[NLA] NIFL Direction

[George E. Demetrion]

Colleagues:

I haven't given this a lot of thought, but a very logical trajectory for
NIFL would be an organizational focus around the Priority and Outcome
areas of From the Margins to the Mainstream:  An Action Agenda for
Literacy.

That would build on past work while also organizing for the future. 
Given the hard work of the Agenda as well as the many groups and agencies
that have supported the Literacy Summit, a focused attention on the 15
Outcome statements would be an excellent utilization of NIFL resources. 
Because this direction has already been established and supported by a
wide array of constituents, it would seem to me to represent a perfectly
sensible vehicle for the structuring of NIFL's work for the next decade. 
Any of the specific projects, whether LD, EFF or whatever else, might be
viewed in terms of their potential contribution to this broader field
established direction.

Moreover, like the Constitution, for example, An Action Agenda for
Literacy could serve as a baseline of legitimacy particularly against
competing tendencies to pull the agency in other, less desirable
directions.

A firm foundation has been lain for a consensus-like document that now
more than ever might serve as a rallying cry for the field's direction.
Articulating the purpose of NIFL along the lines of fulfilling the
direction set out could serve a multitude of viable purposes.

On a related note, I echo Catherine King's call to have someone of Jack
Mezirow's caliber nominated to the NIFL Board.  If not Mezirow, Mezirow's
colleague, Stephen Brookfeld would fit the bill nicely.  Both Mezirow and
Brookfield taught in the Department of Adult Education at Columbia
Teaching College in NYC  for quite a number of years. Currently
Brookfield teaches at the University of St. Thomas, Minneapolis, MN. 

 In addition to their books, Mezirow and Brookfield have written a number
of superb articles for the Adult Education Quarterly and they are among
the very top adult educators in the Anglo-American world.  The NIFL Board
would be well served by either person.

George Demetrion
Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford
Sophocles5 at juno.com

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