News
Strong Governance = Strong Organization
During this presentation you will gain a greater understanding of the requirements of a Nonprofit Organization. We will cover Oklahoma and federal requirements, the duties of your board, and the importance of strong governance.
Don't miss this training if you:
A) sit on a board or
B) are part of an organization that has a board.
November 14, 2024, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Presented by Jeri Holmes, Esq., President and Founder of Nonprofit Solutions Law, P.C.
Attendees will receive a copy of the presentation.
We will not be recording.
Computer Essentials
Essential Education has blessed us with “seats” to Computer Essentials. All OLC members are eligible for the seats-for free! This is a very versatile program. It can be assigned to any digital learner to be used independently at home or during class, or you can assign specific lessons for the whole class to work on together. The digital learner does not have to be enrolled in another literacy class. Think tutors, teachers, or new staff… It would be wonderful for a learner and their tutor to go through it together! Once assigned, the learner takes an assessment. The program skips over what they already know. The lessons can be repeated as necessary. Let me know if you are interested!
Creek County Literacy Program’s New Executive Director
Creek County Literacy Program in Sapulpa, announces the appointment of Debra Chandler as its new Executive Director, effective April 1, 2024. Debra brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to literacy and community development to her new role.
Debra Chandler joins Creek County Literacy Program with a strong background in education, library services, and community engagement. Most recently, she served as the Assistant Librarian at Sapulpa Public Library, where she played a pivotal role in promoting literacy initiatives and fostering a love for reading among patrons. Her dedication to promoting literacy extends beyond the library, as she has also served as a substitute teacher in Sapulpa Public Schools and has been actively involved in various educational and literary organizations.
“I am honored to join Creek County Literacy Program and continue the vital work of promoting literacy and empowering individuals in our community,” said Debra Chandler. “I am passionate about providing access to education and resources that can transform lives, and I look forward to collaborating with our dedicated team and community partners to advance our mission.”
Debra Chandler holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Oklahoma City University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Rogers State University, with a minor in TV and Radio Broadcasting. Her extensive educational background and her experience in creative writing and literary studies uniquely position her to lead Creek County Literacy Program into its next chapter of growth and impact.
“We are thrilled to welcome Debra Chandler as our new Executive Director,” said Greg Pugmire, Board Chair of Creek County Literacy Program. “Her passion for literacy, expertise, and dedication makes her the ideal leader to guide our organization. We are confident that under her leadership, Creek County Literacy Program will continue to thrive and make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families in our community.”
Debra Chandler succeeds Melissa Struttmann, who has served as Executive Director of Creek County Literacy Program since 2013 and has held the positions of President and Treasurer for the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. The board expresses its deepest gratitude to Melissa for her years of dedicated service and wishes her all the best in her future endeavors.
Read Across Oklahoma 2024
Bourbon on the Roof-July 27, 2023
Creek County Literacy Program
About the Organization
Creek County Literacy Program (CCLP) began in 1989 with the mission to provide Adult Literacy services in Creek County. We began in a small room in the basement of the library. Around 2007, our building was erected through funding by Friends of the Library and the Bartlett Foundation. The City owns and maintains our 5,000 square foot building and our stipulation is we are to only provide literacy related outreaches here.
CCLP now provides Adult Literacy, Youth Literacy and Health Literacy Outreaches. We do offer Computer/Technology Literacy help on a one-on-one basis, but we no longer provide workshops. Under the Youth Literacy umbrella is our Caring Grands Reading Program. Tutors work with the same child weekly, first and second grade struggling readers, to help increase their sight word recognition. The child is gifted a book each week to build a personal home library.
We have had three executive directors. One was here a few years. The current Executive Director Melissa Struttmann replaced Barbara Belk, who retired after 19 years of service. Melissa was hired in January 2013.
CCLP is governed by a board of directors comprised of about 15 local volunteers. They meet monthly, breaking in June and July.
CCLP has one major fundraiser, the Spelling Bee, which has been converted to a “non-event” fundraiser for two years to skirt large gatherings. They will resume holding it in person in 2024. Please click this link to see more information about this year’s Spelling Bee and consider donating–while not attending.
CCLP has been a Tulsa Area United Way Agency since 1991.
Registration numbers have decreased since Covid and have been slow to resume. Our 2022 numbers:
- 15 adult students
- 55 youth students
- 66 Caring Grand Volunteers
- 163 Caring Grand students and
- 633 health literacy attendees
Last month, CCLP hosted the Symposium: Focusing on Adult Learners in partnership with Oklahoma Literacy Coalition.
