NPES Literacy Action
NPES LITERACY EFFORT GREW FROM MEMBER'S ALLIANCE IN MASSACHUSETTS
"Standard wanted to be a good corporate citizen and to support something critical to our industry, the printed word," says Steven Reny, Vice President and Managing Director of the SBS Division of Standard Finishing Systems in Andover, Massachusetts. "There was a growing awareness of the literacy problem." SDMC got in touch with the Eastern Massachusetts Literacy Council, a local affiliate of Laubach Literacy International, which was founded by Dr. Frank C. Laubach in 1955. Laubach Literacy had more than 1,000 such affiliates nationwide. The relationship between the Eastern Massachusetts Literacy Council and SDMC was strong from the beginning, Reny says. The company offered in-kind contributions, direct financial support and assistance in publicizing the Council's activities. It also urged its dealers nationwide to get involved with similar efforts in their communities.
Steven Reny became a director of EMLC and now serves as its president. In late 2002, Laubach Literacy merged with Literacy Volunteers of America to form ProLiteracy Worldwide.
When Steven's brother David, Vice President and Managing Director of Standard's Finishing Systems Division, became NPES Chairman two years ago, he saw an opportunity to bring the literacy message onto a national stage. The partnership between NPES and ProLiteracy was announced at this year's GRAPH EXPO® and CONVERTING EXPO® when ProLiteracy President Robert Wedgeworth spoke to 1,000 high school students and teachers at Career Awareness Day, and NPES hosted a guided tour for ProLiteracy executives. The two groups will cooperate on special promotions through their web sites, in-kind support through provision of printing and related services, additional communication to NPES member firms, and other ventures. "The experience has been very positive," says Reny. "The literacy movement has been very appreciative of our efforts to get the word out. This is really a cause that is very interesting and appropriate for the greater community of print equipment suppliers and printers to support. In addition, other NPES member companies may find they have similar opportunities to get involved in their own communities." The U.S. division of ProLiteracy Worldwide, has approximately 1,200 member programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and volunteers are always needed. For more information, visit www.proliteracy.org.
PROLITERACY WORLDWIDE PRESIDENT ADDRESSES CAREER DAY
Robert Wedgeworth, President of ProLiteracy Worldwide, explained the myths and facts of adult literacy to more than 800 high school students and teachers attending a Career Awareness Day program October 1 at GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO in Chicago.
Wedgeworth told the students that reading is a difficult skill to learn and that 21st century literacy includes a wide spectrum of skills and abilities beyond the ability to read, write and calculate. He encouraged the students to get involved by preparing themselves to be part of the 21st century work force, being aware of the literacy component in every major social problem, referring friends who may need assistance to literacy programs and considering volunteer tutoring.
Click here to view Wedgeworth's PowerPoint presentation, including photographs of adult learners worldwide. ProLiteracy Worldwide is the world’s larges non-governmental advocate, with 1,200 local affiliates in the United States and 82 international partners in 47 developing countries.
Career Awareness Day Photos
Representatives of ProLiteracy Worldwide met with show officials and toured the exhibits following President Robert Wedgeworth's presentation for 800 high school students and teachers at Career Awareness Day. Shown in the NPES Office, from left to right, are Kirk Shisler, ProLiteracy Vice President of Fund Development; Steven and David Reny, Standard Finishing Systems; NPES President Regis J. Delmontagne, Wedgeworth; ProLiteracy Vice President of Publishing and Executive Director of New Readers Press Dennis Cook, and Fund Development Officer Catherine Santaniello. 
NPES Chairman David Reny, at right, shows products from the Standard Finishing exhibit to ProLiteracy Worldwide group. Standard has been a long-standing supporter of both ProLiteracy Worldwide and its regional affiliate, The Eastern Massachusetts Literacy Council. Standard executives, including the Reny brothers, are active in the organization and introduced ProLiteracy to NPES.