Join the Encouragement Team!
Encouragement Team volunteers (ETVs) followup with families after they have received a bag of books. They make contact at regular intervals to encourage families in their literacy journey. You have a unique opportunity to play an important role in helping a family create a culture of reading for family transformation. Retired teachers, literacy advocates, authors, reading specialists, parents, and librarians should consider signing up.
ETV Purpose:
1. To encourage families in their strengths (using positive, affirming words)
2. To encourage families along their literacy journey
3. To encourage parents to be INTENTIONAL about reading in front of and with their children
4. To encourage families to upload photos and/or videos of their literacy journey
5. To share community resources about literacy, for example: Where can I get my GED? How do I get a library card? Where can I learn how to read? How can I get help for a reading disorder? When is the next book giveaway?
Specific duties and Responsibilities:
1. Call a designated number of families ( one family per volunteer is preferred)
2. Make return calls (within reason) until the family is reached
3. Able to call the assigned families using the year-long schedule
4. Use the script provided & end the call when family is ready
5. Take detailed notes of the family responses. Capture their story!
Qualifications:
1. Able to read
2. Follow directions
3. Maintain confidentiality of families
4. Able to use the Remind app and the Unite Us community resource platform.
Working Conditions:
1. Quiet & private place to make the assigned calls
ETV Purpose:
1. To encourage families in their strengths (using positive, affirming words)
2. To encourage families along their literacy journey
3. To encourage parents to be INTENTIONAL about reading in front of and with their children
4. To encourage families to upload photos and/or videos of their literacy journey
5. To share community resources about literacy, for example: Where can I get my GED? How do I get a library card? Where can I learn how to read? How can I get help for a reading disorder? When is the next book giveaway?
Specific duties and Responsibilities:
1. Call a designated number of families ( one family per volunteer is preferred)
2. Make return calls (within reason) until the family is reached
3. Able to call the assigned families using the year-long schedule
4. Use the script provided & end the call when family is ready
5. Take detailed notes of the family responses. Capture their story!
Qualifications:
1. Able to read
2. Follow directions
3. Maintain confidentiality of families
4. Able to use the Remind app and the Unite Us community resource platform.
Working Conditions:
1. Quiet & private place to make the assigned calls
Attend a training to learn more about becoming an ETV. The training is not a commitment to volunteer.
Here are some comments from attendees.
“Linda's training class, presentation and encouragement to address the need for literacy skills is an amazing opportunity. The training taught me how great of a need there is, and how I can help change the lives of families who are waiting to be encouraged in developing valuable reading skills. I am excited to be an ETV member.” --Debra
“The training inspired me to try to help reverse the frightening trends we are seeing concerning illiteracy in our area. It showed me that assisting in this effort is fairly easy and incredibly rewarding.” --Cynthia
“The training for the Metro East Literacy Project is exceptional. The director, Linda Mitchell, walks you through the challenges of literacy failure via discussion and a PowerPoint presentation that includes very helpful and impacting video clips. The presentation is thorough, professional and will motivate you to connect with this important work.”--Kathy
The Metro East Literacy Project does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.
Encouragement Team Volunteer Online Training
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Zoom link provided after registration.
Register here.
Trainings are held the fourth Saturday of each month except for November and December.