NCL Dollar General Advocacy Symposium in NC

Date: November 17, 2009

Hello fellow adult education advocates!

Jackie Taylor and I (Marsha Tait) are in NC this week faciliating an advocacy symposium in partnership with the North Carolina Basic Skills Program and Community College System and the North Carolina Literacy Association (presented with generous support from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation). We are very excited to have 90 potential new advocates signed up for our two day session — and great participation from Randi Whitfield (VP of Academic and Student Services, Basic Skills Dept. NC Community College System) and her colleagues. Guest speakers include Jackson Routh from DG, Dr. Peter Waite, NCL president, Lynn Selmser, NCL Policy Director, and representatives of a local partnership called the Gaston Career Climb.

To all of our NC attendees and colleagues — please come back to the blog in the coming weeks and tell us how you are using the information and resources from the symposium. We look forward to hearing from you!

» First #AEChat in Adult Education Focuses on Public Policy Advocacy

» Adult Educators at CAEPA Rendezvous Organize for Advocacy

» The National Coalition for Literacy to Present at USCAL, Houston, Texas

» Join the National Coalition for Literacy at COABE 2011!

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Marcy Ray

in November 17th, 2009 @ 18:07

Thank you for a much – needed symposium. As you have heard we lack a central state advocacy plan and this has been a fantastic catalyst for our thinking.

[Reply]
Bessie Dietrich Goggins

in November 17th, 2009 @ 18:15

Before attending the first session of the two-day symposium, I worried that I wouldn’t understand my role in advocacy and public policy because politics can be a little intimidating. However, by having a passion for literacy and adult education, I think that I am already further into the process of developing partnerships and advocating for the cause and for my specific nonprofit organization, The Literacy Council of Highlands.

One of the most useful tools of the website I can identify right away is the advice on meeting legislators and inviting them to the organization’s facilities. While words are important (hence my feelings towards literacy!), I think that having people see the day-to-day activities and experiences of our programs’ participants can help solidify the reality of what I will be advocating.

In addition, this seminar has motivated me to investigate what other advocacy work for literacy is taking place in Western North Carolina. Because while it is important for each voice to be heard in the process, finding a group of like-minded people can help create a solid, accessible message that may resonate more soundly with the legislators.

Is anyone else from the western portion of the state? What actions of advocacy have other individuals and organizations taken thus far?

[Reply]
Karin Abell

in November 17th, 2009 @ 18:39

Hi everyone,

Throughout the session this afternoon, I have been thinking about sharing student stories with legislators/legislative staff, but I keep coming up against the same problem that I have when I get in contact with media, which is that I may have a student with a great story but who has a less-than-legit immigration status. Do you all have any suggestions?

[Reply]
Deborah Britton

in November 17th, 2009 @ 18:41

Thanks for a stimulating and informative session this afternoon. We have been recipients of a Dollar General grant in support of our Family Literacy program in Alleghany County and are grateful for the commitment and support Dollar General continues to provide in this cause.
BTW, please note that Senator Kay Hagan is also a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee and may be important to include in our advocacy endeavors.

Best,

Deborah Britton and Janet Derick

[Reply]
Ellen Spencer

in November 17th, 2009 @ 19:06

I am thankful for the opportunity to attend this 2-day symposium which features several advocacy frontrunners. I am grateful for the resources that have been made available to me so that I may establish myself as a more effective advocate for adult education. I’ve already begun my exploration of the NCL Advocacy Clearinghouse and Toolkit, and I already feel more empowered regarding where to start in getting my students and my voice heard.

[Reply]
Roberta Mahatha

in November 17th, 2009 @ 19:33

The discussion today sparked all kinds of ideas and questions.
The most pressing question is, How do I advocate for our program, instructors and students? There are layers of administrators above me and I don’t want to do anything out of order. Is there anyone who is successfully navigating these waters?

[Reply]
Diane Cooker

in November 17th, 2009 @ 21:19

The information about the need to work with other literacy agencies to make an impact on our congressmen was new to me. Yet when it was presented, it made perfect sense. It was just something I had never considered.

[Reply]
Heidi Silver-Pacuilla Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Hi Diane and all of you – What a fabulous event you must have had! Sounds great.

