Literacy Now

At the International Reading Association, the activities of our state/provincial and local councils are integral to our mission of literacy outreach and professional development for educators. We celebrated them with these awards at the IRA 58th Annual Convention in April 2013 in San Antonio, Texas.

Exemplary Reading Program Award Winners
The following schools were given these awards through their state councils.

East Elementary School, Cullman, AL
Willis D. Shaw Elementary School, Springdale, AR
Blackwater Community School, Coolidge, AZ
Loomis Grammar School, Loomis, CA
Grove Avenue Elementary School, Barrington, IL
Tonganoxie Elementary School, Tonganoxie, KS
Arabi Elementary School, Arabi, LA
Reidsville Middle School, Reidsville, NC
Englewood Elementary School, Salem, OR
Loomis Elementary School, Broomall, PA
Campobello-Gramling Elementary School, Campobello, SC
Pi Beta Phi Elementary School, Gatlinburg, TN
Stewart Elementary School, Huntsville, TX
Belview Elementary, Radford, VA
School District of Fort Atkinson Elementary Schools, Fort Atkinson, WI
Blackwater Community School, Coolidge, AZ

 

Membership Achievement Awards

GOLD

Alaska State Literacy Association
Alberta Provincial Council
Connecticut Reading Association
Illinois Reading Council
Texas Association for Literacy Education (TALE)
Utah Council
Wisconsin State Reading Association

SILVER

North Dakota Reading Association
West Virginia Reading Association

BRONZE

Indiana State Reading Association
Minnesota Reading Association
New York State Reading Association

 

Student Membership Achievement Awards

GOLD

Alabama Reading Association
Arkansas Reading Association
Diamond State Reading Association
Georgia Reading Association
Idaho Council
Kansas Reading Association
Louisiana Reading Association
Maine Reading Association
North Carolina Reading Association
North Dakota Reading Association
Saskatchewan Reading Council
Vermont Council on Reading

SILVER

Indiana State Reading Association

 

Local Council Community Service Award

Cody Reading Council (Cody, WY)
Rindi Plambeck and Rebecca Davis, Co-Presidents

 

Advocacy Awards

Connecticut Reading Association
Cathy Mastrianna, President

Illinois Reading Council
Pat Braun, President

Louisiana Reading Association
Dorothy Young, President

Michigan Reading Association
Grace Velchansky, President

Oklahoma Reading Association
Lori Pendelton, President

Virginia State Reading Association
Valerie Robnolt, President

 

Awards of Excellence

Alabama Reading Association
Nancy Nix, President

Arizona Reading Association
Ollie Archambault, President

Arkansas Reading Association
Deborah Hardwick-Smith, President

British Columbia Literacy Council
Patricia Weaver, President

California Reading Association
Lynn Gurnee, President

Colorado Council
Hollyanna Bates, President

Diamond State Reading Association
Maureen Keeney, President

Florida Reading Association
Evan Lefsky, President

Georgia Reading Association
Lynn Minor, President

Illinois Reading Council
Patricia Braun, President

Indiana State Reading Association
Chris Judson, President

Iowa Reading Association
Anthony Pieper, President

Kansas Reading Association
Donita Shaw, President

Kentucky Reading Association
Diana Porter, President

Louisiana Reading Association
Dorothy Young, President

Manitoba Reading Association
Louise Duncan, President

State of Maryland IRA Council (SoMIRAC)
Marilyn Barber, President

Massachusetts Reading Association
Sherry Sausville, President

Michigan Reading Association
Grace Velchansky, President

Missouri State Council
Terry Sherer, President

Montana State Reading Council
Karen Hickey, President Elect

Nebraska State Reading Association
Cynthia Mangers Johnson, President

New Mexico State Council
Kristy Hays, President

New York State Reading Association
Peter McDermott, President

North Carolina Reading Association
Sandra Cook, President

North Dakota Reading Association
Gloria Jones, President

Oregon Reading Association
Carol Folk, President

Keystone State Reading Association
Susan Menser, President

Saskatchewan Reading Council
Gisele Carlson, President

South Carolina State Council
Callie Herlong, President

Tennessee Reading Association
Kathy McCollum Brashears, President

Virginia State Reading Association
Valerie Robnolt, President

Washington Organization for Reading Development (WORD)
Dawn Christiana, President

