Key to CommunityHighlights from Nov 17-18, 2019 Gathering

of Library Literacy Learner Leaders and Coordinators

About the Key to Community Project

• Started in 1994 as a collaboration of the California State Library literacy programs (CLLS), Common Knowledge and various partners and funders • Adult learners from the Bay Area New Readers Council, Common

Knowledge and the Santa Clara County Reading Program jointly developed an innovative approach to voter engagement• Learners shared that voting seemed like taking a test at the DMV; it was

an intimidating process with inaccessible language• Instead of asking “Why don’t you exercise your right and responsibility

to vote?”, they asked “What do you care about in your community?”

Key to Community Voter Involvement ProjectThis peer-led project was shown to double voting turnout among adult students at CLLS programs and adult ed programs (from 36% to 72%). Key innovations:• Learner-based design process• Goal of education rather than

advocacy• Dialogue about topics the learners

chose• Peer-led discussions created the

appetite for more information

Multiple resources over the years• Easy Voter Guide for each

election, edited by learners • Voting Workshop with and for

learners• Videos about voting and

volunteering with ALLI students• Learner-led projects around local

change

Key to Community Refresh• Summer/fall 2019 learner-led planning

process hosted at Berkeley READS, plus input from statewide survey of CLLS coordinators • Inspired by Oakland’s Second Start

“Community Talk” showing interest in local issues and year-round engagement• “Grow the Good” theme includes

community member role as well as voting; puts elections in context

Planning Nov. gathering and training

Welcome at California History Museum

Making California History

Celebrating Learner Leadership

The Voting Workshop

• The Voting Workshop:• Why to vote• How to vote • What are we

voting on?• Nonpartisan =

Informing people and helping them make their own choices

The Voting Workshop

Making Commitments

What We Heard about Resources

Adult Learner Leader Feedback

• Looking for more opportunities to practice leadership skills•More opportunities for learner

leaders to meet and connect across programs• Learners have started planning a

Spring 2020 meeting to prepare for Fall election

Resources in development

Visit keytocommunity.org