CCLC Newsletter

Literacy  for  Learning for Life

August 2009

Cambria County Literacy Council, Inc.

248 Main Street, Johnstown, PA 15901

Camcolitcouncil.org

814-539-3791

Annual meeting will honor volunteers

The board’s annual meeting and tutor recognition is scheduled for 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Community Arts Center of Cambria County, 1217 Menoher Blvd.

Once again, the theme of the session will be “Just Desserts,” meaning both the thanks given to the council’s volunteers and the refreshments that will be served. The spotlight will be on recipients of the George F. Brown and Ruth C. Toigo awards, both named for an original member of the board of directors.

The George F. Brown Award honors a tutor who has made an outstanding contribution during the past year. It is given to a tutor who has logged extensive service hours, provides new and innovative approaches to teaching, has a good working relationship with students and completes and submits all required forms on time.

The Ruth C. Toigo Award recognizes an outstanding individual or organization influential in education and literacy and not necessarily part of the council. It honors contributions to those ideals in the community.

The council also will present service awards to tutors who have logged various hour levels during the year. A brief business meeting will include election of officers and a time to receive input from tutors and other guests.

The meeting will include a demonstration of the council’s Web site, which became available in May. Those who want to view the site before the meeting should log on to camcolitcouncil.org.

Although there is no charge for the program, those who plan to attend have been asked to register so sufficient refreshments are available. You can register by calling the council office, 539-3791, or sending a note to the office at 248 Main St., Johnstown, PA 15901.

Literacy Day kicks off annual fund drive

The council’s annual fund drive will begin in conjunction with International Literacy Day on Sept. 8. This year’s drive will depend on the generosity of individuals in the Cambria County area to provide the financial basis for the council’s work in the coming year.

Volunteers will prepare letters seeking donations that will be mailed to supporters. Donations also can be made by using the form on the back of this newsletter. Suggested levels of financial support are underwriter, $500; benefactor, $250; student sponsor, $150; patron, $50; donor, $25; and contributor, $10.

Donations help to provide tutor training and materials for students and tutors as well as to cover office expenses that are essential to performing council business. Office and tutoring space is provided by the Cambria County Library in downtown Johnstown as an in-kind support, but office expenses, such as telephone, copier and supplies, are covered by the council.

Cambria County Literacy Council Inc. is a non-profit organization and donations may be tax-deductible. A list of donors will be included in the next newsletter.

ESL workshop in planning stages

The number of students seeking English as a Second Language tutoring remains high. But many tutors who have no ESL experience often express concern that they would not know how to begin.

To make the task easier and less stressful, the council will offer a tutor-to-tutor workshop. Current and former ESL tutors will meet in small groups with those interested in learning how to approach the task. Experienced tutors can offer tips on how to use the standard materials and supplement them with other educational activities.

The date for the workshop has not been finalized yet, although it will be conducted in the downtown library’s community room. Tutors will be notified of the date and asked to register.

Kids-a-Fair draws interest

Board member Harry Weigel once again staffed the council’s booth at the Health and Welfare Council’s annual Kids-a-Fair June 13 at Point Stadium. The event featured a variety of activities offered by area social service agencies and drew hundreds of parents and children.

Harry reported that about 200 children registered for books presented by the council. The winners were Jeremiah Brezovic, 12; Kasey Miljenovich, 8; and Savannah Siska, Ramiro Morales and Carter Cummings, all 6.

All children who stopped by the booth received free bookmarks stamped with the council’s address and phone number. Pens and brochures outlining council services were available for interested parents.

New hours for council office

Volunteers staffing the council office have modified slightly the hours of operation. New hours are Monday, 9 a.m. to noon; Tuesday, 2:30 to 4 p.m.; Wednesday, noon to 2 p.m.; Thursday, 3:15 to 4:15 p.m.; and Saturday, 10:30 to 1 p.m.

Staffers sometimes are in the office at other times depending on work to be done and are receptive to handling any concerns by tutors who happen to stop in.

If you have a specific request, however, it is better to visit during scheduled hours or leave a message on the telephone answering machine. Someone will return your call or leave requested material in the tutoring room.

Additional donors contribute to council

Several contributions have arrived at the council office since the previous newsletter, which included donations to the annual stay-at-home tea fund drive. Those donating were Margaret Lison, Rene Ahlstrom, Gail Kevenk, Beverly Brocious and Barbara Verbiar.

Tips for tutors

Holidays, the weather and special events cause the downtown library to close for the day or have modified hours. In most cases, a notice of a change in hours is posted on the bulletin boards at both entrances and in the elevator. Tutors should check those sites or call the library when there is any doubt about an upcoming holiday or weather conditions.

Summer brings slowdown

The start of summer brought the usual slump in tutoring hours. In April, 20 tutors reported 190.25 hours. In May, there were 18 tutors reporting 128.25 hours and in June, 14 tutors and 128 hours. Figures for July are not available yet.

New ESL resources available

The downtown library has acquired several CDs on “Learning to Speak English” for a variety of foreign languages. These CDs are available to council tutors for use with their students. The languages available are Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Korean and Hindi. Anyone interested in using these CDs should check with Mary Lou Repsher, the librarian who selects language materials.

Time to help a friend

Friends of the Library will conduct a used book sale Sept. 24-26 in the downtown library’s community room and a bake sale in the adjacent lobby. The library has been a supporter of the council, providing office and tutoring space and allowing use of the community room for tutor training.