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Literacy Alberta – An Overview

In 2003, two organizations, Literacy Coordinators of Alberta (in operation for 14 years) and the Alberta Association for Adult Literacy (in operation for 25 years) brought together their accumulated expertise and experience to form Literacy Alberta.

Literacy Alberta is a provincial, non-profit organization working to raise literacy levels in Alberta. We provide:

• Professional development (coordinator training, annual provincial conference etc.)
• Research
• Library resources
• Awareness building events and activities, and
• Communication

Our 300 plus members are active in learning and working in literacy. We also work in partnership with other literacy coalitions to raise literacy levels and awareness about literacy across the country.

Our Mission Statement:

We raise literacy levels in Alberta.

Our Vision:

All people in Alberta are able to develop and maintain the literacy and essential skills they need in order to participate fully in their communities.

The Guiding Principle of Literacy Alberta is:

People living in Alberta have the right to develop literacy and basic skills.

These skills help us to take part in the social, economic, political and cultural life in Alberta.

We all have an equal chance to gain, develop, keep and add to literacy and basic skills whatever our situation.

We need to commit to learning through life.

This commitment leads to a society that values educated, healthy and productive people, families, communities and workplaces.

The Board of Directors:

The volunteer board of Literacy Alberta is made up of between 8 and 12 members of Literacy Alberta. At least two board members are adult literacy learners, two are practitioners or employed in the field of literacy and the remainder may be from other areas.

The job of the board is to represent those involved in literacy (learners, tutors, practitioners, and friends – coalition members, and people who have literacy needs) in determining and demanding organizational performance.  To distinguish the board’s job from the job of its staff, the board concentrates its efforts on the following:

Specifically, the board produces:

1. A formal link between the board and the owners
2. Written governing policies that define goals, governance process, board/staff relationship, and executive limitations
3. The assurance that the role and responsibilities of the Executive Director are fulfilled.

A board member’s time commitment (approximately):

Attending up to 6 boards meetings a year (may require some travel) meetings are usually one weekday and Saturdays. There are also a few meetings held by conference call during the year.

Attending the annual symposium/conference (usually 3 days) (may require some travel).

Approximately four hours per month (preparation for meetings, tasks as assigned during board meetings) attending committee meetings.

Committing to keeping informed of the organization’s activities.

Occasionally being available to represent the organization at local public events, luncheons, award presentations etc.