SUPPORT READING: START A READING COUNCIL IN YOUR AREA!

by Ann Millikan

 State Coordinator, Indiana Reading Association

     Oh, the marvels that surround us in this first decade of the new century! Each day, or so it seems, we are introduced to a new piece of wondrous technology promising to dazzle or serve us in myriad ways. There’s no denying that all this wizardry is exciting, so much so, in fact, that the most wondrous thing of all — reading — has been shoved into the background like a discarded toy the day after Christmas. We all know that reading is the solid foundation on which almost all other learning depends. With that in mind, we need to become even more actively involved in the support of reading among young people to help restore its rightful place in the foreground.

     A significant first step is to increase awareness of the benefits of the International Reading Association (IRA), an organization truly dedicated to promoting reading around the world. Its five goals are Professional Development, Advocacy, Partnerships, Research, and Global Literacy Development. Local reading councils help support these goals. The IRA has developed a set of guidelines for establishing new local councils.  They include: establishing a name for the local council, determining the area the council will serve, the purpose and goals of the council, a list of officers who are IRA members, a membership roster of at least 20 local council members including 10 IRA members, and a governing document such as by laws. Members may include anyone interested in promoting reading.

     Indiana currently has 25 active local reading councils whose traditional role is to provide professional development opportunities for members. If a local reading council is unavailable in your area, here is your chance to get actively involved in supporting reading: start a new council!

     The Indiana State Reading Association (ISRA) supports local councils in their endeavors, providing guidance via three annual state meetings along with support money for program development. In addition, the ISRA has an on-line journal, state committee opportunities, and a state reading conference held each spring.  State officers also provide programs for local councils.  The Council Organization Committee includes members from all areas of the state to help form new local councils and to support current local councils. Opportunities abound for various awards to recognize individuals and schools for outstanding reading support.

     Consider the following programs and projects suitable for local reading councils: 

Host a Young Authors’ Conference at which students share their writing and enjoy presentations by professional authors and storytellers.

Sponsor a literacy float in a local parade and give away books.

Collect new books for Riley Hospital.

Present books to new mothers in the hospital.

Organize book talks by librarians or classroom teachers.

Host a Celebrate Literacy Night with book talks, book browsing, and the presentation of Literacy awards.

      As more and more young people discover the magic awaiting them between the covers of books, the greater the chance of making them realize that the bells and whistles of sparkling electronic gadgets pale in comparison to the excitement of READING.

     Guidance for developing a local council is supported by the ISRA State Coordinator and the Council Organization Committee.  Please contact Ann Millikan, <amillikan@webtv.net> or 1515 Country Club Dr., Kokomo, IN 46902 for more information.