2010 Resources
2009 Resources
Presenter Resources
Best Practices
Additional Research
Photos
Membership & Marketing
Professional Issues
Volunteer Issues
Summer Institute
Legislative Update
2010 Legislative Forum
Student Success Stories

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Literacy Action Network History
2010 - Literacy Minnesota Becomes Literacy Action Network!

2009

  • Held Board retreat at St. Cloud Civic Center
  • Professional Issues Committee conducted statewide salary survey
  • Graphic artist & event planner, Kathy Hand, hired to assist with Summer Institute
  • 4th annual Summer Institute co-hosted with MCEA.  Event moved to the St. Cloud Civic Center--482 attendees
  • Awards banquet held at Summer Institute
  • Soulo Communications hired to “rebrand” Literacy Minnesota
  • Minnesota Council of Nonprofits hired to incorporate as a 501c3 non-profit organization
  • New name for organization chosen: Literacy Action Network
  • Legislative Committee hosted a Legislative Forum organized by the Literacy Minnesota  consultant
  • Legislative Committee Success:
    - ABE funding remained intact
    - Language surrounding the proposed move of ABE to MNSCU was eliminated
    - Changes from the 2009 legislative session included:
    1) the formation of 4 collaborative pilot projects chosen by the Governor’s Workforce Development Committee (GWDC).
    2) Amount of funds allocated to ABE’s supplemental service providers increased to 20%.
  • Membership total = 375

2008

  • Two of Literacy Minnesota's three ABE platform planks were passed by the legislature (HF 1812), and have been accepted by the governor: 1) Decoupling the 3% annual increase solely from the previous year's growth, and instead looking at the 3% growth factor averaged over a ten-year period; and 2) GED test fees will be funded at $40 instead of $20.
  • Third Literacy Minnesota-MCEA Statewide Summer Institute held.
  • Annual Awards were held at a banquet at Summer Institute.
  • Summer Institute Planning Committee became an official Literacy Minnesota committee.
  • The Minnesota Literacy Council became the fiscal host of Literacy Minnesota.
  • Professional Issues Committee held Focus Groups across Minnesota.

2007

  • Successfully championed an 11.4% increase in ABE funding.
  • Second Literacy Minnesota-MCEA Statewide Summer Institute held.
  • Hired new lobbyists: Sherry Munyon and Linda Sandvig.
  • Increased membership to 400.
  • Professional Issues Committee instituted Promising Practices.

2006

  • First joint Literacy Minnesota-MCEA Statewide Summer Institute held.
  • ABE Awards presented at Statewide Summer Institute.
  • Increased membership to more than 350.
  • Instituted Treasurer position on Board.

2005

  • The Professional Issues Committee conducted statewide salary survey.
  • Hired part-time consultant to manage administration of organization.
  • Increased presence in literacy community with expanded website and attendance at conferences/trainings.
  • The Volunteer Issues Committee published the Tap into the Service-Learning Resource: Tools to Get Started.
  • Annual ABE Awards presented at Summer Intensive Training.
2004
  • Held retreat at ARC in Cambridge.
  • Continued Alternative Licensure project at Literacy Training Network.
  • Produced the second ABE Impact Report.
  • Annual ABE Awards presented at Summer Intensive Training.
2003
  • Held general session at Summer Intensive Training on unallotment.
  • Paula Freiermuth is hired for Alternative Licensure project.
  • Learners invited to Awards ceremony at Summer Intensive Training.
  • Produced Volunteer Issues paper.
2002
  • Received a second Innovative Grant to produce a video on Adult Basic Education.
  • Partnered with MCEA on a fall conference, where the first Pegasus Award is given out.
  • The Executive Board held its first retreat in Buffalo.
  • The Professional Issues Committee developed a proposal to the Board of Teaching for Adult Basic Education licensure.
2001
  • Received an Innovative Grant to publish ABE Best Practices and ABE Learner Stories.
  • Board members attend spring Literacy Training Network Regionals.
  • The Pegasus Award is developed.
2000
  • Email job posting becomes a member benefit.
1999
  • Launched the Literacy Minnesota website.
  • The first Awards Ceremony is held.
1998
  • The Legislative Coalition is formed.
  • Another legislative forum is held in September.
1997
  • Literacy Minnesota hosts sessions on licensure at Summer Intensive.
  • Website planning begins.
1996
  • Hired a VISTA volunteer.
  • The newsletter is started.
1995
  • The famous yellow, legislative post cards make their first appearance.
1994
  • The first Literacy Minnesota lobbyist is hired.
  • The ABE Resource Guide is developed.
1993
  • The Impact Report is completed.
  • The dual membership with MCEA is introduced.
1992
  • The first legislative forum is held, in addition to several panel discussions.
  • The first membership cards with bookstore discounts are distributed.
1991
  • 20-30 charter members begin the organization with a $20,000 grant from MALC.
  • Six committees are part of the original organization: Advocacy, Professionalization, Marketing/Membership, Forum Planning, Adult Learners, and Legislative Issues.
  • Work is begun on Adult Basic Education competencies and licensure.
  • The first president of Literacy Minnesota is Dianne Dayton.