[NLA] Volunteers and credentials

[LitNetJose@aol.com]

Dear Partners:

Here is what I am reading and inferring from recent postings related to 
credentials and volunteers:

1.  People with experience may or not have credentials to do a job better 
than others.

2.  People with credentials may or may not have the knowledge and ability to 
do a job competently.

3.  Volunteers who have experience, who produce, who are effective, and who 
have no credentials are really not experienced or effective at all.  In fact, 
what they are is "nice, well-intentioned ladies"!

There are a lot of things wrong with recent postings.  Mostly, they are 
filled with convenient stereotypes and other inaccuracies.  I just pray that 
there are only a few in our field who believe them!  

There was a period, over a decade ago, when "some" of the stereotypes that 
are carelessly and irresponsibly shared on the listserve with adult educators 
and literacy professionals, occasionally had a semblance of relevance.  In 
the past fifteen years, the field, AS A WHOLE, has become more experienced 
and informed.  WE are the "experts" in the field.  All of us have been lifted 
by the initiative.  That's why it becomes harder and harder to put on 
relevant literacy and ABE conferences:  We know "this stuff" and are in need 
of new information and best practices.

I am not clear about what the service issues are in El Paso.  It has not been 
a challenge in my community to set up quality community based literacy 
organizations when the community...the volunteers or whatever you want to 
call them...have interest.  

None of the programs which I have served by technical assistance...are 
Laubach programs.  I am not even sure what that is anymore..because it is 
just a name...and, for some, an image that some love to embrace to support 
philosophy.  This "imaging" is certainly an injustice to many programs, 
Laubach, LVA, or non-affiliated, that have historically demonstrated 
successful instruction and results.  

Yes...new and established community-based literacy programs can rely upon 
volunteers, inside and outside of the community.  And, yes, they get results. 
 The reality is that the scarcity of community based literacy programs is 
felt everywhere.  The fact is, we need more of them and more investments by 
communities and community members...which means more volunteers. 

Some communities rely upon  volunteers for virtually every aspect of their 
functioning existence.  And while we could use more funds for fire 
departments, community safety, literacy and more, volunteers are delivering 
like professionals in more places than in literacy. 

There are many reasons why people volunteer.  Our society has issues and 
shortcomings...and our people are good enough to respond to these 
shortcomings, not because they need to "appease" their "moral sense"...but 
because there is a need...and filling that need is rewarding, helpful, 
changes lives, and affects generations.  

We need FEWER perspectives that assign limitations to what is humanly and 
humanely possible.

More about credentials/assumed credentials, intellectualism, and the NLA 
listserve:

Just because you have access to the NLA list serve and make 
submissions...does not mean you are qualified for anything.  It just means 
you have access and make submissions.

Let's get real, again, huh?  We have work to do.  The divisiveness is just 
killing me.  Those who have been paying attention know, and might even 
acknowledge that the second-class status given to community-based 
organizations has already backfired on the field.  Our numbers are down...and 
it is not because there are fewer programs...but partially because the 
service cultures are clashing unnecessarily.  

How can we advance the field and affect policy while lopping off our own arms 
and legs?  

We will surely bleed to death by carving our initials into our own hearts.  

The NLA brings very experienced and well-meaning people together.  ALL OF 
THEM ARE VOLUNTEERS.  The discussions here have unfortunately deteriorated to 
smoldering ashes.  The people who initiated it and who committed good sense 
to it deserve much better.  
 
Jose


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