This year has been one of building new partnerships starting with our Focus on Fifty “friendraising” events, moving on to the creation of the first Commonwealth Partner, completing an agreement with the Virginia Department of Education that provides access to RFB&D services to every school district in the Commonwealth, and ending with the 10th Annual RFB&D Outback Golf Classic held again at the gorgeous Stoney Creek Golf Course. The culmination of this full and exciting school year celebrates our new supporters and old, but all highly valued partners.
We have held our first two Local Action Committee (LAC) meetings this year through the generous hospitality of wonderful new friends. From these we have met others and continue to share our vision for all people to have access to the printed word. We are raising awareness as we proceed through this “friendraising” process and it has been a pleasure to be so well received by the many we have met. Help us reach the students in your community by creating a LAC in your area.
The Virginia Department of Education (DOE) through the AIM-VA initiative has signed a contract that effectively provides a “library card” for all Virginia K-12 schools. This is an exciting step in realizing our vision; however we still have much to do. We need to continue to raise awareness of the Learning Through Listening resource being made available to all Virginia students and we must also assist the schools in identifying sources of funding to purchase equipment for them. We will work diligently to support our students in each of these 1,960 schools in Virginia who became members with the signing of this unprecedented contract.
To build on our partnership with the Virginia DOE, the new Commonwealth Partner program was created. We are excited to announce that Barton Malow, www.bartonmalow.com/offices/cville.htm, a regional construction company building for K-12 schools and higher education institutions has become RFB&D’s first Commonwealth Partner and was involved in the creation of this new collaboration. This three year program establishes an annual sponsorship for Barton Malow. They will receive the ongoing benefits of a major sponsor and they have elected to purchase equipment for the schools in the areas around the state where they have an office or a construction project underway. RFB&D will promote them in the schools as a community partner interested in supporting local students. We look forward to building on this program and securing more Commonwealth Partners in your neighborhoods as well. Please let us know if you would like further information on this exciting new partnership.
Finally, on June 2nd, the 10th Annual RFB&D Outback Golf Classic celebrated a 10 year relationship with sponsors, golfers, volunteers and the support of the Outback Steakhouse that has provided it’s famous shrimp and steak, plus everything that goes with it for our golfers for 10 years. The day was clear and competition was intense. At the end of it all, with the proceeds of this now famous event we are able to better support our Educational Outreach program for the students in Virginia.
So, who do you know who might be interested in hearing more about the Commonwealth Partner program? The new AIM-VA contract? The awareness campaign, through LAC’s, we continue to move forward in Richmond, Lynchburg, and all of the corners of the Commonwealth? It would be my pleasure and my honor to share any of these stories with them and as a reminder I am easily reached at 434-326-4944 or at gmilligan@rfbd.org. I look forward to talking to you and working together to continue securing academic success for all our students.
With the students in mind,
Gail Milligan
Virginia State Director
Recorder - Our Summer/Fall 2008 Regional Newsletter
Download PDF version of our newsletter and our Virginia insert
We are GOING GREEN at RFB&D! Please join our effort by signing up to receive letters and newsletters electronically. Simply e-mail gogreen@rfbd.org and provide your full name and mailing address. We will remove you from the mailing list and add you to the e-mail only list.
 |
Attention Teachers!Teachers, do you want to find ways to fund needed supplies for your class? Find out more about a great resource exclusively for educators and devoted to helping teachers fund back to school needs. |