West Virginia Reading Association
Jone Hersch, President

Wisconsin State Reading Association
Janice Weinhold, President

 

Honor Councils

Year 1 Honor Council

Gila County Reading Council, AZ
Lynette Dyas, President

Nicholas County Reading Council, WV
Tony Nichols, President 

Year 2 Honor Councils

Connecticut Northwest Council, CT
Sandra Potts, President

Pennyrile Council, KY
Janet Walker, President

Year 3 Honor Councils

City of Seattle Council, WA
Denise Gudwin, President

IRA Student Literacy Council of the University of Delaware, DE
Cosimo Faella, President

Manitoba Council of Reading, Clinicians, MB
Monica Wiebe, President

Murray, Kentucky Area Council, KY
Chhanda Islam, President

Northern Illinois Reading Council, IL
Elizabeth Hoelting, President

Prairie Area Reading Council, IL
Ellen Kacic, President

West Suburban Reading Council, IL
Marlene Panebianco, President

Year 4 Honor Councils

Arkansas River Valley Reading Council, AR
Sandra Mitchell, President

East Central Indiana Council, IN
Chyenne Wilder, President

Edgefield Reading Council, SC
Ginger Wates, President

Illinois Title I Association, IL
Marilyn Cordes, President

Pinnacle Special Interest Reading Council, AR
Francie Ross, President

Year 5 Honor Councils

Blue Grass Area Council, KY
Lisa King, President

Crystal Coast Reading Council, NC
Dawn Simpson, President

Yavapai Reading Council, AZ
Joan Masaryk, President

Year 6 Honor Councils

Heritage Reading Council, AL
Lori Ann Gibson, President

Jacksonville Reading Council, AL
Lesley Bean, President

University of Mobile Reading Council, AL
Candace Early, President

Year 7 Honor Councils

Elmore County Reading Council, AL
Glenda Vanermen, President

Lake Cumberland Area Reading Council, KY
Christina Warinner, President

Sunset Reading Council, OR
Judy Fisher, President

Year 8 Honor Councils

Benton County Reading Council, TN
Karen Terry, President

Driftwood Reading Council, OR
Melia Jasso, President

Greater Louisville Council, KY
Synthia Shelby, President

Onslow-Lejeune Council, NC
Tracy McIntyre, President

Umpqua Reading Council, OR
Katrina Scott, President

Year 9 Honor Councils

Autauga Reading Council, AL
Faye Moore, President

Berkshire Reading Council, MA
Catherine Salvini, President

Connecticut Association for Reading Research, CT
Judy Stone Moeller, President

Northeast Louisiana Reading Association, LA
Dewanna Eady, President

Niagara Frontier Reading Council, NY
Patricia Oliphant, President

Two Rivers Council, IL
Julie Steinke, President

Year 10 Honor Councils

Bay County Reading Association, FL
Kathleen Fontaine, President

Delaware County Council
Annemarie Jay, President

Eastern Connecticut Reading Council, CT
Joanne Bell, President

Three Sisters Reading Council, OR
Mary Hawes, President

Upper Shore Reading Council, MD
Robin Plummer, President

Vineyard Valleys Reading Council, OR
Melinda Larson, President

Year 11 Honor Councils

Kent Council, MI
Martha Vermeulen, President

Northeast Montana Council, MT
Jane Kolstad, President

Sussex County Organization for Reading Excellence, DE
Lisa Burnham, President

Year 12 Honor Councils

Laurens County Reading Council, SC
Vicky Culbertson, President

Robeson Council, NC
Anthony Spallino, President

Tennessee Valley Reading Council, AL
Sharon Walker, President

Year 13 Honor Councils

Cherokee Reading Council, SC
Tina Morris, President

Kewetin Nene Council, SK
Debby Noble, President

Marshall County Reading Council, WV
Jennifer Lipinski, President

Northeast Arkansas Council, AR
Viola Snow, President

Year 14 Honor Councils

Arkadelphia Area Reading Council, AR
Kaila Murphy, President

Baldwin County Reading Council, AL
Linda Noble, President

Emerald Empire Council, OR
Karren Timmermans, President

Hamilton County Reading Council, IN
Amy Catania, President

Jesse Stewart Council, KY
Marcia Ellis, President

Massachusetts Association of College and University Reading Educators, MA
Jacy Ippolito, President

