The Adult Literacy Tutors Association (Alta) has elected Noble Philip to its board of directors. At the organisation's annual general meeting at the end of October, members elected a six-member board for the 2013/2014 term led by chairman Hetty Sergeant and voted Philip as a new addition to the leadership team.As retired chief executive officer of Bermudez Group Ltd and current chairman of Market Facts & Opinions (MFO), the company he founded in 1985, Philip will guide the charity in the area of strategic planning. His experience in this area comes at an ideal time for Alta as the organisation moves away from revolving around its founder Paula Lucie-Smith.His relationship with the volunteer organisation began in 1994 when Alta commissioned the first National Literacy Survey. The survey was only possible because of the expertise provided gratis by MFO.
The survey revealed that 23 per cent of adults are unable to read everyday material like signs on buildings and labels on foodstuffs. Philip says he believes in the succession planning process as a means of developing the pipeline for the leaders needed for the future.He relishes the creation of an environment in which learning can take place, especially one in which failure is accepted as part of the way forward.This philosophy is nicely in step with the Alta principle of learning which holds that mistakes are how we learn and praise makes the effort all worthwhile.
Alta tutors respond to students by praising what was done right and then guiding the student to correct any mistakes.Phillip joins an already strong team, all of whom are present or past volunteer tutors. Hetty Sergeant, chairman since 2005, brings international experience from her work with UNFPA.
She is an experienced manager of population and reproductive health facilities and programmes for 30 years, with strong skills in advocacy, programme design, implementation and evaluation.
With a background in accounting, economics, finance, business management and more than 20 years of practical experience as Comptroller for Heritage Amoco/BpTT, treasurer Hamilton Padmore's skills lie in effective, efficient management of accounting and financial records, as well as the development and maintenance of new systems.Secretary Gem Rowe has served at the executive secretary level at Neal and Massy for many years and Alta is also well-served by her long experience as secretary to their charitable foundation.As the board's legal officer, Marise Warner assists with the provision of governance and stewardship to Alta and is responsible for the formulation of its policy.She began her legal career in 1996 and currently works as a Legal Officer with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where she is involved in drafting, vetting and negotiating bilateral and multilateral agreements.Alta thus enters 2014 with an experienced and committed team well able to keep Alta moving from strength to strength.
Since 1992, Alta has offered free literacy classes to people over the age of 16 in communities across Trinidad. During January and February 2014, Alta invites new volunteer tutors and Reading Circle guides to contact our offices, 624-2582, to learn to teach in preparation for the 2014/2015 academic year.