LPM e-bulletin

Support literacy on Raise-a-Reader Day on October 3

Once again volunteers will be rising before dawn on Wednesday to man the busy corners of Winnipeg. Give generously to literacy as you drive to work, or join the LPM team at Goulet and Tache (phone Connie at 947-5757) as they give out newspapers in response to donations.

Breakfast with colleagues on October 12

Every two or three months we invite literacy practitioners to breakfast with us at the LPM office. This is a great opportunity to greet old friends and to meet new ones. Join us on October 12 at 8:30 am. Phone Connie at 947-5757 to let us know you'll be coming. We'll put the coffee on.

Join Theresa at the Seine River Book Swap on Ocober 20

The Word Monster will be there. So will Dr. Goodbear. Come to MLA Theresa Oswald's annual Book Swap on October 20, 2007, 1:00 -3:00 pm, at the Dakota Community Centre, 1188 Dakota Street, for an afternoon of free books, refreshments and fun!

For more information, phone Sarah at 255-7840.

Minister for Literacy visits LPM's Open House to sign proclamation

The Honourable Diane McGifford, Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy, brought greetings from Premier Doer, and reviewed the province's contributions to literacy over the past 12 months.

She signed the official statement procaliming September Literacy Month in Manitoba.

She was pleased that federal funding of the coalitions had been reinstated, and commended LPM for its continued commitment to literacy during difficult times. She singled out Executive Director Lorri Apps for special praise, speaking of her tireless efforts to save the organization.

In response, Lorri thanked the MLAs, MPs and other supporters who had spoken out in favour of LPM and insisted that Read the text of Lorri's speech.

Harry Potter night raises $1,342 for literacy

At the Open House, LPM treasurer Holly Banner thanked Jim McEachern, Director of Sales and Marketing, Fairmont Winnipeg, for the hotel's generous support of literacy.

Mr McEachern presented LPM with a cheque for $1342, a donation to LPM from the proceeds of the Wizards and Witches evening at the hotel on July 20.

Imah Browne encourages adults to go back to school

Imah Browne, an adult learner from the Elmwood GOAL Program, spoke eloquently of her early days in Antigua, her failure to become a nurse because of a lack of education, her unsuccessful attempts at part-time adult education while working long hours night and day, and her eventual success at the GOAL program.

Now retired, Imah is able to concentrate on reaching her goal. a GED diploma. She thanked her teachers who are helping her reach this goal.

Imah spoke of her growing confidence as her skills improved: "There’s nothing you can’t do if you put your mind to it. For years the little I had learned lay dormant. Now it’s beginning to wake up. Why? All because of going back to school."

Read the full text of Imah's speech.

Calendar girls (plus one) launch fundraiser for LPM

Attending the LPM Open House to launch their Manitoba Reads literacy calendar were committee members Angela Reiger (top left), Merlin Braun, Joan Macdonald (bottom left), and chair Sylvia Wiebe. Proceeds from the sale of calendar go to LPM.

Sylvia, librarian at Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institue, spoke of the evolution of this project, from its initial concept as a reading promotion poster to its realization as a calendar of local celebrities, all commited to literacy.

LPM thanks these literacy heroes for their many volunteer hours of dedication to this great project.

Andrea Bodie joins LPM as website manager and newsletter editor

In October, Andrea Bodie will take over the duties of website manager and editor of the newsletter and e-bulletin.

Andrea is a successful Winnipeg-based freelance writer. Her work has been published and produced in a variety of media, including newspapers, magazines, the web, radio, stage and film.

Charles Moody is wintering in Victoria and bids farewell to his literacy friends and colleagues.

Premier presents literacy award to Noreen Moar

At the Breakfast of Champions on September 10, Premier Doar reviewed the government's increased commitment to literacy. He spoke of the goverment's intention to pass a Literacy Act so that literacy spending would no longer be "at the whim of the current government".

The highlight of the event was the presentation of the Council of the Federation literacy award to Noreen Moar of Swan River. More...

Noreen Moar (centre) is pictured with LPM ED Lorri Apps and Premier Garry Doer.

OLES officials explain new funding process to literacy practitioners

Kelly Morrison and her colleages from OLES explained the new funding to literacy practioners at the Fairmont Hotel on September 10.

In the photo Judith Cameron (left) of the Interlake Adult Learning Association is speaking with Kelly Morrison

For more information, follow the links to Kelly Morrison's slide presentation, to the OLES website for the latest information on the call for proposals, or to Lorri Apps' report on her discussions on federal funding with Peter Larose.

GO Project investigates how literacy paractitioners use the web

The Getting Online (GO) Project team - Deborah Morgan and Pat Fahy from AB, Joanne Kaattari and Vicki Trottier in ON, Lynn Best in NF - is investigating how literacy workers across Canada are using (or not using) distance/online learning for professional and/or personal development.

We encourage practitoners to visit www.nald.ca/gettingonline and take a few minutes to fill out the survey.

ALLS releases Canadian literacy atlas

In 2003, the average prose literacy score for the Canadian population age 16 and over was 272 on a scale ranging from 0 to 500. Prose literacy is defined as the skills needed to understand and use information from texts.

Manitoba's prose scores were not statistically different from the Canadian average.

Just released, this map depicts prose literacy scores by census divisions and subdivisions. More...

What's in an acronym?

Just in case you’re confused, here’s an update on the acronyms of those federal departments you have to deal with from time to time.

HRDC is now HRSDC.
NLS is now NOLL.

HRDC includes WPD. WPD includes OLES.

OLES = NOLL + ESI
OLES deals with L/ES

Don’t you long for the days of the NLS?

Don't forget that the OLES CFP closes on October 31! Check the OLES website.

Legend
HRSDC = Human Resources and Social Development Canada
NOLL = National Office of Literacy and Learning
WPD = Workplace Partnerships Directorate
OLES = Office of Literacy and Essential Skills
ESI = Essential Skills Initiative
L/ES = Literacy and Essential Skills
CFP = Call for proposals