Posted on behalf of Jackie Taylor.

Dear Colleague:
Are you interested in getting more involved with adult literacy professional
development? If so, then I hope you will join or renew membership with the
Association of Adult Literacy Professional Developers (AALPD) for 2006:
http://www.aalpd.org/membership_form.cfm

While you are joining or renewing membership this month, you will also have
the opportunity to:

1) Vote on this year's slate of officers (by January 31)
2) Vote on the top 6 priorities for AALPD (by January 31)

Membership with AALPD is *free*. If you'd like more information about joining
AALPD, then please see below. Thanks! Jackie Taylor, List Moderator, Adult
Literacy Professional Development, jataylor at utk.edu
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Why should you join or renew your membership?

Renewing Membership:

As we grow and expand, we need updated information about our members in order
to advocate effectively for professional development and provide members with
the best possible services. So, we are asking everyone to renew their
memberships by registering as an AALPD member in January of each year.

***Please take a moment to update your membership information and *vote* for
this year's slate of officers and the top 6 AALPD priorities by visiting:
http://www.aalpd.org/membership_form.cfm

New Membership/Prospective Members:

If you are not yet a member, are you interested in:
- getting more involved with adult literacy professional development?
- contributing your voice along with other advocates of adult literacy PD?
- taking part in establishing (in the eyes of policy makers) the legitimacy of
a national association of practitioners committed to adult literacy
professional development?

We invite you to become a formal member of the Association of Adult Literacy
Professional Developers (AALPD). Membership in AALPD is *free* and open to
adult educators interested or working in professional development in adult
literacy. Individuals join AALPD by completing and submitting the Membership
Form:
http://www.aalpd.org/membership_form.cfm
=============================================================

Vote While You Join or Renew Membership

1) **Members Vote for Slate of Officers by January 31st**
On the membership page, you can also VOTE for the current slate of nominated
AALPD officers (Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary-Treasurer).
http://www.aalpd.org/membership_form.cfm

2) **Vote on the Top 6 Priorities for AALPD**
This year, the AALPD Executive Board is identifying top priorities for AALPD.
Ideas for AALPD activities were gathered both from individuals in the field
and by the board. Update your membership at:
http://www.aalpd.org/membership_form.cfm and scroll to the bottom of the page
to vote on the top 6 AALPD priorities.
=============================================================

Why should you become a member of AALPD?

* It's free!
* You can vote for AALPD officers and on special issues that arise (Only AALPD
members will be eligible to vote).
* We will send you the latest information about upcoming trainings, events and
resources.
* You can have input into the design of next year's COABE pre-conference
session.
* You can contribute your voice to our advocacy efforts.
* You can help to establish AALPD's legitimacy in the eyes of policy makers by
demonstrating a strong membership of concerned practitioners committed to
professional development.

Thank you for joining or renewing your membership with AALPD. We're glad to
have you on board!

On behalf of the AALPD Executive Board,

Jackie Taylor
Adult Literacy Professional Development List Moderator
jataylor at utk.edu
=====================================================================
The Association of Adult Literacy Professional Developers (AALPD) is a
national group for professional developers in adult literacy. As a special
interest group within COABE (Commission on Adult Basic Education), AALPD meets
at COABE Conferences and other professional development events. AALPD is a
member of the National Coalition for Literacy.
=====================================================================



Aaron Kohring
Coordinator, LINCS Literacy & Learning Disabilities Special Collection 
(http://ldlink.coe.utk.edu/)
Moderator, National Institute for Literacy's Content Standards Discussion 
List (http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/Contentstandards)
Coordinator, Equipped for the Future Websites (http://eff.cls.utk.edu/)

Center for Literacy Studies, University of Tennessee
EFF Center for Training and Technical Assistance
Phone:(865) 974-4109 main
           (865) 974-4258 direct
Fax:   (865) 974-3857
e-mail: akohring at utk.edu