FOR MORE THAN FORTY YEARS,our councils have been helping adults in New Brunswick improve their English literacy (reading, writing) and math skills. The Laubach Literacy method – each one, teach one – has been in Canada since the first tutor training workshop was held in Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia in 1970. The first Laubach Literacy Council was established in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1975. Laubach Literacy New Brunswick was established in 1982. Still operating as Laubach Literacy New Brunswick, the provincial organization rebranded its and its affiliated councils under the program name READ NB.
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READ NB LeadershipREAD NB has a provincial board of volunteers. The Board governs the actions and interests of READ NB (Laubach Literacy New Brunswick) as a provincial organization, determining their strategic direction and priorities, and monitoring their operational finances and activities in relation to the defined strategy.
The following board members were affirmed at the Annual General Meeting, held on June 21, 2025.
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READ NB StaffREAD NB is staffed by a full-time Executive Director, Carol Cottrill, who has extensive experience managing non-profits and directing communications and community engagement.
The part-time Coordinator of Provincial Volunteers, Alison Teague, oversees tutor/volunteer training, resources and engagement. READ NB services are delivered through community-based Affiliated Councils. Each Council has its own volunteer board to govern the actions/interests in their area. Funded in part by grants from READ NB, they also raise funds to further support individual community-based programming. READ NB provides tutoring resources and tutor training for all the councils throughout NB, as well as provides continuing education for all volunteers. LLNB also assists the councils, as needed, with community engagement, fund development and marketing. |
STRATEGIC PLAN 2021-2026
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The following Strategic Impacts were approved by the READ NB (Laubach Literacy New Brunswick) Membership at the Annual General meeting on June 28, 2021 and form the foundation of READ NB's New Strategic Plan.
STRATEGIC IMPACT 1 New Brunswickers will know about the literacy programs and services we provide. We will work in collaboration with our community partners to improve access and knowledge of our services. Focus areas here include: awareness and education, information exchange and community engagement. STRATEGIC IMPACT 2 Our adult learners will have a robust selection of programs, services and resources to choose from on their literacy journey. Our learner's success is our success and we are committed to offering the English literacy programs and services that they need for success. Focus areas here include: Investment in innovation, capacity building, and better access to programs. |
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STRATEGIC IMPACT 3
Our councils throughout the province will have the resources they need to meet the expectations of their constituents, both volunteers and learners.
READ NB relies on its councils to provide community programs and services. By empowering them with education, resources and support, more New Brunswickers will have access to the literacy support they need. Focus areas here include: service coordination, training and governance.
Our councils throughout the province will have the resources they need to meet the expectations of their constituents, both volunteers and learners.
READ NB relies on its councils to provide community programs and services. By empowering them with education, resources and support, more New Brunswickers will have access to the literacy support they need. Focus areas here include: service coordination, training and governance.
UNDERSTANDING LITERACY
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Definition: Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak and listen – as well as to use numeracy and technology – at a level that enables people to express and understand ideas and opinions, to make decisions and solve problems, to achieve their goals, and to participate fully in their community and in wider society.
Literacy competencies are graded on a scale from one to five. At Level 1, people have few basic skills and great difficulty with text. Those at Level 4 or 5, can meet out reading demands and handle new reading challenges. Level 3 is considered the minimum skill level for successful participation in society. The most recent International Adult Literacy Skills Survey (IALSS) indicates that nearly half of all New Brunswickers over the age of 16 fall below a Level 3. That represents approximately 300,000 adults in our province who struggle with literacy. Numeracy and problem solving is similarly measured. Only 45% of Canadian adults can do everyday arithmetic and understand the numbers in printed materials, leaving 55% struggling. |
