Dear NCL Board Colleagues, Our next board meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 19, the day before the NCL members meeting. Typically this meeting happens in the afternoon due to travel, but since we will be meeting virtually I'm planning on our usual meeting time (10-11:30 AM eastern). Please let me know if you won't be able to attend. I am attaching a short proposal from Kuna Tavalin and Laura Kaloi of Stride Policy Solutions. They are willing to work with the NCL board and ED on a pro bono basis from now to the end of June on two specific tasks: 1. Supporting NCL's development of a set of policy priorities for the next 8-12 months. This will involve facilitating a one-hour discussion at the members' meeting and creating a plan for communicating the priorities. 2. Supporting us (mainly me) in the initial steps in (re)building the Adult Literacy Caucus. Although we have not discussed working with a lobby shop previously, I have realized that this type of support is essential if we are to take advantage of the opportunities we have to influence policy with the current Congress and administration. I took the liberty of contacting Kuna and Laura because time is very short -- WIOA legislation is currently being drafted in both the House and the Senate, and appropriations discussions are continuing, with the detailed White House budget expected next week -- and because CEF is not able to provide this type of assistance. Kuna and Laura are willing to work pro bono for six weeks, while we assess how the relationship works and whether it is something that we want and are able to sustain on a longer term basis. Please review the proposal and let me know if you have questions that you'd like me to direct to Kuna and Laura. Also let me know right away if you have objections to the discussion at the members' meeting, so that I can make adjustments. FYI, I discussed this with Judy and Carol this morning, and it will be on the board meeting agenda. The rest of the members' meeting is shaping up well. We'll have the customary visit with OCTAE at 1:00, and a visit with Congressional staffers in the morning. It looks as though the day will end with member updates. Thanks to all who submitted suggestions! Deborah Deborah Kennedy Executive Director http://www.national-coalition-literacy.org/