2015-2016

TLE Annual Activity Report

PREPARED BY DARLENE BROWN, TLE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

TLEliteracy.com
TLEliteracy@yahoo.ca
@TheLearningExchange1
450-688-2933 ext. 3126

THE LEARNING EXCHANGE

BOARD of DIRECTORS
President: Mona Arsenault
Vice-President: Lazar Jevremovic
Secretary: Christiane Dabbagh
Treasurer: Valerie Sauriol
Director: Enza Ciampanelli

STAFF

VISION

Executive Director: Darlene Brown

Administrative Assistant: Karen Mockler
Financial Officer: Diane Richard

We envision a Quebec where everyone has

the literacy s kills they n eed to live a fully
engaged life.

PROJECT CONSULTANTS

MISSION

Tabatha Brown
Ann Gauvin
Margo Legault

WEBSITES
Darlene Brown
Shanice Carlisle

TUTOR TRAINER

Darlene Brown

WORKSHOP FACILITATORS
Mona Arsenault
Darlene Brown
Ann Gauvin
Vidya Harracksingh

MANDATE

CORE VALUES

We at TLE believe literacy is a basic human right
and are guided by t he following core values:

Innovation t o programs and services
Dedication
Commitment to Life-long Learning
Dignity

The Learning Exchange (TLE)/Centre Lire-

crire is a volunteer n ot-for-profit
organization d edicated to providing:
Adult Literacy and Tutoring: One-on-one
and small group instruction to adults in
need
Volunteer/Tutor Training
Public Awareness and S ensitization
Volunteer/Student Recruitment
Community Resource and Learning
Centre
Volunteer/Student Outreach and
Retention
Prevention a nd Intervention

The Learning Exchange (TLE)/Centre Lire-

crire is a volunteer n ot-for-profit
organization d edicated to addressing the
needs of the Laval & Northshore English
speaking community. TLE s erves, recruits,
trains, and supports members of the
community through reading, writing,
numeracy, and life-skills programs.

Building a stronger community

MESSAGE from the

PRESIDENT

The 2015-2016 season was very active and fun-filled! We all worked
extremely well as a team! Thank you to all! Id like to mention a few
highlights of the past year:

A PACTE application was presented and accepted.
I am, and continue to be, the TLE representative for the
CDC-Vimont Governing Board for Adult Education, acting as
community member, in the elected position of Chair of the
Governing Board.
As President, I attend several meetings and events throughout the year
such as the Laval Networking Partnership Initiative and Literacy Quebecs
Anniversary event. In November, AGAPE asked me to participate in a
future Health and Social Services project for the English community.
Last year, TLE worked on the ME to WE campaign along with CDC-Vimont
and a fabulous group of students on ME to WE campaigns such as WE
Create Change and the Zinc Saves Lives program by saving used batteries
Twice in January I visited an English class to talk about my published story.
I showed videos on the Polio vaccination and discussed how we have
eliminated Polio around the world by 99%.
Mona Arsenault | President Darlene Brown | Executive Director
In April, Many TLE students attended Library at Night, a virtual reality
show at Bibliotheque et Archives Nationales.
June welcomed a visit to the Cosmodome, an activity with 15 participants and a Board of Directors dinner to celebrate
another successful year.

Finally, on behalf of the Board of Directors, our sincerest thanks to our staff. I am grateful to have Karen Mockler, our
Administrative Assistant, to keep the office running smoothly as well as heading the Social Committee with TLE students, Diane
Richard, our Financial Officer, who diligently keeps our financial records in order and Executive Director, Darlene Brown, for all of
her hard work and persistent attention to details. The overall success of the year and the independence and autonomy
demonstrated by all the learners is truly remarkable! Congratulations everyone!

Mona Arsenault
TLE President

As Executive Director of The Learning Exchange, I am pleased
to report TLEs impact on the Laval and North Shore community
continues to grow. We strive to reach more of the English-
speaking population through improved access to quality
services and tutoring opportunities. We continue to use
technology and social media to further our outreach. Today,
technology helps us to expand our reach and share with individuals and other organizations across Quebec and the World Wide
Web. Our projects and additional funding have enabled us to develop new resources and programs to reach this cyber community.
I am proud to say TLE website resources have been accessed in over 59 countries world wide! TLE reached and engaged members
of the community through innovative literacy instruction, ultimately impacting literacy skills of individuals.

I would like to extend a sincere thank-you to our partners and colleagues who worked with us throughout the year, helping us
further the cause of literacy. As well, it has been a privilege to work with such dedicated staff, volunteers and students! Thank
you all for your continued support!

MESSAGE from the

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Darlene Brown
TLE Executive Director

TLE PRIORITIES 2015-2020

TLEs STRATEGIC PLAN
Sustainability: Strengthening TLE
Goals:

Raise awareness and understanding of literacy services

Expand partnerships and strengthen connections
Develop and maintain solid infrastructure
Increase overall membership

Services: Provision of Services

Goals:

Develop and improve services & programs

Improve access and intake procedures
Provide quality training and professional development
Be responsive to the membership and community: Implement new services and programs based on
needs

Effectiveness: Member outreach, support and recognition

Goals:

The Learning Exchange has established the following

objectives and priorities:

Provide members with networking opportunities

Provide students with the necessary tools and skills to function successfully in everyday life
Ensure members are engaged and have a positive experience

Promote the recognition of TLE and its m ission,

within t he community
Develop and strengthen TLEs overall infrastructure
Expand partnerships and strengthen connections
Raise awareness and understanding of literacy
services available through TLE
Increase overall membership and community
outreach
Develop and improve services & programs
Provide quality training and professional
development
Be responsive t o t he membership and community
Provide members with networking opportunities
Provide students with t he necessary t ools and skills
to function successfully in e veryday life
Ensure members are e ngaged and have a positive
experience
Increase funding opportunities

WORKSHOPS &

TRAINING

WORKSHOPS/TRAINING

# participants

Oct. 8/15 | a.m. | 2 hours

Free the Children workshop | with Tristan Jones

72

DISTRIBUTED:

Oct. 8/15 | p.m. | 2 hours

We School workshop | with Tristan Jones

75 Health passports
100 Health bookmarks
125 Federal Election info resources
2 Simon Rose e-books
37 signed copies of Simon Roses books

19

Oct. 12/15 2.5 hours

Voting in a Federal Election | with 2 guest

volunteer presenters from Federal Election offices

26

Oct. 14/15 | 3 hours

Essential Skills Oral Communication Workshop

46

Nov. 26-28/15 | 2.5 days

TLE Strategic Planning Workshops

CREATED:

6 Adobe Voice videos

3 Adobe Slate videos

Dec. 10/15, Apr. 20, 27/16, May 31/16 | 3 hours each

Tutor Training | Basic Orientation

5
17

Jan. 19/16 | 2 hours

Health and Polio Vaccinations

Individuals
Reached

April 11, 12-14, 20,21/16 | 6 sessions x 2 hours

Adult Learners Essential Skills Workshops

104

May 11/16 | 2 sessions + video conference (VC) x 1.5 hours

TD Canadian Childrens Book Week Author visit |

with author Simon Rose

97
Lachute via VC: 17

May to June 15/16 | Mon. and Wed. | 11 sessions x 2 hours

Basic English Conversation Courses: Beginner

476
people

12

May to June 15/16 | Mon. and Wed. | 10 sessions x 2 hours

Basic English Conversation Courses: Inter. to Adv.

May to June /16 | 3 sessions x 2 hours

Agape Health Passports & Info. on Health issues

100

TOTAL # of unique participants

STUDEN TS

TUT ORS

V OLUNT EERS

476

TARGETED POPULATION:

T EACH ERS

CO MM UNI TY

BO ARD OF D IRE CTOR S

TLE ST AFF

RESULTS & IMPACT | October 2015 June 2016

Quality and relevant English workshops and t raining available in community w ith engaged participants
Renewal/MEESR initiatives incorporated into training and workshops
Increased training and learning opportunities for everyday life learning
Cohesive team | Increased opportunities for volunteers, Board of Directors, staff and consultants

Improved literacy in community

EVENTS

DISTRIBUTED:

