Spring 2010

Dear GWRC Members and Public-at-Large,

"Change is easy, but improvement is far more difficult" is a quote that I've made a part of my personal and professional life.  How many times have you changed a habit or an old lesson only to wonder if that change really made a difference?

Sometimes the improvement can be seen as in a decision to lay off the chocolate so you can lie out in the summer.  Or it may be the shift in your teacher language that really does clarify for a student what has been oh so troubling.  The change was the easy part, but the improvement beyond that change meant dedication, reflection, and precision.

This year's VSRA Annual Conference was a change agent for many and a demonstration of improvement in professionalism by those who presented.  It is a great privilege to list the names of our GWRC members who presented at this year's conference in Virginia Beach:  Dr. Tiffany Brocious, Sally Chadbourne, Satonya Dews, Dr. Jane Haugh, Dr. Lori Riley, Beth Cipriano, Paula Assadi, and Linda Kimmel.  This is an impressive list of literacy leaders in our council area!  Now for the change agent . . . 12+ other presenters are from our council's area but are not GWRC members.  That's a real call for improvement in advertisement of our council and how it is available for all.  If you have ideas as to how we could improve our council for you or for others, please contact us at presidentgwrc@gmail.com.

Change will also come to your GWRC Executive Board and Board of Directors in the coming months.  Jackie Johnson and Patti Waters, both of Loudoun County Public Schools, will be assuming the role of president in June.  This is a good change as they will take on the role of improvement in our council in the Membership Year 2010-2011.  You will be able to contact them at presidentgwrc@gmail.com as well.

While you are a member of GWRC there is more that you can do for your council.  Why not think about and discuss with one of your Board members taking on a leadership role with GWRC?  Come on; set that change in motion for an improvement in your local VSRA council!

I look forward to serving as your president until the installation of our new officers in June.  You can reach me at presidentgwrc@gmail.com with your comments, questions, and suggestions for our council's development.  Better yet, why not attend Board meetings?  You can find the dates and locations right on our website under Membership.

Most respectfully,

Kate McLaughlin