Mid-State Reading Council, IL
Janel Bolender, President

Newberry County Reading Council, SC
Pamela Cromer, President

Webster County Highlander Reading Council, WV
Aleda Hileman, President

Year 15 Honor Councils

Eastern Iowa Reading Council, IA
Julie Ortner, President

Greater Hartford Area Council, CT
Laura Caruso, President

Greater Paradise Valley Reading Council, AZ
Julie Berlin, President

Saluda Reading Council, SC
Meredith Miller-Rikard, President

South East Reading Council, SK
Joan Bue, President

Year 16 Honor Councils

Central Montana Reading Council, MT
Connie Metcalfe, President

East Central - EIU Reading Council, IL
Ingrid Minger, President

Flint Hills Council, KS
Roger Caswell, President

Washington Parish Reading Council, LA
Rita Mulina, President

Year 17 Honor Councils

Guam Council, GU
Jonathan Pilarca, President

Headwaters Reading Council, WI
Colleen Konicek, President

Mid-Shore Reading Council, MD
Elizabeth Coxon, President

Monmouth County Reading Council, NJ
Joyce Noren, President

Reading Council of Northern Delaware, DE
Cecilia McCormick, President

San Joaquin County Reading Association, CA
Anne Weisenberg, President

South Arkansas Reading Council, AR
Dana Kelly, President

Spartanburg County Council, SC
Amanda Cox, President

Year 18 Honor Councils

Cape Cod Council, MA
MaryEllen Caesar, President

Central Minnesota Reading Council, MN
Beth Laudenbauch, President

Fort Collins Council, CO
Laura Whale, President

Fox Valley Reading Council, WI
Teri Rucinsky, President

Piedmont Area Reading Council, VA
Joyce Spencer, President

Year 19 Honor Councils

Cook Inlet Council, AK
Elizabeth Zeuli, President

Gateway Reading Council, CA
Paula Aja, President

Jefferson County Council, AR
Kathy Carnahan, President

North Louisiana Reading Council, LA
Loretta Jaggers, President

Placer Area Reading Council, CA
Jenn Tverberg, President

Suburban Council, IL
Laura Polkoff, President

Year 20 Honor Councils

Chicago Area Reading Association, IL
Margaret Richek, President

Kent Council, DE
Kimberly Cole, President

Mason County Council, WV
Lei Sergent, President

Northwest Arkansas Council, AR
Donna Owen, President

Reading Council of Southern New Jersey, NJ
Jane Arochas, President

Southern Maryland Reading Council, MD
Linda Forrest, President

Year 21 Honor Councils

Central Arizona Reading Council, AZ
Carolee Sopicki, President

Chester County Reading Association, PA
Glendia Kennedy, President

Eisenhower Area Reading Council, KS
Janelle Riedy, President

Grant County Reading Council, AR
Tara Derby, President

Kanawha Council of International Reading Association, WV
Barbara Jones, President

