tutors often don't hear about the long term impact of their work.  See a Youtube post by Joses.


The library in Gainesville started a library literacy program about 4 years ago with a  federal grant funded by a Library Services and Technology Act grant through the State Library and Archives of Florida.  Terry Hutchinson, the program coordinator and public library employee, supports and nurtures her 25 teams of tutors and a waiting list of students and tutors

The literacy program was started by Sol Hirsch, the Alachua Library Director who retired in June.  Hirsch was recognized at the luncheon for starting the program.  He told hist story about being a child who always had to translate for immigrant parents. He said that was why he knew literacy programs were vital.

The Alachua County Public Library District is one of many organizational and individual VALF members. Please renew your membership today.

Act today -- State Library Funding being cut

Florida Library Funding At Risk of Elimination! Take Action!   House and Senate budget conferees are meeting in Tallahassee to finalize the State budget before the session is scheduled to end on May 6.  The House has $17.7 million for public libraries, the Senate has zero, and $21.2 million is needed to avoid loss of federal matching dollars.  If the Senate prevails branch libraries will close in communities large and small.  $21.2 million is the current year funding level but library funding has already been cut by 1/3 at the state level and in many communities library budgets have been cut by 40%. During these challenging times Floridians are using libraries more than ever for essential services like help with job seeking, use of E-Government Services, and for business information.  Libraries help young children develop early learning skills and help parents learn to be their child's first teacher – both critical services for children's success in school and life.  Libraries provide great economic value as confirmed by a Department of State study showing libraries generate an $8.32 Return on Investment. Please contact your legislators and the leadership now! And please, please keep the message positive! Editable message for adovcates to send legislators and state leaders

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Renew Membership

It is time to renew your membership. VALF's fiscal year ends June 30.  VALF provides training, support, and grants for volunteer literacy programs.  We will be unveiling our new members wiki at our annual meeting..

VALF Elections, Annual Meeting and Bylaws Change

Organizational and individual VALF members were notified today about the VALF annual meeting, a bylaws change and elections.  VALF members were asked to vote by e-mail by April 25.

You are invited to the annual meeting of Volunteers for Adult Literacy in Florida (VALF), also known officially as Literacy Florida! Inc., on Thursday, May 5 at 3:15 p.m. at the Florida Literacy Conference in Lake Mary.

The VALF board meeting is on Thursday, May 5, at 5 p.m. at the Florida Literacy Conference.  At this meeting, the board will vote on the following bylaws change.  The Board is recommending that the name of Literacy Florida, INC be officially changed to Volunteers for Adult Literacy in Florida. 

VALF members were asked to send comments to valflorida@hotmail.com related to the change by May 1 or attend the board meeting on May 5. 

  

Change to By-Laws of Literacy Florida! Inc.

Amendment to By-Laws

In Article I change name of organization from Literacy Florida! Inc. to Volunteers for Adult Literacy in Florida (VALF)       

______________________________________________________________________

Elections

Typically, each board member serves two years.  These terms are adjusted so that one third of the board members (two or more each year) are elected yearly. 

Officers and Board Members

Sandra (Sandy) Newell, President         Term 2011 – 2013

Joses DeMoranville, Vice President        Term 2011 – 2012

Glenda Norvell, Treasurer                     Term 2010 – 2013

Gina Bingham, Secretary                      Term 2011 – 2013

Jim Wilder, Past President                    Term 2010 – 2012

Pat Bauer                                            Term 2010 – 2012

Richard Crutcher                                  Term 2010 – 2012

Interns: Intern board members are appointed by the President.

Sara Nelson, University of South Florida Library School Student Intern was appointed to serve as an intern from April 1, 2011 – September 30, 2011.

VALF has multple ways to communicate and share information.  

You may email VALF at valflorida@hotmail.com.  

We have a public wiiki  http://literacyflorida.wikispaces.com/ 

VALF also has a new webpage at http://valflorida.org

Soon to come:             Members only Wiki: http://valf.pbworks.com/w/page/32238475/HOME-VALF-MEMBERS-ONLY   

After the conference members will receive the logon to the members only wiki

We also have this blog.

Put it on your calendar today: VALF Conference Programs and Annual Meeting

The 2011 literacy conference and the library conference are in the Orlando area on the same dates this year.  Because of this VALF will be at both.  

On May 5, Thursday, VALF is hosting three programs as well as our annual meeting at the Florida Literacy Conference.  

