Think Outside the Box!

Symposium spurred new innovation and energy that was taken back to our programs. This month I challenge you to think outside the box! What can you do differently in your program to better serve or reach learners? The word challenge may scare you at this point in time but in the end it could be your rescue.

Many of us may experience the same blocks year after year. Not enough tutors, not enough time, not enough program awareness...STOP. If we keep doing what we have always done, we will get the same results. Sometimes this is good, and sometimes this isn’t getting us to where we need to go. Have you ever taken the same route on a trip and wondered when they would repair the bumpy road? Take a different route next time. It may be a bit longer but it may be a smoother ride.

Now how does this apply to your CALP? Have you been trying to recruit learners or tutors with little success? I am going to give you one KISS today! “Keep It Simple Speaker”. Often our message when promoting our programs through advertising or public speaking engagements are too high level for the audience we are trying to engage with. Keep it real and keep it simple. Instead of saying “We offer adult foundational learning in... “ say “We help adult Albertans improve their skills for everyday life”. Or “Our tutors love getting to know our adult learners and can’t believe how many great friends they have met volunteering for our program.” Testimonials are another great way to bring to life what we actually do. I have found most people find the word “literacy” boring; they certainly don’t find a success story boring though. So I challenge you to think outside the box of what you can do differently to produce new results in your program. Also, please “SHARE” what has worked well for you in the comments belowl. We would love to hear from you.

Until we meet again, enjoy your learning journey in your programs over the coming months.

From your grassroots Director in the South - Jackie Seely
CLN Board of Directors, and Program Director at Newell Further Education Council

Call for Presenters: Literacy and Learning Symposium 2020

The Literacy & Learning Symposium Planning Committee is now accepting proposals for sessions at Symposium 2020.

Symposium threads will include:

Literacy and Foundational Learning

• Adult Literacy
• Basic Digital Skills
• English Language Learning
• Essential Skills
• Foundational Learners and Learning
• Foundational Life Skills
• Numeracy

CALP Programs and Activities

• CALP-funded Family Literacy Programs
• Community Capacity Building
• Financial Literacy
• Learner Support Services
• Learning Activities
• Newcomer Supports for English Language Learners
• Tutoring for English Language Learners (ELL)
• Tutoring in Literacy and Foundational Learning (LFL)
• Workplace Literacy

CALP Staff and Volunteer Development

• Board Development
• Coaching & Modeling Strategies
• Digital Technology, Tools and Resources
• Facilitation Skills
• Inclusion, Diversity and Safer Spaces
• Indigenous, Metis and/or Inuit Learning and Learners
• Instructional Strategies
• Learner-centred Assessment
• Learning Disabilities
• Trauma-Informed Practices, Mental Health & Learning
• Tutor Training

Operations/Management

• Budgeting & Finances
• Community Partnerships and Engagement
• Human Resources
• Marketing and Social Media
• Needs Assessment and/or Evaluation
• Regional Stewardship and Post-Secondary Connections
• Succession Planning
• Volunteer Recruitment and Retention
   

To be considered, sessions must be interactive learning formats and must have clear learning objectives. Session participants should walk away with knowledge of a tool, strategy or tactic that will enhance their ability to support learners. Participants should also come away from these sessions with a clear understanding of the relevance of the session topic to their work, as well as information on how and where to access additional resources and supports.

Presenters will be asked to answer three questions to identify the session's learning objectives:

• What is the purpose of this session?
• What will the participant learn?
• What will the participant do during the session?
• What will the participant take away?

The answers you provide will be included in the published program information to help our Symposium delegates choose the sessions that will meet their individual professional learning needs.

To submit your proposal, please complete the submission form. For more information visit Literacy & Learning Symposium 2020: Call for Presenters.

Deadline for submissions is Tuesday, December 5th, 2019 at 4:30 pm.

Questions?

Please contact:

Lisa Dickner, Executive Director
Community Learning Network
Email: ed@calp.ca
Phone: 780-485-4926

Please help circulate the Call for Presenters within your networks!

And remember - SAVE THE DATES!
Literacy & Learning Symposium 2020
September 29th - October 2nd
DoubleTree by Hilton, Edmonton

Displaced Workers – Enhancing Literacy and Essential Skills Project

The Government of Canada has funded a three-year research project to examine the availability, appropriateness, and effectiveness of Literacy and Essential Skills (LES) training for Displaced Workers across Canada. It focusses on those who are hard to reach, reluctant to access skills training or employment services, or who have low essential skills including digital skills. The project objectives are to fill knowledge gaps, enhance knowledge, and raise awareness of promising LES service responses to workforce displacement for individuals and communities in Canada. In year three of the Project, promising practices will be beta tested in regions across Canada. The project is being delivered by Decoda Literacy Solutions in partnership with the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC) and Learning Metrix. 

As part of the project, Decoda Literacy Solutions has formed a Canadian Network Advisory Committee (CNAC), to assist in raising awareness and gathering and sharing information. CLN is delighted to join CNAC to share in the national context, input and advice for this Project. CNAC supports the Project by extending the reach of the Project beyond BC, ensuring the Project reflects experiences and information gathered by experts and practitioners across the country. CNAC members commit to increasing participation in the research by extending the Project’s reach to their networks; providing helpful input and sharing information; providing feedback; participating in evaluation and distributing the results of the project.

CLN will be sending a representative to the Decoda Literacy Conference in late November to participate in the first phase of this project. We look forward to sharing more information as it becomes available. A one page summary of the project is available to share with your networks.

Lisa Dickner
CLN Executive Director

CALP Nametags: Order Online

Have you seen the CLN staff, board and other CALP staff wearing those professional, shiny nametags in meetings and trainings, and wondered where you could get some for your CALP? 

Luckily, you can order them through CLN! You can choose between silver or gold, and have your first and last name, organization and title printed on the tag with the CALP logo. You might also choose just to have first names on your tags, like our CLN staff. There is a 3 line maximum for set-up and printing on the tags.

Each tag costs $15, including shipping, and can be ordered online through the CALP Portal.

To order your nametag(s) go to https://calp.ca/purchase.

If you have any questions before you order please contact Shaba Qureshi, CLN Program Support at office@calp.ca or call 780-485-4926.

November is Financial Literacy Month

November is Financial Literacy month. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) helps coordinate the efforts of, and increase collaboration between, organizations from the private, public and non-profit sectors to strengthen the financial literacy of Canadians and empower them to:

• manage money and debt wisely
• save for the future
• understand their financial rights and responsibilities

This year's theme for Financial Literacy month is "Take Charge of Your Finances". The goal is to encourage Canadians to take charge of their finances by making a budget, having a savings and debt reduction plan, and understanding their financial rights and responsibilities.

You can access fantastic financial literacy resources through the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada.

Financial Literacy Month is also the perfect opportunity to sign up for ABC Money Matters - a free introductory financial literacy course for adult learners.