About the Executive Director
Melissa Struttmann came to CCLP after a position with the American Diabetes Association where she managed the Step Out fundraising event and was responsible for a $190k fundraising goal. Before that, she was the Director of Member Services with the Jenks Chamber of Commerce. Before that, she had a home-based community magazine called the Jenks Express. It was direct mailed to 8,000 homes and businesses each month. It was 40 pages, Melissa wrote the articles, sold the ad space and did the layout. And affixed the 8,000 labels each month (with a little child labor help). She had been a Stay-At-Home-Mom to six kids, one profoundly disabled, about 18 years. Melissa had always been a part of fundraising events in her church and volunteered by doing weekly bulletins and newsletters.
Melissa is the Treasurer for Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. We are very glad to have her and her experience.
Read Across Oklahoma 2023
Hats Off to Reading
The 2023 celebration of reading and early literacy will take place at the Oklahoma City Zoo on April 11, 2023. The theme, Hats Off to Reading is inspired by the book, That is a Hat by Tulsa author Betty Selakovich Casey.
All Oklahoma schools are invited to participate in Read Across Oklahoma virtually, and a limited number of kindergarten classes will be invited as special guests to the live event. As special guests, classes will receive paid admission to the zoo where children will participate in a variety of activity stations, hear the author read her book, and visit the animal exhibits.
Additionally, each child will receive a copy of That is a Hat prior to the event so they are familiar with the story. All this is made possible thanks to the generosity of many private and public sponsors.
Celebrating Our Journey, Volume 13
A collection of life stories written by Oklahoma adult learners
Another opportunity to showcase Oklahoma learners and provide evidence of the impact of literacy programs!
The Office of Literacy Development is pleased to announce the 2023 publication of Volume 13 of Celebrating Our Journey. This hugely successful series will again showcase the thoughts and writings of Oklahoma adult learners.
This writing project will help improve reading, writing and critical thinking skills of learners and show your community the positive impact of the literacy program. Adult learners and their tutors/teachers are encouraged to work together in writing, typing, editing, and submitting the story.
All active learners from your program regardless of reading or writing level are invited to participate.
Here are the details:
The 2023 publication will feature four topic options:
(1) Goals
(2) Advice
(3) Looking Forward
(4) Poetry
(5) Instructors
1. Each learner is invited to submit one original story.
2. Stories should be titled and limited to 300 words.
3. Tutors, instructors and/or a program representative should review the submitted stories to assist the learners with correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.
4. Typed stories in Word format should be emailed to rebecca.barker@libraries.ok.gov
5. A release form signed by the learner should be maintained in the local program files.
6. Photographs of the authors may be included in the book if they are high resolution, quality photos
7. Stories and photos must be submitted by May 30, 2023.
8. The books will be ready for distribution in the fall. Each author will receive two books and their tutor will receive a copy.
Don’t miss the opportunity to include stories by learners from your program in the 2023 publication.
See the following sections for suggestions and additional information.
Questions? Email rebecca.barker@libraries.ok.gov or call 522-3205 or 800-522-8116.
Celebrating Our Journey, Volume 13
A collection of life stories written by Oklahoma adult learners
Talk with learners about the topics that will be featured in the book. If they need direction, they might use a story starter.
Goals
Learners are often inspired when asked to tell about their goals in life.
Possible Story Starters:
- If I could do one thing….
- I’ve always wanted to ….
Advice
Encourage learners to talk about advice from someone they admire.
Possible Story Starters
- I will always remember the advice…
- The best advice I’ve ever been given…
Looking Forward
Recovering from the impact of COVID 19, learners may describe the future after this challenging time.
Possible Story starter
- After a difficult season, I’m looking forward to…
Poetry
Many learners enjoy expressing themselves with poetry. Increased vocabulary and grammar skills are the result as they speak for themselves through poetry. There are some great suggestions at https://tinyurl.com/ffebswyk
Each author and tutor will receive a free copy of Celebrating Our Journey. Each program will receive copies to present to funders, media, legislators, etc.
Mark the May 30 deadline on your calendar. Share this project with tutors and learners. Encourage participation. Help make Volume 13 the best yet!
This project is possible thanks to funding from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
_______________________________________________________________
Celebrating Our Journey, Volume 13
Release Form
I give permission to the Oklahoma Department of Libraries and the Institute of Museum and Library Services to use my story and photograph (if applicable) in literacy and library publications, websites, reports, and literacy awareness activities. I understand that I will not receive payment.
