This adult learner conference was held at the same time and place as another conference for adult education practitioners. Having the two conferences run at the same site and time allowed adult learner leaders and practitioners to get to know each other, participate in some sessions together, and see how they might work together in the future. Adult learners staffed their own table in the conference exhibition area, where they passed out flyers and told practitioners how they can support learner leadership.

When they arrived at the conference, the learners were handed a program booklet which -- in clear language -- explained the conference schedule, speakers, and other important information. Learners were able to choose from a number of workshops on leadership topics like:

• Introduction to adult learner leadership
• How to organize a local organization
• Public speaking
• How to communicate with public and private donors
• How learner leaders can help with recruitment and retention
• How to run a group discussion
• Working with the news media
• Working with a group to solve a problem
• Internet sites for learner leaders

To help them understand issues facing the literacy field, participants also went to sessions on these topics:

• Equipped for the Future
• Technology
• Assessment
• Serving underserved populations
• Workforce literacy

In one special session, the participants agreed to form a new statewide adult learner organization called "ALLOW" ("Adult Learner Leaders of Washington"). They chose ten learners to serve on an acting board for the next year. They also agreed on a set of purposes for the organization:

• To promote continuing education for adult learners.
• To give a voice to adult learners to give input into creating good programs.
• To build leadership skills among adult learners.
• To encourage learners to recognize their abilities/talents and to . . .
  . . . develop them through education and
  . . . share their strengths with others.
• To raise awareness within the state to recognize the value of adult education and adult learners.

This July conference was planned by a group of fourteen adult learners and staff of the Office of Adult Literacy. This planning group met in May and then held conference calls afterward. They used the time between May and July to both plan the conference and prepare a plan for the new statewide organization.

Two VALUE representatives attended that May planning meeting and also made presentations at the July conference. VALUE hopes to work with other states in the next year to help with conference planning and leadership workshops.

At the July conference, state adult education director Israel Mendoza expressed his support for adult learner leadership and wished ALLOW success. Office of Adult Literacy staff person, Michael Tate, pointed out that the Office of Adult Literacy had already reached out to other stakeholders like the business community and now it was time to reach out to another important stakeholder group -- adult learners.

The new ALLOW board will be meeting by conference call and in person in the coming months, to continue planning for the new organization. A Native American organization has already pledged to fund next year’s ALLOW conference.

ALLOW’s new board hopes to use the next year to expand the membership and spread the word about adult learner leadership and adult education to every program and community. As new board member, Karen Finnigan, said: "We want to be contagious."

For more information, contact Michael Tate at the Washington State Office of Adult Literacy, 1-360-586-1478.

Revised 7/24/00