TLE SOCIAL EVENTS
# reached/#participants
Books

Sept. 2015 to June 2016

Kobo Book Club
45
Poppies
Oct. 14/15

Thanksgiving
P
izza
P
arty

47

Postcards for Peace written and delivered to
Dec. 2015

Birthday Halloween Bash
10
Veterans at Veterans Hospital

Dec. 2015

TLE Holiday Party
35
TLE promotional materials
Monas
H
oliday
E
vent
10

April 13/16

Holiday gifts raffled
Volunteer Appreciation Coffee
32

June 20/16
x $50 student a wards

Spring Pizza Party & Outdoor Races
14
June 28/16

for students p rizes
TLE Celebration Event
45

RECOGNITION EVENTS


recognition certificates
May 2016

3
Authors Lunch

June 2016
volunteer thank-you gifts/cards

PGI Learner Award $50
1
June 2016

RECIEVED:
1
TLE Learner Award $50

June 2016

of batteries
8
Board of Directors dinner

COMMUNITY EVENTS


of n ew and u sed book donations
Sept. 23/15 | TLE representation

2
Literacy Quebec Anniversary Event
June 2016 | Event Prizes & Books

150
Annual CDC Vimont BBQ

Aug. 2016 to June 2016

N/A
Book Collection & Donation Drive

Feb. 2016 to June 2016

933
Zinc Saves Lives Awareness Campaign

PROMOTIONAL EVENTS


Aug. 29/15, Oct. 13/15, April 11,13/16
625
TLE information and Book Give-Aways

Oct. 2015 to Nov. 2015
100

Remembrance Day/Week Events
25
Vets

March 2016 | Website Promo

CDC Vimont Staff Meeting

72
NPI meeting



TOTAL # of unique participants
1007



Individuals
reached:
RESULTS & IMPACT | August 2015 June 2016

657
100
25

325
35
2
$100
8
25

100s
100s

Heightened visibility of TLEs services and programs

Engaged members
Memorable experience at TLE

STUDEN TS

TUT ORS

V OLUNT EERS

1007

TARGETED POPULATION:

T EACH ERS

CO MM UNI TY

BO ARD OF D IRE CTOR S

VETERA NS
5
5

FAMILY LITERACY

FAMILY LITERACY PROMOTIONAL EVENTS

#
PARTICIPANTS

July 7/15

Books for children at Sunshine Reading Camp

20

Aug. 29/15 | All day

Open to general
public

NDG Art Walk with Carol Ann Hoytt

100

Sept. 30/15 | Grade 1

Books for children at Laurentian Elementary

School for Interactive Story Time

21

Oct. 13/15 | 4 hours

Cat in the Hat Dr. Seuss Event at Indigo Laval

150

Jan. 2016 to June 2016

TLE Scholastic Book Events

389

Jan. 28/16 | 4 hours

FLD Information Session

45

TOTAL # of unique participants

DISTRIBUTED:

FAMILY LITERACY EVENTS

March 22/16 | 3 hours | Souvenir Elementary School K-3
Cat in the Hat Story Visits/Class Readings

725

#
PARTICIPANTS

March 29/16 | 3 hours | Twin Oaks Elementary School K-3

Cat in the Hat Story Visits/Class Readings

656 Childrens books

5 Writing Kits
6 Novels
526 Writing Kit info cards
625 TLE promotional cards
REGISTRATION:

1 Registration for HSBC Family

Literacy First program

288
223

June 7/16 | 1 evening

Cat in the Hat Story Time PJ Event

Make a Writing Kit Sessions

TOTAL # of unique participants

64
42

552

Reached

1,277
people

RESULTS & IMPACT | August 2015 June 2016

Improved information for community about family literacy initiatives, activities, e vents, ideas and
resources
Heightened visibility of TLEs family literacy services and increased support for parents/families
Quality family literacy events/activities in community
Provided schools and community organization information, English resources and support for
Family Literacy and Family Literacy Day initiatives via social media, materials, and resources

S C HO OL S

C H IL DR E N

P A R E NT S

TARGETED POPULATION:

F A MIL I E S

G E N E R AL P U BL I C

E D UC AT O R S

C OM M UN I T Y

6
6

STUDENT OUTINGS, COURSES, & TUTORING

STUDENT OUTINGS:

Sept. 26/15, Oct. 31/15, Nov. 21/15, Jan. 26/16

Library trips | 17 participants

Nov. 9-11/15

Student trip to Ottawa | 3 students & 1 teacher/ED

We Day Committee members
Ottawa Remembrance Day Services
Nov. 10/15

We Day Ottawa/ Canadian Tire Centre | 6 participants

Feb. 20/16, Apr. 2/16

Library at Night Event | 8 participants

Feb. 22, 23/16

We Day Montreal/ St. Denis Theatre | 47 participants

Feb 28/16

Job Fair | 6 participants

March 16/16

Student Job Fair @ College Montmorency |14 students, 2 volunteers & 1 teacher
April 2016

Individuals
reached

426

Mini Golf | 3 students & 1 volunteer

Jan.-July 2016 | 7 outings

Movie Outings | 26 participants

May 28/16

Cosmodome Trip | 15 participants

TUTORING:

From September through June, trained volunteer tutors work one-on-one or in small groups with adult students
at The Learning Exchange Centre, CDC Vimont classes, a home, in public libraries or community centers. All
volunteer tutors are interviewed, screened, trained and matched with one or more adult literacy students.
Students are interviewed and matched with a suitable tutor and matches are adjusted as needed. Volunteer
tutors do preparatory work for each tutorial. Tutors and students are offered ongoing support from the staff of
TLE re: matches, resources, training, computer use, general resources and progress.

