History

2011

• Co-hosted with MCEA a successful Summer Institute Conference in August with over 500 attendees
• Provided a newly revised new teacher orientation at the Summer Institute conference

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.