On Friday morning, May 6, VALF is sponsoring a poster session on Mixing in Math and a program on serving immigrants and non-English speakers.  

The literacy conference is at Lake Mary, just north of Orlando, and the library conference is at the Doubletree Hotel at the entrance to Universal Studios, south of downtown Orlando.  More about the programs and conferences is below.

Florida Literacy Conference Programs by VALF

Session Title: E-readers and Literacy: A Vision for the Future

Date/Time: Thursday, May 5; 9:00 am to 10:15 am

Presenter: Dale Lipschultz, American Library Association Literacy Officer

Session Title: Giving Your Grant a Competitive Edge Part 1

Date/Time: Thursday, May 5; 1:30 pm to 2:45 pm

Session Title: Thursday, May 5; 3:15 pm to 4:45 pm

Date/Time: Giving Your Grant a Competitive Edge Part 2 and Volunteers for Adult Literacy in Florida (VALF) Annual Meeting

Session: VALF Board Meeting 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Florida Library Association Conference Programs by VALF

American Dream Starts @ Your Library: Lessons from the Field
May 6 10:00 to 11:15 a.m.

Speakers: Sandra O. Newell, President, Volunteers for Adult Literacy in Florida and past Chair ALA
Committee on Literacy and Dale Lipschultz, ALA Literacy Officer, ALA Office of Literacy and Outreach Services.
 

In April 2010, the American Library Association awarded $5,000 to 24 public libraries; five of these libraries are located in Florida. “The American Dream Starts @ Your Library®” helps libraries serve adult English language learners (ELLS) with funding by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. Learn about the innovative ways Florida’s libraries are serving adult ELLs and their families.  Opening Libraries and Minds to Citizenship Inspired: Preparing Future Americans for the
Find a toolkit and more about this program at  American Dream @ Your Library   

Adding Math to Your Literacy Lessons

 

Free Webinar Sponsored by Volunteers for Adult Literacy in Florida (VALF)
Mixing in Math webinar: March 17, 10:00-11:00am EST
On a tight budget? Looking for resources for Summer Reading 2011? Learn how librarians and literacy coordinators are using Mixing in Math, a set of FREE materials in English and Spanish that add math to story times, displays, and crafts. At this webinar, librarians and others who work with families in libraries will share experiences using Mixing in Math activities, introduce you to the over 200 resources, and show you how they sprinkle a little math into what they already do: story times, family events, book displays, and summer reading programs. You'll also receive materials from Mix in Math for Summer Reading 2011. Come ready to explore shapes, sizes, and patterns in everyday life!  Vonda Bryant with the Broward County Public Library will join a panel to share how she has used Mixing in Math with her literacy program.  Check the Mixing in Math website: http://mixinginmath.terc.edu to learn more.
To register or for questions about Mixing in Math, please contact Nuria Jaumot-Pascual at nuria_jaumot@terc.edu or at 617-873-9663.   Also, please copy valflorida@hotmail.com as you register.

VALF is a membership organization representing Florida literacy programs that use volunteers.  To become a member of VALF go to http://literacyflorida.wikispaces.com/Member

Free Math Webinar March 17

Free Webinar Sponsored by Volunteers for Adult Literacy in Florida (VALF)

Mixing in Math webinar: March 17, 10:00-11:00am EST

On a tight budget? Looking for resources for Summer Reading 2011? Learn how librarians and literacy coordinators are using Mixing in Math, a set of FREE materials in English and Spanish that add math to story times, displays, and crafts. At this webinar, librarians and others who work with families in libraries will share experiences using Mixing in Math activities, introduce you to the over 200 resources, and show you how they sprinkle a little math into what they already do: story times, family events, book displays, and summer reading programs. You'll also receive materials from Mix in Math for Summer Reading 2011. Come ready to explore shapes, sizes, and patterns in everyday life! Vonda Bryant with the Broward County Public Library will join a panel to share how she has used Mixing in Math with her literacy program. Check the Mixing in Math website: http://mixinginmath.terc.edu/ to learn more.

To register or for questions about Mixing in Math, please contact Nuria Jaumot-Pascual at nuria_jaumot@terc.edu or at 617-873-9663. Also, please copy valflorida@hotmail.com as you register.

VALF is a membership organization representing Florida literacy programs that use volunteers. To become a member go to the membership application and join today.  It is only $15 for individual members and $25 for organizations.