by Patricia Donnelly
One of the recommendations coming out of last year's management study was to use technology more effectively and efficiently. The Literacy Council board and staff are taking that seriously and trying new things. This first-ever online newsletter is a good example. Let us know what you think by sending us an email to info@lcnv.org.
Other things we are exploring or beginning to implement include: submitting tutor quarterly reports, classroom progress reports, and attendance numbers online and providing an online new volunteer orientation video. We're also considering how to offer continuing education for volunteers through online workshops. Even the Council's special event Reading: A Family Affair has added a technology feature: Click a book.
If you have a special affinity for hard copy, for reading what's in your hands instead of what's on a screen in front of you, this transition to an online newsletter might not be so appealing. But we felt strongly that we had to at least try it for a few reasons. First, it's a way to save money. Printing and mailing thousands of copies of a 12-page newsletter four times a year can add up to a lot of money. As funding for our programs becomes harder to come by, especially in these trying economic times, we felt it prudent to cut back on printing costs wherever we could. We need to direct as much funding as possible directly to our programs. E-publishing is greener too—no trees were cut down in the creation of this issue of Literacy Lines. Lastly, it can have the advantage of being more accessible. A newsletter can be misplaced a lot more easily than a computer. But whatever our reasons for going partially electronic, our main concern regarding the newsletter is that you find it informative, helpful, and enjoyable to read, so please let us know what you think. Thank you for your support.
Visit the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia on these other sites as well:
