The Association of Adult Literacy Professional Developers (AALPD) is a
national organization for professional developers with leadership
committed to advancing the field of adult literacy professional
development (http://www.aalpd.org/). Anyone interested in adult literacy
professional development can join. As an affiliate of 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.

It is time for this year's annual membership drive. Each year, people
are invited to join or renew membership with AALPD: (it is for free)
http://www.aalpd.org/membership_form_withvoting.cfm 

Why should you join or renew membership?
Your support strengthens efforts in advocating for funding for
professional development, as well as in identifying professional
development needs and addressing those needs of its members.  AALPD
hosts an annual PreConference at COABE; AALPD co-sponsors the Adult
Literacy Professional Development discussion list in partnership with
the National Institute for Literacy and hosts formal discussion
activities targeted to address the needs identified by subscribers. It
provides a Professional Development Registry of materials to which you
can find and contribute facilitator materials; and AALPD seeks to
expand
professional development opportunities for members in additional
national venues.

Vote While You Join or Renew Membership
While you are joining or renewing membership, you have the opportunity
to vote on the 2007 slate of AALPD officers (Chair, Vice-Chair and
Secretary-Treasurer).

What Does the Future Hold?
The field needs to offer a better, brighter future for teacher
professional development in adult literacy. To achieve this end, AALPD
is engaged in concerted, collaborative efforts to advance the field of
adult literacy professional development in several key areas. One goal
is the adoption of the AALPD PD Policy Recommendations at national,
state, and local levels that support the participation of practitioners
in professional development to help them be effective teachers, tutors,
counselors, and administrators. We advocate for more funding for
professional development, so that these recommendations can be fully
implemented in programs and states.

Many believe the future holds promise for programs and states that
specifically improve working conditions which support teachers in their
professional growth and learning, and which would further the
profession. As an organization for professional developers, AALPD could
increase efforts in areas that advance the quality of our work and
profession in new ways. We should all expect AALPD to take leadership
in
new and exciting areas for 2007, and provide opportunities for greater
membership involvement. It all begins by joining AALPD.

AALPD Membership Benefits: 

* Membership is 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 the COABE pre-conference
session
next year (2008 in St. Louis). 
* You can choose to participate at various levels of involvement to
further key priorities identified by our members. 
* You can help to strengthen AALPD's voice in advocacy by
demonstrating
a strong membership of concerned practitioners committed to
professional
development.

To stay abreast of AALPD activities, visit: http://www.aalpd.org/  

For the AALPD Executive Board,

Jackie Taylor, Adult Literacy Professional Development List Moderator,
jataylor at utk.edu 
Association of Adult Literacy Professional Developers
http://www.aalpd.org/