_______________________________________________________________
Signature
_______________________________________________________________
Print Name
_______________________________________________________________
Literacy/Education Program
To Program Representative:
Submit only stories which have a signed released form. Maintain release forms in your program files.
Creek County Literacy Program Offers Free Tutor Training Workshop to Adult Volunteers
Help Teach An Adult to Read. Become a Volunteer Literacy Tutor.
(SAPULPA, OK – October 6, 2022) Adult literacy volunteers are needed to help Creek County area adults improve reading, writing and basic math skills.
- Twenty percent of adults in Creek County 18 to 24 years old do not have a high school diploma.
- Ten percent of adults in Creek County 25 years of age and older do not have a high school diploma.
- Twelve percent of Oklahoma adults – more than 400,000 – are functionally illiterate.
Creek County Literacy Program is a non-profit organization that trains adults to become volunteer literacy tutors, and then matches those tutors with adult learners. To become a tutor, individuals must attend Creek County Literacy Program’s free one-day Tutor Training workshop. Knowledge of another language is not necessary and no prior teaching experience is required. This workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, October 26 from 9am to 4pm at Creek County Literacy Program, 15 North Poplar Street in Sapulpa. Lunch is provided.
Presenter Joanie Mullins earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Elementary Education with an emphasis on Curriculum and Instruction from Oklahoma State University. She retired from Sapulpa Public Schools after 34 years of teaching in grades K-3. Her last 5 years of teaching were in the Title I Reading and Math program where she worked with small groups of students in grades K-5 who needed more instruction in Reading and/or Math. She has been a Caring Grand volunteer for 4 years.
For more information or to register for this free workshop, please call 918-224-9647.
About Creek County Literacy Program
For 32 years CCLP has worked to improve the quality of life in our community by promoting and achieving literacy. One in five adults 18-24 years old in our county do not have a high school diploma. One in ten adults 25 years of age and older in our county do not have a high school diploma. Forty-one percent of students kindergarten through third grade in our county receive reading remediation. Through extensive outreach and collaboration with a network of community partners, CCLP strives to ensure that individuals who need to improve their literacy skills receive the help they need. CCLP’s Mission is to help every child and adult in Creek County to read through tutoring, technology and health literacy outreaches. CCLP’s Vision is for every child and adult in Creek County to read proficiently.
Creek County Literacy Program Offers Free Tutor Training Workshop to Adult Volunteers
Help Teach An Adult to Read. Become a Volunteer Literacy Tutor.
(SAPULPA, OK – October 6, 2022) Adult literacy volunteers are needed to help Creek County area adults improve reading, writing and basic math skills.
- Twenty percent of adults in Creek County 18 to 24 years old do not have a high school diploma.
- Ten percent of adults in Creek County 25 years of age and older do not have a high school diploma.
- Twelve percent of Oklahoma adults – more than 400,000 – are functionally illiterate.
Creek County Literacy Program is a non-profit organization that trains adults to become volunteer literacy tutors, and then matches those tutors with adult learners. To become a tutor, individuals must attend Creek County Literacy Program’s free one-day Tutor Training workshop. Knowledge of another language is not necessary and no prior teaching experience is required. This workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, October 26 from 9am to 4pm at Creek County Literacy Program, 15 North Poplar Street in Sapulpa. Lunch is provided.
Presenter Joanie Mullins earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Elementary Education with an emphasis on Curriculum and Instruction from Oklahoma State University. She retired from Sapulpa Public Schools after 34 years of teaching in grades K-3. Her last 5 years of teaching were in the Title I Reading and Math program where she worked with small groups of students in grades K-5 who needed more instruction in Reading and/or Math. She has been a Caring Grand volunteer for 4 years.
For more information or to register for this free workshop, please call 918-224-9647.
About Creek County Literacy Program
For 32 years CCLP has worked to improve the quality of life in our community by promoting and achieving literacy. One in five adults 18-24 years old in our county do not have a high school diploma. One in ten adults 25 years of age and older in our county do not have a high school diploma. Forty-one percent of students kindergarten through third grade in our county receive reading remediation. Through extensive outreach and collaboration with a network of community partners, CCLP strives to ensure that individuals who need to improve their literacy skills receive the help they need. CCLP’s Mission is to help every child and adult in Creek County to read through tutoring, technology and health literacy outreaches. CCLP’s Vision is for every child and adult in Creek County to read proficiently.
Tutor Training in OKC