New River Valley Reading Council, VA
Peggy Kincaid, President

Piedmont Reading Council, SC
Denise Schweikart, President

SEARK Reading Council, AR
Julie Workman, President

Three Rivers Reading Council, AR
Michele Newnum, President

Twin Rivers Council, NC
Janet Zinni, President

Year 22 Honor Councils

Berkeley Reading Council, SC
Cathy Delaney, President

East San Gabriel Valley, CA
Melissa Lowry, President

Madison Area Reading Council, WI
Janet Farnan, President

Mid-Hudson Council, NY
Mary Ann Zuccaro, President

Tri-County Reading Council, PA
Penny Naugle, President

Year 23 Honor Councils

Cecil Council, MD
Jessica Kubek, President

Lake Washington Council, WA
Cim Dew, President

Rainbow Reading Council, AL
Felicia Chambers, President

Raleigh-Wake Council, NC
Anita Stack, President

Rogue Valley Council, OR
Tonya Noon-Toledo, President

Smoky Mountain Reading Council, TN
Tammy Madon, President

Year 24 Honor Councils

Carroll Reading Council, MD
Joanne Dicke, President

Eastern Shore Reading Council, MD
Michelle Shreeves, President

Frederick County Reading Council, MD
Kathleen Reifschneider, President

Lancaster-Lebanon Reading Council, PA
Carol Severance, President

North Central Reading Association, ND
Amy Engelhard, President

Shenandoah Valley Reading Council, VA
Sandra Proctor, President

Southeast Regional Reading Council, MA
Janice Standring, President

Year 25 Honor Councils

Duval County Reading Council, FL
Sandra Pruitt, President

Moore County Council, NC
Misty Clark, President

Nassau Reading Council, NY
Kathleen Conway-Gervais, President

Pikes Peak Council, CO
Claudia Miller, President

Roanoke Valley Council, VA
Charles Richards, President

Weld County Reading Council, CO
Michele Warner, President

Year 26 Honor Councils

Colonial Association of Reading Educators Council, PA
Kathleen Sagl, President

Metro-Mobile Reading Council, AL
Pamela McDade, President

Phyllis Allen Smith
North Shore Council, MA
Holly Banusiewicz, President

Western Kentucky Council, KY
Sara Jennings, President

Year 27 Honor Councils

Anne Arundel Reading Council, MD
Beth Burke, President

Central Wisconsin Reading Council, WI
Amber Garbe, President

Gary Reading Council, IN
Lolita Good-Lewis, President

Midland Empire Reading Council, MT
Janelle Wilson, President

Portland Council of IRA, OR
Barbara Kutasz, President

Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg, MB
Cindy Thiessen, President

Wood County Reading Council, WV
Lois Meadows, President

Year 28 Honor Councils

Capital Reading Council, OR
Kathleen Moran, President

Central Arkansas Council, AR
Daisy Hunt, President

Chesapeake Reading Council, VA
Heather Bailey, President

Euclid Council, OH
Hannah Szabo, President

Evansville Area Reading Council, IN
Holly Titus, President

Geary County Council, KS
Rolinda Smith, President

Howard County Council, MD
Maria Moy, President

Jefferson County Council, CO
Dana Plewka, President

Phoenix West Council, AZ
Melissa Selby, President

Tennessee Tech Council, TN
Michele Campbell, President

Year 29 Honor Councils

Alameda County Reading Association, CA
Jeannette Alday, President

Brooklyn Reading Council, NY
Milton Mayers, President

Cabell County Council, WV
Tina Cooper, President

Columbia Area Reading Council, SC
Evette Bradley, President

Contra Costa Reading Association, CA
Tanya Leyden, President

Hardy Reading Council, IA
Karla Bronzynski, President

Harrison County Reading Council, WV
Chrisanne Diaz, President

Lee’s Summit Reading Council, MO
Julie Caldwell, President

Marion County Reading Council, WV
Twyla Rote, President

Mid-Valley Council, OR
Cheryl Graham, President

Nobscot Council, MA
Marlene Correia, President

North Central Arkansas Reading Council, AR
Jeanne Harvey, President

North Central Council, TN
Mary Truka, President

Palmetto Council, SC
Brenda Capps, President

St. Louis Suburban Council, MO
Thomas Cornell, President

Tulsa County Reading Council, OK
Tulagina Smith, President

Wayne County Reading Council, MI
Hakim Shahid, President

Year 30 Honor Councils

Arrowhead Reading Council, MN
Pamela Tomassoni, President

Central New York Council, NY
Kathryn Lester, President

Delaware Valley Reading Association, PA
Ann Finore, President

Metropolitan Reading Council, NE
Janet Larson, President

Sacramento Area Reading Association, CA
Meg Gillman, President

Springfi eld Council, MO
Sarah Logan, President

Tucson Area Council, AZ
Kathryn Bell, President

West Jersey Reading Council, NJ
Susan Yoder, President

Year 31 Honor Councils

Central Nebraska Reading Council, NE
Rebecca Bartlett, President

Erie Reading Council, PA
Anna Landers, President
Greater Boston Council, MA
Jean Helstrom, President

Greater San Diego Reading Association, CA
Maureen Begley, President

Greater Washington Reading Council, VA
Kathryn Miller, President

Harford County Reading Council, MD
Lisa Komondor, President

Newport News Reading Council, VA
Sherry Edbauer, President

Orange County Reading Association, CA
Megan Sommers

Richmond Area Reading Council, VA
Debi Buck, President

Santa Clara County Reading Council, CA
Kari Ito, President

Virginia Beach Reading Council, VA
Jennifer Haws, President

 

Read more about these and other awards on the International Reading Association awards and grants webpage. Learn more about councils or find your local council on the IRA councils page.

 

At the IRA 58th Annual Convention in April 2013 in San Antonio, Texas, we gathered to celebrate our members from around the world. The following members and international affiliates were recognized for their service to the field of literacy. 

