In a comment on the last blog, Brian said...'what's important is to be sure what is our purpose. This for me as many have also said needs to be our priority. We need to think this through as it's important we don't replicate what already exists.In going forward then perhaps we should consider constructing a constitution or vision/mission statement. This could be done by requesting everyone who wants to should contribute a post on the blog with their ideas in no more than 6-8 points. '
Catherine said... 'I agree with Brian that we should be post our own views on what should be in a constitution / mission statement in around 6-8 bullet points. Again I think we should set a deadline for the completion of this activity (taking account of the views of any new members who join by next Friday). How about Friday 26th October?'
How about adding a comment to this blog with a summary of your vision?
This blog has been set up to provide a forum for Scottish Adult Literacies practitioners to discuss how to progress the idea of a national association. Please let as many colleagues as you can know of its existence and encourage them to contribute to the debate.
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9 comments:
What is the purpose of setting up a Scottish Association of Adult Literacies Practitioners?
To create an independent body of fee paying members that will:
• Ensure the continuation and further development of a social practices approach to adult literacies learning in Scotland.
• Campaign on behalf of practitioners to improve pay and conditions for all those working in the field of adult literacies.
• Enable members to utilise their unique talents to the best of their abilities for the benefit of the Association and other appropriate parties.
• Enable members to share their practice and considerable experience on issues relating to delivering a social practices approach to adult literacies learning.
• Attract funding independent of government influence that can be used to:
o Support the development of an Association website.
o Support the development of an Association newsletter.
o Hold national and regional meetings
o Support professional development of members whose employers are unable to make financial contributions or who are unable to make full contribution themselves.
o Support members to attend national and regional meetings where their employers or selves are unable to contribute financially.
Mission statement
to lead in the development and promotion of good practice in the field of literacies within Scotland, for application both by professional members and by their organisational colleagues.
to serve the professional interests of members.
to uphold the highest ideals in the field of literacies.
I also feel that their should be some sort of graded structure to the membership in order that the membership is open to all but that each grade indicates a level of professionalism within the field, or is that too pompous?
Apart from that I agree with Catherine's comments!
The purpose of this forum is to encourage the promotion and development of professional standards in Scottish Adult Literacies practice.
The objective of this forum is to: -
• Establish a professional guild, association, institution, etc. of some form for the recognition of adult literacies practitioners’ practice.
• Lobby Scottish Executive on matters pertaining to educational policy and in helping establish professional standards of practising adult literacies.
• Represent adult literacy practitioners’ voices at local and national government levels on matters concerning employment legislation, welfare, salary, pensions, holidays, training and development.
In striving towards our objectives the forum will: -
• Establish a membership register of those interested in Scottish Adult Literacies concerns.
• Elect a national committee and appoint office bearers whose aim is to establish a constitution and serve members interests in pursuance of the forum’s purpose and objectives. It is envisaged that sub-committees may need to be formed composed of members and interested groups to work on specific issues who would report back its findings to the national committee.
• Create a number of regional sub-committees and appoint office bearers from its members’ list whose remit will be to organise local meetings for members to share concerns and update members on national committee activities and initiatives.
• Establish a newsletter and create a website for the purpose of communicating local and national adult literacy initiatives, share best practice, access to research and opportunities for training and development.
• Organise an annual national conference inviting international guests to present adult literacy developments providing opportunities for members to engage and come together and share best practice and create networking opportunities.
I'm not totally used to using this methodology. I had meant to start by saying this was what I felt might be the way forward.
I was interested in a comment someone had made earlier about setting up a professional guild. I think this would be important and shouldn't be overlooked as it's clear looking at the history of adult literacies in the UK that this has been a problem. We may also recall our concerns that when TQAL started that we were told it wasn't a teaching qualification. I believe that having a guild would give us the best chance to fight for parity with further educationalists and teachers.
It's great to see how this is coming together, hats off to everyone you are clearly working your socks off and have the bit between your teeth!
Having thought more about it...
To advance continuously the management and development of literacies to the benefit of individuals and the community at large.
To be the professional body for those specialising in advancing the management and the development of literacies, recognised as the leading authority and influence in this field.
I think these aims sum up how I feel about what exactly we are about...any advances?
This sounds really good and I would like to join. Not sure about the graded levels, though. Who would be making the decision on the level of professionalism?
Yeah, I don't think that graded levels are the way forward but otherwise I agree.
Catherine
Hi I've left a post in the 'practical issues' that relate to setting up an association. Please leave any comments.
Catherine
I have read all the fascinating posts but I am not clear on what the unmet need is. Can anybody help?
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