TARGETED POPULATION:

ST UD E NT S 1 6 Y E AR S + AN D T H EI R T UT O R S A ND / O R T E A C H ER S

PERSONALIZED COURSES:

P r e - w r i tin g
Re a d- al ou d- a ve n ge r s r e a di ng
Tu tor i de a s 2 0 1 5
T V co ur se
T abl e t le s so n s
Ge o m e tr y 1 | Ge o m e tr y 2

Bo d y l a n gu a ge
C o mp ut e r
Ne w c our se e va lu a ti on
Wor k sk ill s de ve lo p me nt

56 TUTORS & V OLUNTEERS

356 STUDENTS
14 VIRTUAL V OLUNTEERS

TUTORING:
F un c tio n al l ite r a cy
Ba si c E n gli s h: b e g in ne r t o a dv a nce d
En gl i sh : pr e - se c on d ar y to se c o nd ar y v
M a th : pr e - se co nd ar y t o se co nd ar y v
Nu me r a c y
9 E s se nt ia l Sk il ls
St u dy sk i ll s
Sc ie nce
C o mp ut e r us e

COMMUNICATIONS
& ENGAGEMENT

SUBSCRIPTIONS:

MARKETING and PROMOTION:

Ongoing 2015-2016

The Learning Exchange uses its websites and social media for
general literacy advocacy t o the community at large; t o promote
and share updates about TLEs programs, news and events; to
provide online resources and information; t o communicate with
our m embers, staff, partners, supporters and stakeholders; and
to network with individuals, other non-profit and educational
organizations around the world.

UpSkill
Heroku & Apotrophe
GoDaddy sites/domains:
TLEliteracy.com
EssentialSkillsQuebec.com

EssentialSkillsQuebec.net

EssentialSkillsQuebec.info
EssentialSkillsQuebec.org

WEB RECRUITMENT/PROMOTION:

Charity Village
Concordia: CURE
Get Involved (closed Dec. 2015)
Literacy Quebec
McGill University
TLE social m edia
Volunteer Match

PROMOTION:

Created p romotional materials for d istribution

TWITTER

TLE WEB

FACEBOOK

EDMODO

SCRIBD

@TLEliteracy:

244 Users
141 Posts
26 Pages
10 Countries

209 FB Likes
13 New albums
145 New posts

3248 Library Items

319 Students
5 Teachers

86 items published
95K views

238 Tweets
309 Followers
Following 421

@ESkillsQuebec:

ES Quebec
WEB
1 website developed
with FreeCodeCamp
volunteers
Launched Feb. 2016

545+ links/resources
618 Users
59 Countries

9 Tweets
109 Followers
Following 489

TARGETED POPULATION:
F U ND E R S P A RT N ER S S U P P O RT ER S T L E M EM B E R S G E N E R AL P U BL IC O R G AN IZ AT IO N S C O MM U N IT Y



RESULTS & IMPACT | July 2015 to June 2016
Enhanced presence in community
Increased communication and social networking presence
Up-to-date websites, online resources and information
Strengthened established partnerships | Increased partnerships
Improved communications opportunities
Created new Essential Skills website and section on TLE website: Increased
access to resources and links for 9 Essential Skills and virtual learning

8
8

TLE IN THE COMMUNITY

TLE represents the issues and concerns of TLEs members through representation and involvement on boards,
committees and via other key organizations

SURVEYS/INTERVIEWS:
Dec. 7/15

Commemoration Division Veterans Affairs Canada Veterans' Week 2015:

Learning resources survey and evaluation
Feb. 23/16

Literacy Quebec: Travel Survey

April 6/16

Dawson Oral History Project Interviews

May 30/16

TD Canadian Children's Book Week 2016 survey

June 2016

ABC Life Literacy: Family Literacy Day 2017 Survey

June 2016

Suburban newspaper: Literacy in Laval

REFERRALS, REGISTRATION & REFERENCES:
Ongoing 2015 to 2016

LEARNQuebec: 11 students for Math Tutoring | 2 for Secondary English

General inquiries for local and community resources
Student and volunteer registration
Job references x 8 Volunteers: phone references | written referrals