Constance McCullough Award

Carla Jean Raynor, A Growing and Developing Society— Intergenerational Learning with Families at the Core Bhutan

Global Volunteer Award

Dr. Anne Sustik, Illinois Reading Association

Dr. Janet Condy, Reading Association of South Africa

International Membership Development Awards

Perhimpunan Baca-Tulis Masyarakat (PBTM), Indonesia

Sindh-Balochistan Reading Council, Pakistan

Literacy Projects in Countries with Developing Economies

Beatrice Tafon Takeh, Children’s Book Club, Cameroon

Dr. Apolonia Tamata, Evaluating the Information Text Awareness Project (ITAP) and Documenting Localized Teaching Practices in Fiji, Fiji

Majidova Robiya Abduvalievna, Reading Club for Young Learners in Kairakkum, Tajikistan

Dr. Pinheiro Angela Maria Veira, The Professionalization of Literacy Teachers in Brazil, Brazil

Hadi Tabassum Samina, Teach for India, India

Margaret Muthiga, Reading to Rebuild and Nourish, Argentina

Melina Porto, Developing Critical Thinking Skills in Spanish Speaking Argentina, Argentina

Geraldine Nanjala, Library Program in Ndege Primary Schools, Kenya

United Kingdom Association Literacy Awards

UKLA Book Award - Awarded every year. The only national book award judged by teachers, and shadowed by student teachers. Chair - Lynda Graham

Iris & Isaac by Catherine Rayner
3-6 years category
Published by Little Tiger Press

Sky Hawk by Gill Lewis
7-11 years category
Published by Oxford University Press

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
12- 16 years category,
Illustrated by Jim Kay, published by Walker Books

UKLA/Wiley-Blackwell Research in Literacy Education Awards - Awarded every year.
Shortlists drawn up by panel convened by editors of JRR (Clare Wood) and Literacy (Cathy Burnett and Julia Davies). Panel chaired by Jackie Marsh.

Journal of Research in Reading (JRR)
Melby-Lervåg, M., Lervåg, A. (2011) Cross-linguistic transfer of oral language, decoding, phonological awareness and reading comprehension: a meta-analysis of the correlational evidence.
Journal of Research in Reading. Vol 34:1 pp.114-135

Literacy
Moss.G., (2011) Policy and the search for explanations for the gender gap in literacy attainment.
Literacy. Vol 45:3 pp.111-118

UKLA Academic Book Award - Awarded every two years

2011 Winner: Margaret Mallett
Choosing and using fiction and Non-Fiction 3-11

UKLA Literacy School of the Year: A school where literacy thrives- This is a new award

Frederick Bird School, Coventry

John Downing Award - Awarded every two years. Awarded to inspirational, creative teachers of literacy.

2011 Winner Jo Scott
Rowley Lane Junior
Infant and Nursery School, Huddersfield

New Zealand Awards

New Zealand Literacy Association Honour Council Awards

Auckland
Manawatu
Otago
Waikato
Hawkes Bay

New Zealand Literacy Association Marie Clay Literacy Trust International Literacy Conference Travel Award

Jane Carroll, Otago Reading Association
Awarded for travel to Spain for the International Workshop on Reading and Developmental Dyslexia

International Reading Association Award for Innovative Reading Promotion in Europe

Yvonne Mullan, Reading Association of Ireland (RAI)
An Intervention to Improve the Literacy Skills of Deaf Children

For more information on awards and grants, visit the IRA awards webpage.

 

Excitement is building for the 2013 Council Leadership Academy, the four-day professional development opportunity for International Reading Association (IRA) council leaders and future leaders entitled “Destination Success.”

The Academy features presenters who are highly-experienced literacy educators and business professionals with backgrounds in council governance and outreach issues including strategic planning, finance, advocacy, communications, and marketing.

Expert presenters include East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania Reading Department Chair and IRA President Maureen McLaughlin, New Jersey City University Professor and IRA President-Elect Jill Lewis-Spector, Judson University Professor and IRA Board Member Steven Layne. Also presenting are IRA Executive Director Marcie Craig Post, IRA Director of Government Relations Richard Long, IRA Director of Business Linda Marston, IRA Director of Marketing Stephen Sye, IRA Senior Writer and Content Strategist Lara Deloza, and IRA Leadership Development Associates Rayann Mitchell and Tiffany Sears.

