National Coalition for Literacy

By Heidi Silver-Pacuilla

With the passage of a new membership structure, the Coalition completes the updating work begun two years ago at our strategic planning retreat. Thanks in very large measure to John Segota, now Vice President, we have worked to update and upgrade our processes and procedures and open our membership structure to be more inclusive, flexible, and forward-looking.

In December 2010, the Board voted to pass the new operating procedures. These procedures now govern how we coordinate committee work, consider policy matters, tally and report votes, and move forward on issues when there is not unanimity.

At the February 2011 Quarterly Member Meeting, we also circulated the proposed membership structure changes and received several thoughtful questions and suggestions. These were incorporated into the current structure that was adopted by the Board in a vote on March 21. The wording of the vote allows for flexibility in implementation in order to accommodate a phased-in adoption.

NCL’s New Membership Structure

The changes in the membership structure will allow the Coalition to be more inclusive to current Member organizations and recruit other eligible organizations. Note two key features:

Sliding Scale: To be more inclusive, and to encourage more participation in the guidance and direction of the Coalition, the former $1,000 dues category has been replaced with a sliding scale that will more equitably reflect organizations’ ability to pay. The sliding scale is in place for both Member and Associate tiers.

Reconfigured categories: The membership categories were reconfigured to provide a more transparent structure and to make participation more accessible by other organizations. Rather than focus on voting or non-voting membership, the Coalition has only one main category for Members focused on national, non-profit organizations. Members enjoy full benefits of participation in the Coalition. We strongly encourage all current Members to upgrade their status to Members.

For those organizations that do not qualify for membership (such as state, regional, or local organizations, or national organizations without a primary focus on adult education), a new Associate tier has been created to allow for more opportunities for involvement.  Associates are welcome to attend all Coalition public functions, will receive NCL Updates, and may be invited to participate in other work of the Coalition, for example policy calls and task forces, per the discretion of the President and other appropriate Directors.

In addition, a new philanthropic Friends of the Coalition classification has been created to accommodate interested individuals and entities who wish to support the work of the Coalition. Friends are welcome to attend all Coalition public functions, will receive NCL Updates, and may be invited to participate in other work of the Coalition, for example policy calls and task forces, per the discretion of the President and other appropriate Directors.

We have posted FAQs about the changes and we can add any additional questions you may have. Feel free to email or call Board Members with any concerns or suggestions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking ahead, the Board will use this streamlined structure to recruit and promote the Coalition—we encourage you to do the same! Involvement in the National Coalition for Literacy at this time of budget threats from all sides is an important way to advocate vocally and strategically to keep adult education seen as the good investment in national priorities that it truly is. Use our Fact Sheet to help make this case.