FUNDRAISING:
2015 to 2016

MEETINGS:
AS NEEDED:
July 2015 to June 2016

Staff meetings
Finance meetings
Volunteer & student meetings
Family Literacy meetings
Project meetings
We Day C ommittee
Social Committee
Personnel C ommittee

July 2015 to Dec. 15/15
Nominations C ommittee

Sept. 22/15, Nov. 27, Dec. 15/15, Feb. 23/16, April 5/16

BOD Meetings
Dec. 15/15, April 12/16

Special Meetings
April 1/16

BOD Poll
Dec. 15/15

TLE AGM

Indigo | $204
Fundscrip | $114

Sept.15/15, Nov. 30/15, Jan. 19/16, Mar. 17, 22/16

Governing Board Meetings

REPORTS | PLANS | PROPOSALS:

Written between 2015 and 2016

Canada Post Final Report 2014

Strategic Planning/Retreat Reports and Updates 2015
TLE We Day Impact Report: Interim and Final
SWLSB We Day Impact Report: Interim and Final
TLE Annual Report 2014 2015
PACTE Annual Report 2014 2015
PACTE Essential Skills Project Final Report 2014 2015
PACTE Funding Application Proposal 2016 2017
TLE 2016 2017 Detailed Action Plan for PACTE Application
CDC Vimont Governing Board Report re: Associated TLE activities

Sept. 24/15 AGM, Feb. 15/16, April 12/16

LQ Meetings x 3
Oct.22/15, Jan./16, Mar. 31/16, J une 2/16

Networking Partnership Initiative: NPI x 4

Oct. - Nov. 9/15

Retreat planning meetings

Nov/15, Dec./15 | Phone

LEARNQuebec
May 19/16

Family Literacy meeting w ith principal

TARGETED POPULATION:
F U ND E R S P A RT N ER S S U P P O RT ER S T L E M EM B E R S G E N E R AL P U BL IC O R G AN IZ AT IO N S C O MM U N IT Y

PROJECTS and PROPOSALS:

Canada Post Project: Completed October 2015

PACTE 2014 2015 Essential Skills: Completed October 2015

PACTE proposal 2015/2016: Virtual Volunteers: Accepted


Canadian Childrens
Book Week | The Canada Council for the Arts: 2 sessions Accepted

PACTE proposal 2016/2017: Not accepted

Table Interordres de Laval with CDC Vimont, Sir Wilfrid Laurier School: Accepted


BUILDING A STRONGER COMMUNITY
Through its programs, promotion and information
sharing, TLE contributes to the overall long-term
development of the community.

Annually, TLE seeks t o strengthen existing

partnerships and develop new ones
TLE represents its membership in t he
community by attending e vents, meetings
and activities promoting services,
advocating for literacy and participating in
networking opportunities
TLE w orks with community and provincial
organizations in information sharing,
recruitment, outreach and support
Annually, TLE appoints a BOD member t o
represent TLE as a Community
Representative on t he CDC-Vimont
Governing Board, where TLE has its office

PARTNERS &
SUPPORTERS

Martin Abran
Translations

NPI: Laval

10

FINANCIAL

TREASURERS REPORT: TLE FINANCIAL REPORT

This report covers the fiscal year July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016.

The Bank Balance as of June 30, 2016 was $5,297.00

The Total Revenue received for the fiscal period was $123,257.00

The Total Expenses for the fiscal period were $125,457.00

A Net Surplus of $6,011.00 remained at the year-end

The difference between the Bank Balance and the Net Surplus is offset by payables, and receivables

Appointment of Accountant

I would like to recommend that we appoint Patricia McGovern, C.A. as our accountant for the year 2016-2017.

Valerie Sauriol
Treasurer
Prepared by

Diane Richard
Financial Officer

TLE PACTE BUDGET

2016/2017
Salaries + Benefits
Workshop & Tutor training/development
Website host +

3,000
600

Financial Officer

6,500

Professional fees

1,050

Materials

1,000

Office/Computer Supplies

2,000

Internet/Telephone

1,500

Postage/Misc.
Conference/Meetings
Membership

71,500

200
2,278
200

Council Events

1,400

ICTs

2,000

TOTAL

93,228

TLE is funded through PACTE: Programme daction communautaire sur le terrain de lducation.
TLE seeks other sources of funding t hrough project proposals, partnerships, private and corporate donours,
and sponsors.

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