TLE Annual

Report
2014/2015

OUTREACH
Building a stronger community

TRAINING

T U TO R I N G

SUPPORT

PREVENTION

AWA R E N E S S

2014/2015

The Learning Exchange

Board of Directors 2014/2015
President: Mona Arsenault
Vice-President: Lazar Jevromivic
Secretary: Christiane Dabbagh
Treasurer: Valerie Sauriol
Director: Enza Ciampanelli

Staf
Executive Director: Darlene Brown
Administrative Assistant: Karen Mockler
Financial Officer: Diane Richard

Consultants
Communication Consultant: Margo Legault

Web Master
Darlene Brown
Consultant: Shanice Carlisle

Tutor Trainer
Darlene Brown

Funding Sources
PACTE
Programme daction communautaire sur le terrain de l'ducation PACTE is a
provincial grant administered by the Direction de la formation gnrale des
adultes (DFGA). The grant is designed to cover recurring operation expenses.

Other Funding Sources

TLE seeks other sources of funding through project proposals, partnerships,
private and corporate donors and sponsors.

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2014/2015

The Learning Exchange

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Mission
The Learning Exchange is a volunteer not-for-profit organization dedicated to
empowering the community through improved literacy.

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Mona Arsenault

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
As this season drew to its close and a new one began I reflected back on the events of
The Learning Exchanges past fiscal year.
One of the highlights of the past year was when I participated in a book review event as
part of a Basic English class. The class had read an autobiography from a book and wrote
formal letters expressing their interest in this story. They did not know it was MY story
until I attended their final class. We discussed my experiences of having had Polio as a
child. Then we went on to discuss the dangers of not vaccinating your child. A truly
interesting and informative discussion ensued. Students learned that in 1952, when I got
Polio, it was the worst Polio outbreak in American history infecting 58,000 people, killing
more than 3,000 and paralyzing 21,000 the majority of them children. Parents never
asked during the 1950s, when the very real, utterly devastating effects of polio
overshadowed any hypothetical questions about vaccine safety. Finally, Feb. 23, in 1954,
Dr. Jonas Salks vaccine debuted, the only fear most parents felt was that it wouldnt
become widely available fast enough to save their kids. Today globally there are 17 cases!
Questions about vaccinations and safety were asked and answered together using
technology. I watched with satisfaction as the students gained new knowledge and
understanding, asked for information and demonstrated such eagerness to learn. This is
what The Learning Exchange is all about: Teaching and learning, ultimately building a
stronger community! TLE has reached and engaged members of the community through
innovative instruction impacting literacy skills and I would now like to extend a generous
THANK YOU to everyone involved in such a SUCESSFUL Year.

Thank you all for a wonderful and memorable year!

Mona Arsenault
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TLE President

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Darlene Brown

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS REPORT

Id like to welcome community and school members, all of our students, volunteers,
Board of Directors and staff to the 2014/2015 Annual General Meeting for The Learning
Exchange (TLE). As Executive Director of TLE, it has been a privilege to work with such
dedicated staff, members, volunteers and students!
The work reflected in this report speaks to the eventful and exciting year that 2014/2015
was and illustrates the incredible level of commitment of our staff and membership, both
individually and collectively. Thanks to our literacy supporters and project funding we
were able to work more closely with organizations, schools, and the community than ever
before. TLE remains in the public eye through increased social media, partnerships,
community involvement, family literacy initiatives, educational workshops and events.
Within this Annual Report you will find detailed information about all of the many and
varied efforts and activities of The Learning Exchange. Highlights from the year include:

285 students tutored: individually, small group and class

59 tutors and volunteers giving 4324 volunteer hours
New GetInvolved.ca volunteers and North Star Academy volunteers
1000s of books given away
18 Essential Skills community workshops with 322 participants
Girls Action: National Day of Action and Zoom conference
176 TLE web posts
2 Student Learner PGI Awards
Canada Post Community Foundation Family Literacy project
Don Aker authors visit
12 Family Literacy events
6 Cat-in-the-Hat family events
1042 children participated in readings
Dear Tomato poetry events
94, 623 views of our Scribd documents posted
190 Twitter followers and 169 Facebook page likes
1645+ Resources available via Edmodo
TLE celebration events
Indigo FUNdraiser of over $700
New mission, vision and updated by-laws
77+ partnership network

I firmly believe that we are poised for growth, opportunity, and development of services
in the community and TLE is dedicated to make that happen. I am truly proud to be the
Executive Director of The Learning Exchange and count myself as fortunate to be part of
an organization with such an inspirational group of people as we have here at TLE.
Together we will build a strong community.

Darlene Brown
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TLE Executive Director

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Priorities at a glance:

TLEs Strategic Plan 2011 to 2015

Sustainability
Strengthening TLE
Goals:
Raise awareness and understanding of literacy services
Expand partnerships and strengthen connections
Develop and maintain solid infrastructure
Increase overall membership

Excellence
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:
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

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TREASURERS REPORT

TLE FINANCIAL REPORT

This report covers the fiscal year July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015.

The Bank Balance as of June 30, 2015 was $3,123.

The Total Revenue received for the fiscal period was $137,975.

The Total Expenses for the fiscal period were $131,387.

A Net Surplus of $8,211. 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 2015-2016.

Valerie Sauriol
TLE Treasurer

Prepared by Diane Richard

TLE Financial Officer
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2015/2016

TLE
BUDGET

The Learning Exchange

2015-2016
BUDGET

PACTE Funding

Salaries + Benefits

93,228.00
93,228.00
71,000.00

Workshops & Tutor Training/Development

3,000.00

Financial Officer

6,500.00

Professional Fees
Materials

1,000.00
1,000.00

Office/Computer Supplies
Internet/Telephone
Website Host
Postage/Misc.

2,000.00
1,500.00
500.00
228.00

Conference/Meetings

2,300.00

Membership

200.00

Council Events

1,400.00

Computer Fund

2,600.00

93,228.00

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