June 9, 2005

Present: Randall Aragon (Co-Chair), Jim Davidson (Co-Chair), Ramona Aragon, Mary Boyd, Phyliss Fry, Jerry Glover, Larry Pillow, and Amanda Moore

Jim called the meeting to order at 2:20. He stressed that this committee was formed to work in a critical area: the literacy of young people. Young people are important and literacy helps them realize their potential for good. Jim encouraged all members to read the book "Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story." Ben Carson, a youth living in the Detroit ghetto, was challenged by his mother to read two books per week. Reading had a tremendous impact upon Carson's life, and he went on to ultimately become a highly respected neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins.

Randall discussed the importance of reading in his life, and he stressed what a profound difference observing his mother own reading and receiving a gift book from his aunt had made upon his impressionable childhood. He indicated that "children without literacy skills become statistics," and he emphasized that we are going to make a difference in our community.

Jim asked that committee members read his project outline [handout with title "A Bookcase for Every Child: A Special Literacy Reading Program"], and let him know at which phase of the project each of us feels we can make the biggest contribution.

The AARP has committed to helping with project. Mary and Phyliss are working on the first phase of the project and identifying preliminary needs. Scott will be getting word out about our book drive (for "gently used books," children 2-18) and the need for craftsmen. Phyliss will store books from the book drive at CAPCA. Ramona and other educators will select age appropriate reading from the book drive collection.

Proceeds from Jim's book "Learning, Earning, and Giving Back" will, in part, fund bookcases. The committee discussed the wording on Jim's book advertisement for the Log Cabin, and we decided upon "Your purchase of this book will help us build "Bookcases" for the deserving children and youth of Conway."

Randall expressed concern about some of the wording on the "Overview" page of Jim's handout. It was agreed that Randall will edit the page to incorporate ideas about the importance of literacy in keeping youth "non-stats." and capturing their hearts and minds.

Amanda suggested that, when giving bookcase and books to deserving children and youth, we might also encourage them to get a library card and use their local library.

Jerry raised the issue of encouraging on-going literacy skills with our selected children and youth. The committee discussed the possibility of having volunteers (possibly foster grandparents, the Boys' and Girls' Club, or religious groups on our college campuses) read to our selected children on an on-going basis.

In discussing the book drive, Larry volunteered to spearhead the effort and store 50 bookcases and 50 boxes of books at his church, Cornerstone Bible Church. CAPCA had previously volunteered to store books and the Log Cabin to store bookcases.

All committee members were asked to read Jim's handout, reflect upon their own role in the project, and let Jim know in which phase they feel they can best serve.

The meeting adjourned at 2:55

Minutes respectfully submitted by Amanda Moore

 

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  Minutes for October 13, 2005 Meeting

3:30pm

Conway City Hall

Present: Randall Aragon, Jim Davidson, Bill Hegeman, Mickey Cox, Nina Russ, Carolyn from Head Start, Mary Boyd, Ken Ingram, Tab Townsell, and Amanda Moore

Jim Davidson expressed his gratitude for the work and commitment of all the members. He noted that Ken Ingram, architect extraordinaire, graciously drew plans for the bookcase models, Mickey Cox and his crew of expert craftsmen built the bookcases, and Phyliss Fry and her outstanding committee collected appropriate books for each child's bookcase. Jim indicated that Jerry Glover had talked to David Keith about the Log Cabin headlining the smashing success of the book drive.

Jim presented Co-Chair Randall Aragon with a surprise present from the Committee. After opening a beautifully wrapped box, Randall found successively smaller wrapped boxes until finally he uncovered the gift: a copy of Jack London's Call of the Wild, a book of particular significance to Chief Aragon. Clearly, Chief Aragon was touched.

Mayor Tab Townsell then expressed his appreciation to the Committee for its hard work and dedication. He eloquently quoted from Francis Bacon and indicated that, with a project like this, Conway will serve as the "city on the hill" for the rest of the state.

Jim indicated that each child's bookshelf needs a dictionary. He brought two for the Committee to view: Webster's Dictionary for Students and Webster's New Explorer Dictionary. The Committee decided to give the Dictionary for Students to children 11 years and younger and both dictionaries to children 12 and above.

Discussion moved to the next phase of the project: developing a systematic approach to reading to the children. Ken asked to what extent we should collaborate with school reading programs to encourage reading. A core group of volunteers who could read aloud would make a tremendous impact upon the lives of our young readers. Perhaps we could get volunteers from AARP, CBC, UCA, and Hendrix. Jim also mentioned Thelma Molton. Jim indicated that we need to find a special person with a passion for kids and literacy who can organize and mange the volunteer readers.

Jim indicated that proceeds from his book Learning, Earning & Giving Back will fund the project and indeed will become a symbol of literacy in America. Through grassroots efforts and email, this message can reach people across the country. Learning, earning, and giving are the key concepts of our project.

Our first Awards Ceremony will be on Sunday, November 13 at 2:30 p.m. at Cornerstone Bible Church. Jim will MC the event, Amanda will say a few words about the importance of reading, and Nina will be in charge of layout and refreshments. [Additional details are in Jim Davidson's email message dated October 17 with the subject line "Awards Ceremony - End 'gently used' book drive.]

After lively discussion about the Awards Ceremony, the meeting adjourned at 4:45pm