I think we all know and teach that there is strength in numbers, but what we also know and don’t remember to draw on is that partnerships are also important, energizing, and sustaining. Going in on an advocacy campaign with a partnering organization can make the job less daunting – and a lot more fun for you and your students. Going to representatives’ offices with friends and colleagues makes the task less threatening.
Friends are always important, and advocacy is all about working together, so why not from the very start?!

Heidi
Kay

in November 17th, 2009 @ 22:34

After this afternoon’s session I am motivated to encourage the incorporation of “small acts of advocacy” into existing day to day activities. Just one example is the writing of letters or e-mails, as a class activity, or the planning (involving students) of a visit by elected officials. Initially, the thought of launching into a campaign of advocacy seemed overwhelming, but I believe the trick is to make it manageable and realistic.

[Reply]
Linda Moyer

in November 17th, 2009 @ 22:55

I have long believed that critical thinking skills and strategies to learn and find information need to be at the center of curricula. After seeing the Did you know? clip at the conference today, I realize that content’s impact is fleeting. Educators’ efforts must focus on learning strategies and critical thinking.

[Reply]
Nikki

in November 17th, 2009 @ 23:13

Today we were presented with a wealth of information. I am particularly excited to explore the NCL website. I can’t wait to get back home and get started practicing “grassroots” advocacy. I have learned in just one afternoon how important it is that our local representatives know our views on adult education and what a big impact can be made just by picking up the phone or writing a letter. Thanks to everyone who presented today, I am truly looking forward to tomorrow!

[Reply]
Sue O'Neill

in November 18th, 2009 @ 01:11

Thank you all so much for coming to present this process for effective advocacy to us in North Carolina! While we are all aware of the needs of our literacy programs, we often don’t know how best to go about finding concrete solutions in the business or political arenas. Understanding how the process works is key to participation in it!

[Reply]
Sara Lambert

in November 18th, 2009 @ 11:48

The role playing example this morning triggered many questions and has inspired me to be more vocal in my community.

[Reply]
mltait

in December 1st, 2009 @ 13:34

To all of our friends and colleagues — and new literacy advocates! — in North Carolina:
Jackie and I are in Washington DC this week attending meetings of the National Coalition for Literacy. We are putting some of what we shared with you at the symposium into action — visiting this afternoon with Capitol Hill staff responsible for reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act — and meeting with colleagues from our membership during the week. We will share information and hopefully gather some new intelligence about what is happening here at the federal level.
We hope you are using the tools and resources that we shared with you at the symposium. Be sure to post updates on your progress so that we can all learn from what you are doing!
Also, you may not be aware that representatives of the US Department of Education and others (including David Harvey from ProLiteracy) are in Brazil this week attending a UNESCO international literacy conference, CONFINTEA VI. You are not alone in your advocacy efforts! Be sure to check it out if you have a moment. http://www.unesco.org/en/confinteavi/

[Reply]
Jackie Taylor

in December 3rd, 2009 @ 15:33

Hello! I’m blogging from the NCL Quarterly Meeting in Washington, DC, and we are telling them about all of the great work you did in North Carolina. We hope you’ll check back on the blog and continue our advocacy conversations here.

See you online,

Jackie

[Reply]
Betsy Wolff

in December 28th, 2009 @ 14:22

Hey Marsha, Excited to learn that our sister state is moving ahead on advocacy for adult literacy. I’m a brand new author and publisher of adult lit books but am a seasoned old advocate for education and related issues. Lots of experience in grassroots work and advocacy training and would love to be included in discussions, will make presentations etc. My experience is Southern and much of it is rural but 90% can be applied anywhere. Betsy (SC)

[Reply]
Betsy Wolff

in December 28th, 2009 @ 14:33

Oops — wrong address given in previous e-mail. This message contains my (very new) blog address. Please visit if you would like to read advocacy related blogs. Sorry — still in about third grade in blogging proficiency!! Betsy

[Reply]

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NCL Dollar General Advocacy Symposium in NC

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Comments RSS TrackBack 17 comments

Marcy Ray

Bessie Dietrich Goggins

Karin Abell

Deborah Britton

Ellen Spencer

Roberta Mahatha

Diane Cooker

Kay

Linda Moyer

Nikki

Sue O'Neill

Sara Lambert

mltait

Jackie Taylor

Betsy Wolff

Betsy Wolff