President’s Message

Another perspective on….‘There is no “I” in “Team”’

“There is no ‘I’ in ‘Team.’” As I see it, that may be true in some situations, but without the ‘Individuals’ who contribute to the team’s efforts, many things would not be accomplished.

At September’s annual meeting, I asked individuals to stand and be recognized for the work that they have done in contributing to the success of GMLC. This includes former and current members of committees and our board, and volunteers who’ve helped with booths, fund raisers and special events.

Not surprisingly, nearly every member who was present stood up. If you were not present, I hope that you will be able to count yourself as one of the “I’s” on our team and accept our thanks for your efforts. We will continue to need your help and support as we move forward with initiatives from our Strategic Plan.

There are many hardworking people who have contributed to our accomplishments and unfortunately there is not enough room in this column---or even this newsletter to adequately thank them all.

I would, however, like to take this opportunity to extend our special thanks to Joanne Lange who has been representing Wisconsin Literacy and GMLC as the Southeastern Regional Consultant. She has demonstrated her commitment to literacy efforts by working to strengthen the ties between literacy providers in the southeastern part of the state. She has also been assisting with professional development activities and helping to develop a toolkit for new literacy agencies to guide them through the challenges of beginning a new service.

Beginning in January, 2007, Wisconsin Literacy will be expanding the role for the Regional Consultants with additional duties and expanded hours.

Once the new person has been selected, Joanne will be stepping down and return to her “Retiree” status. She will continue to be a part of GMLC, assisting with our fund development plans and volunteering for other activities.

Thanks Joanne! And thanks again to all of you for your help and support.

Wishing all of you safe, happy and healthy holidays,

-- Dawn Lauber

US adult education system marks milestone

(From “The Rise of the Adult Education and Literacy System in the United States: 1600-2000” by Thomas Sticht, international consultant in adult education.)

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Adult Education and Literacy System (AELS) in the United States. The program continues today as Title 2: The Adult Education and Family Literacy Act of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.

Establishing the system took years of effort. Yet, over the past four decades, adults have used the AELS to help them find abundance and liberty from the bonds of poverty and underemployment for themselves and their families. For tens of millions of adults, this hope has been fulfilled.

Mary Ann Jackson Scholarship Endowment

The Mary Ann Jackson Scholarship Endowment has been created to mark the occasion of Mary Ann’s retirement (or in her words, “rewirement”). Throughout her career of over 20 years in adult education in Wisconsin, Mary Ann has been instrumental in promoting awareness of the high incidence of illiteracy in our state and in bringing federal dollars to help address the problem. All literacy agencies in the state have benefited from the statewide conferences and programs that she has organized as well as her leadership in representing Wisconsin on national committees and in Washington, D.C.

Contributions to the Endowment Fund are being accepted. Please consider thanking Mary Ann for her dedication to adult education in Wisconsin by sending a check to MATC Foundation, 3350 Anderson St., Madison, WI 53704. For more information, contact the Foundation at 608-246-6441.
-- Mary Moze