AMERICAN READING FORUM
15th
June, 2009
Greetings American Reading Forum Members,
The upcoming 2009 meeting of the American Reading Forum marks the 30th anniversary of our organizationŐs annual conference. The conference will be held from Wednesday 9th - Saturday 12th, December, 2009 at the Sundial Beach and Tennis Resort, Sanibel Island, Florida. The theme of this yearŐs conference is ŇRedefining Diversity: Going Beyond Language, Literacy, and CultureÓ. During the past few months the Program Co-Chairs, Enrique Puig and Nance Wilson, have been putting together this yearŐs conference. We can look forward to presentations by keynote speakers such as Kath Glasswell, (Griffith University, Queensland Australia) childrenŐs literacy development, assessment, and content; childrenŐs literature author and editor Junko Yokota; Louis Gomez (University of Pittsburgh) computer technology and literacy; Kimberly Gomez (University of Pittsburgh) content inquiry, media and equity. We can no doubt look forward to a range of insightful contributions and engaging conversations around the theme of redefining diversity.
As we look ahead to the 30th meeting of the American Reading Forum annual meeting, we must also look back on an extremely successful the 2008 annual meeting. I know you join me in extending our sincerest appreciation to the Program Co-Chairs, Gary Moorman, Mary Hendrix, Amie Snow, and Julie Horton for their hard work in putting together a great program. Gary, Mary, Amie and Julie, thank you for your dedication and continued service of our organization!
The annual meeting of the American Reading Forum Board of Directors and Committee Chairs took place at the International Reading Association annual conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota on Wednesday 6th May, 2009. At the meeting, the Board of Directors and Committee Chairs discussed details pertaining to the 2009 conference program, graduate student scholarship program, as well as plans for next yearŐs conference. Thanks to all members who were able to attend this meeting, and who volunteered for the onsite program committee. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the all Board members and Committee Chairs and committee members for your continued, dedicated service to our organization.
WeŐd like to acknowledge the new treasurer of the American Reading Forum, Karen Douglas, who has agreed to take on this important, and increasingly challenging, responsibility. Also, a special thank you goes out to Gary Moorman and his colleagues for their continued service managing the website and listserv, and helping to keep us informed and connected.
As a small, vibrant and strong community of scholars, the American Reading Forum is committed to the critical discussion and dissemination of research, issues and ideas in the field of reading and literacy education. More importantly, I believe it is important to continue to highlight our organizationŐs focus on community. We must continue to view the conference as a forum to engage in conversation and dialogue, and to sustain collegial and supportive environments for all scholars. Among our priorities as a scholarly community are the expanding of our membership, and mentoring of graduate students. It is with this in mind that I urge you to take an even more active role in recruiting new members to the American Reading Forum by reaching out to your colleagues and students. It is our hope that they too will find in the American Reading Forum, the supportive and scholarly, nurturing environment that has become the hallmark of our organization.
We hope to continue in our tradition with yet another exceptional conference. To do so, your continued participation, service and support of the organization are necessary in order to keep the ARF tradition alive.
Have a great summer!
Best,
Cheryl.
Cheryl A. McLean
Chair
American Reading Forum
Email: ceemclean@gmail.com