Jill Lewis-Spector and Richard Long will be presenting in-depth sessions on current education legislation and policy and how to interact with government officials on local, state, and federal levels.

“We can see that the combination of budget cuts, de-professionalization of teachers, and new policy directions for public schools have negatively impacted literacy programs and instruction, and have ultimately harmed students’ literacy progress,” says Lewis-Spector. “We must advocate for change to bring more positive results for ourselves, our students, and our schools. Council leaders and, in fact all educators, should realize how they, their students, and their profession can benefit from being education advocates. Advocating together can bring positive results and contribute to building new, rewarding, and exciting professional communities.”

Council members challenged with reaching their membership or confused by all of the social media options will benefit from the communications session with Lara Deloza and Tiffany Sears.

“The most important thing about our session is that communication plans are not ‘one size fits all.’ That’s why our session isn’t either,” says Sears. “Attendees will leave with a practical plan developed with their specific needs in mind.”

Deloza adds, “Participating in social media is no longer optional. The good thing is that social media provides various avenues by which councils can engage and grow membership. [A common] misconception is that developing a communication plan that includes social media is hard. Another misconception is that it costs a lot of money and takes a lot of time to implement these programs. The session will demystify social media and provide attendees with practical tools to craft a solid communication program.”

Rayann Mitchell leads a strategic planning session on Friday and teams with the other presenters throughout the Academy for strategic planning sessions and roundtables. Council leaders in attendance will be close to finalizing their strategic plans by the end of the Academy.

“The session ‘Oh the Places You Will Go’ on Friday is on strategic planning, focusing on big priorities, and utilizing the leadership team to accomplish wildly important goals,” Mitchell says. “Participants will take away both a one-word inspirational focus for the year and a four step plan for executing strategy within their councils to achieve success.”

The presenters will help council leaders discern their challenges and develop clear objectives during several interactive sessions throughout the Academy.

“We can't keep doing things the way we've always done them and expect different results,” Mitchell explains. “If we are going to survive and thrive, we have to create a new model of functioning—one that is responsive to our members’ needs and respects the values, skills, and talents of a new generation of leaders. The type of [strategic] planning that we are suggesting still contains long-range goals and short-term objectives, but it utilizes the acronym SMARTEST (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, timely & tangible, engaging, shifting, and team effort) to give leaders the flexibility to adjust as needed.  Participants will learn the power of laser-light focus on a few wildly important goals and the achievement that results.”

See the complete program schedule on the Council Leadership Academy webpage.

Space is still available for the Council Leadership Academy, which will be held June 27 to 30, 2013, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Find more information and register on the Council Leadership Academy webpage.

 

In response to the operational challenges faced by literacy councils in recent years, the International Reading Association hosts a Council Leadership Academy from June 27 through 30 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Non-profit associations have been hit hard by a tsunami of challenges. Membership levels are eroding, revenues are declining, and conference attendance is suffering. Leaders of most non-profit educational associations are struggling to find a path to turnaround and survival.

The International Reading Association (IRA) developed this intensive multi-day program with the theme “Destination Success” to equip council leaders with the strategic vision and tactical skills that their organizations will need to prosper in this climate. The Council Leadership Academy promises to help council leaders to conduct an operational assessment; learn strategies for turning challenges into opportunities; gain insight on effective ways to utilize social networking; and discover new ways of thinking about and improving governance, organizational management, advocacy, communications, member recruitment and retention, leadership development, and more.

Inspiration and Networking on Thursday

The Academy begins at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 27 with an opening session featuring IRA President Maureen McLaughlin and IRA Executive Director Marcie Craig Post, who will unveil the IRA plan for strategic improvement and how it impacts the work of IRA’s vast network of councils. A networking reception is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., followed by a 6:30 group dinner with inspirational speaker Jodi Hills, author of I Am Amazed. Hills operates a Minneapolis design studio named Studio J which features her collection of “visual verse.”

Wit and Wisdom on Friday

Friday, June 28 begins with an 8:00 a.m. group breakfast and general session with IRA Board Member, author, and speaker Steven Layne. With trademark wit and wisdom, Steven Layne presents “The Success Story Nobody Else Can Write,” an address that outlines four basic tenets that lead to effectiveness and inspiration for all of the key players.

