"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead, anthropologist.
SUGGESTED ACTION
1. Form your lead group
- Aim to have about six to eight people in your group who represent the diversity and breadth of your community. Think about gender, age, cultural background, skills, and networks. Also think about different sectors like business, education, healthcare, employment, local government, community organisations, charity groups, sporting clubs and others.
- Ideally, seek people who are able to make a commitment for at least two years.
- See yourselves as coordinators and catalysts for action within the community. Don’t try and do everything by yourselves. Make it easy for others to be involved.
- Be hopeful, optimistic and enthusiastic, and foster a sense of urgency to help build momentum.
- Bring in guest speakers to inspire the group and to suggest ideas.
- Be prepared for when people in your lead group need to leave, for example, because they are moving out of town. Have a simple succession plan in place to help make the changeover to a new person happen smoothly.
- Know that you don’t need to start from scratch. 26TEN can link you into existing support and resources. Freecall 1300 00 2610 or email@26ten.tas.gov.au.
Tools to help:
2. Build good foundations for your group's work
- Be committed to working in partnership with each other. Agree on principles for working together and for making good decisions.
- Be upfront about the likely ups and downs ahead. Build in time and opportunities to relax and get to know each other, such as over a meal. Getting together like this can help everyone enjoy the good times and keep going through the hard times.
- Recognise that it takes time to build a common language among people with different backgrounds and experiences. Appreciate the shared motivation behind each group member’s different efforts.
- Make your meetings productive and enjoyable. See them as a way to create opportunities and solve problems together, and to learn from each other.
Tools to help:
3. Build a good understanding of literacy among group members
- Tap into the larger 26TEN network for information and insights. Sign your lead group up as a 26TEN member organisation. Encourage other partner organisations in your community to become members too.
- Know the different types of literacy support people need, such as one-on-one tutoring, group sessions and structured courses.
- Learn more about literacy by reading these documents:
– the 26TEN Annual Report and the Tasmanian Adult Literacy Action Plan (TALAP) are available at www.26ten.tas.gov.au.
– Tasmanian Voices, a report on what motivates people to develop literacy and other skills is available from the Publications section at tascoss.org.au.
– the Australian Core Skills Framework is available from the Skills section at www.industry.gov.au.
– find background literature and other research used to inform Circular Head literacy planning at www.circularhead.tas.gov.au - Get to know what literacy support is available in your area. A list of 26TEN Literacy Support Programs and Services is available on the 26TEN website.
- Take part in a 26TEN Literacy Awareness workshop which covers the extent of the issue in Tasmania, the impact of low levels of literacy, and what can done to help. (See Step 3 for more information).