Happy 2019!

2018 saw many successes province-wide in our Community Adult Learning Programs; and I can tell by the wide-spread enthusiasm and passion for our programs that 2019 will bring many more! Whether your program is big or small, every day you play an integral role in shaping the lives of Albertans by running programs that increase literacy skills, opening doors that a learner may not have thought was possible.

While we have challenges every day in our programs, let us remember to celebrate our successes. Take a moment to reflect on how many new learners you have in your program. What goals have they accomplished for themselves? How has your organization adapted to learner needs?

Then, take a moment to acknowledge the investment you have made in yourself as an adult learner to acquire the skills needed to perform the role of a literacy practitioner. While great weight is on your shoulders to succeed, the number of hours often exceeding the number available, you have thrived in balancing helping learners while being a learner yourself. This level of dedication comes from the desire and passion to see others succeed.

Thank you for your commitment to the Community Adult Learning Program.

I wish everyone success in 2019. I am extremely thankful to have such a great group of people to work with province-wide. It is my honour to serve on the CLN board and I am looking forward to seeing everyone at training throughout the year. All the best in 2019!

Jackie Seely
Treasurer, CLN Board of Directors

Spring Regional Meetings - Save the Date!

Hard to believe that Spring Regional Meetings are just around the corner! The Regional Support Staff are busy planning for the upcoming Regional Meetings and we wanted to let you know when and where, so you could mark it on your calendars. 

Regional meetings are an excellent way to network with others in your region, connect with Advanced Education and learn more about trainings happening in your region, and of updates at CLN. 

• West-Central - March 20, Stony Plain
• East-Central - April 4, St. Paul
• South - April 9, Lethbridge
• West-Central - April 16, Edson
• North - April 25, Grande Prairie
• Central - April 30, location to be confirmed

Your Regional Support Staff will be sending out more detailed information in the weeks to come. Also, please keep an eye out for information posted on the Portal.

English Express has a New Home

English Express is a website that was origianlly funded and developed by Alberta Advanced Education. English Express has articles for low literacy readers and English language learners.

Over the past several months, CLN has worked with Advanced Education and Rural Routes to ensure this resource remains freely accessible to learners and practitioners across the province.

There are articles that you can read on your computer screen. You can also print articles. You can listen to recordings and read along with articles. Some of the articles have videos to watch as well.

• Read and learn about people, animals and holidays
• Try one of the recipes
• Laugh at the cartoons
• Print word games to do

English Express also has Teaching Notes that go with some of the articles.

You can find all these great resources on the CALP Portal at https://calp.ca/express.

You do not need a CALP Portal account to access these resources.

Insurance Webinar

What is “Directors and Officers Liabilities” insurance?

Unlike a general liability policy that provides coverage for claims arising out of bodily injury and property damage, a D&O policy specifically provides coverage for “Wrongful Acts”.

On Thursday, February 7 from 10am to 11:30am join Doug Tweddle from Foster Park Brokers Inc. to learn more about the responsibilities and risks of your board members, and how a great insurance policy can protect their personal assets like their home and retirement savings.

Doug will help you start thinking about what kinds of questions to ask when you are considering your CALP’s risks and insurance needs.

The session will also include a Q and A, where you can ask any specific questions you have about D&O Insurance policies.

This webinar is offered at no charge, in partnership between the Community Learning Network and Foster Park Brokers Inc.

This would be a great time to pull out your current policy to see what you have covered, and may not!

To sign up go to the registration page and click on Attend. A link to join the webinar will be emailed to participants approximately one week prior to the webinar. 

Family Literacy Day - January 27

Just a reminder that January 27 is Family Literacy Day. In celebration of its 20th anniversary families are urged to "Take 20" minutes to make learning together part of their everyday. 

You can download the following free resources to support your Family Literacy Day activities:

Take 20 activities
Event Coordinator's Guide
Activity Sheet
Fillable Poster
Bookmark

Register your event for a chance to win a prize

If you register your Family Literacy Day event with ABC Life Literacy by January 16, you will be entered into a draw for a chance to win a Family Literacy Day prize pack to arrive before January 27.