At 10:00 a.m. attendees begin a strand that includes four sessions: organizational management with IRA Executive Director Marcie Craig Post and IRA Director of Business Operations Linda Marston, council network & communications with IRA Leadership Development Associate Tiffany Sears and IRA Content Strategist and Senior Writer Lara Deloza, council leadership with IRA Board Member Steven Layne and IRA Leadership Development Associate Rayann Mitchell, or membership development with IRA Director of Marketing Stephen Sye. There is a mid-morning break, a group lunch, and a mid-afternoon break. The program schedule has more information about the timing of each session and takeaways from each of these strands.

Part I of the mentorship program orientation begins at 4:45 p.m. The mentorship program is a voluntary partnership opportunity for new and experienced council leaders to develop an ongoing relationship to consolidate knowledge, share effective practices, and provide support through feedback and coaching. Friday evening ends with a networking reception at 5:30 and a group dinner at 6:30.

Advocacy and Strategy on Saturday

IRA President-elect Jill Lewis-Spector and IRA Director of Government Relations Richard Long lead the general session at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 29. Lewis-Spector presents “Why Advocacy is Important for IRA, State Councils, and Literacy Teachers,” and Long discusses “What Are the National, Federal and State Issues Impacting Literacy Teachers?”

by Judy Backlund

After I traveled to South Sudan to train teachers in 2011 with fellow Central Washington University professors Phil Backlund and Janet Finke, I wondered how we could do more to help the children there.

South Sudan gained its independence in July 2011 after a long-running civil war. The adult literacy rate is 27 percent, and 63 percent of the population above the age of six has never attended school, according to a U.S. State Department fact sheet.

Clothe the Body

The three of us saw the poverty the South Sudanese children lived in and their need for clothes. Since Phil and I are IRA members and Rotarians, and Janet is an IRA member, we knew just whom to call. We joined with Ellensburg Morning Rotary Club, Rotaract (young Rotarians), and the Central Washington University (CWU) group of the Washington Organization of Reading and Development (WORD) IRA state council to provide clothes for girls and boys at an orphanage in Juba, South Sudan. 

The members of the two organizations met every Sunday night for three months, between January and March, 2012. Together they made 50+ pillowcase dresses and turned 50+ inexpensive t-shirts into cool shirts for kids. This was the “clothe the body” part of our project.

Feed the Mind

To “feed the mind,” we selected one book to go with each article of clothing. For the very small (size 2-4) pillowcase dresses or shirts, we chose board books. As the sizes of clothes increased so did the types of books we selected for each article of clothing. The WORD members carefully selected fiction and nonfiction books as well as only including those that were culturally appropriate for the children. We then packaged one book and an article of clothing in a large Ziploc bag. We put together 136 bags.

“The Clothe the Body, Feed the Mind project was a wonderful experience bringing in CWU WORD and seeing their enthusiasm working with people (Rotarians) they had just met and their passion for not only helping children on the other side of the world but wanting to learn about these people," said Jack Carpenter, Past-President, Ellensburg Morning Rotary Club."[It was a] great sharing of resources, hearts and minds.” 

“It was great to see people of different generations sharing a passion for improving the world through literacy and clothing,” said Lisa Toedtli from Central WORD.

South Sudan Special Delivery

In March 2012, two Rotarians who were also IRA members and another IRA member took the bags of clothes and books to the Confident Children Out of Conflict and Crisis Street Orphanage in Juba, South Sudan. While there we spent time with the girls and the director and have developed a lasting friendship.

Scholarship Project

In addition, Rotaract and WORD raised money for three scholarships to cover the costs for three of the girls to attend school for one year.

"Clothe the Body, Feed the Mind was a great joint project that gave us the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the children in South Sudan, while having an impact on literacy internationally,” said Jackie Robertson, President of Central WORD.

Another part of the Ellensburg project is raising money for $250 scholarships to send one South Sudanese girl to school for a year. A year later and through our connections, other scholarships for additional girls to attend school are being raised.

For information and photos about the Clothe the Body, Feed the Mind Project or ways that you can support Confident Children Out of Conflict and Crisis please feel free to contact me.

Judy Backlund is the Past President of Ellensburg Morning Rotary and the Chair of IRARI, an International Reading Association Special Interest Group, focusing on promoting joint literacy efforts between Rotary Clubs and IRA Councils, backlundju@cwu.edu.