Reading Matters Winter 2018

Letter from the President

Dale Anthony

As the 2017-18 President of SCIRA, let me begin by saying a huge THANK YOU to all of our members for your continued support of literacy throughout our state. Our members voluntarily give time and resources to our communities and schools, supporting our youth and instilling a love for literacy in their lives. I am so proud of our organization and of each and every member who serves selflessly in our schools and within our communities. This year has been the beginning of our transition under the umbrella of the International Literacy Association. We have felt the “growing pains” as we work with the ILA as the organization researches and shares how we can continue to promote and support literacy within and beyond our local and state chapters. As we continue to adhere to our mission of providing professional development, resources, instruction, and support in the name of “all things literacy,” we will also continue to support all of our stakeholders, within our borders and beyond.

new letter of agreement would need to be signed for this option. SCIRA would not need to complete any additional legal components. SCIRA would keep our current name. We would complete this process by completing a form with the IRS and the state of SC and paying the necessary fee. Option 3. Limited Nongroup. The legal com- ponents would be the same as with the full nongroup, however all support and services would be charged individually. The transition committee proposed that we accept Option 2, which would enable our state chapter to continue to function under the ILA umbrella, but we will retain our independent tax-exempt status with IRS, support our chapters within the state, and retain our name-South Carolina Council of the International Reading Association, SCIRA-instead of having to incorporate the change from“Reading” to “Literacy.” We will continue to receive updates in our affiliation with ILA in this transition process, which will enable us to share with our local councils. I know that I speak for all of the state officers in saying that we appreciate your diligence in sharing and supporting your passion for literacy. Borrowing from the commercials, I want to add: “Your tireless support in providing instruction and resources to our youth is awesome…your passion for literacy, stated and demonstrated…PRICELESS!” We look forward to seeing all of you at our upcoming 2018 state conference, “Snapshots of Literacy,” on Hilton Head Island. Vickie Brockman, SCIRA President-Elect/ Conference Chair, the conference committees, and each of you as members have worked hard to provide the best professional development opportunities through our sessions led by educators and authors. It is an honor to serve as your state President this year. Let’s continue our journey and share our “Snapshots of Literacy”within our schools, districts, local and state councils, communities, and the world.

Reading Matters Make it Matter

Over the past few months, ILA has shared with us the following:

“IRS granted South Carolina State of the Inter- national Reading Association an independent 501 (c) (3) status by the IRS when they filed to reinstate their tax-exempt status.”

All chapters, from all around the world, were given the following options in this transition process:

Option 1. SCIRA can move forward with the affiliation under the full group option. The independent 501 (c)(3) status would go dormant and we would begin the legal process of incorporating in DE. The current letter of agreement will still be valid. The state would select a new name that includes literacy, and the subscription dues would remain the same. All benefits and services would still be included. ILA would still cover up to $2000 for legal service associated with the new incorporation, and filing. Option 2. SCIRA can choose to remain an independent 501 (c)(3) nonprofit and still affiliate under the Full Nongroup option. A

Dale Anthony SCIRA President, 2017-18

| VI | Reading Matters | Volume 18 • Winter 2018 | scira.org

CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS