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AN AFFILIATE OF THE INTERNATIONAL LITERACY ASSOCIATION (ILA)

Formerly, the Georgia Reading Association (GRA)

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What are Local Literacy Councils?

Local Literacy Councils are community-driven groups dedicated to fostering literacy education, engaging local communities, and promoting equity in literacy access.

At one time, Georgia had more than 20 active councils; today, there are six active councils.

GALA is committed to growing this network and would love for YOU to consider forming a council in your area!

GALA Local Literacy Councils

Henry-Heritage Reading Council (serving Henry County)

Contacts: Katrina Smith-Paggett (katrina.smithpaggett@gmail.com), Martha Robbins (megrobbinsga1@gmail.com)

North Georgia Literacy Association (NGLA; serving Cherokee, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties)

Contact: Angela O’Brien-Scheidt (angela@literacyfutures.com)

Clayton County Literacy & Reading Council (CCLRC; serving Clayton County)

Contact: Natasha Letze (natasha.letze@clayton.k12.ga.us)

Dekalb County Reading Council (serving Dekalb County)

Contact: Davetta Grisgsby (davettagrigsby@gmail.com)

Forsyth Council of Literacy Advocates (serving Forsyth County)

Contact: Courtney Bean (cbean@forsyth.k12.ga.us)

Cook Area Literacy Council (still forming; serving Cook and surrounding South Georgia counties)

Contact: Stephanie Butler (stephaniebutler@cpresa.org)

Preliminary discussions are underway to establish local councils in Carroll, Harralson, Rockdale, and Lamar counties!

Why Start a Local Literacy Council?

      • Build connections among community members, educators, and literacy advocates.
      • Address literacy needs specific to your community.
      • Provide opportunities for professional growth and development.
      • Participate in impactful activities, such as hosting Reader of the Year competitions, engaging in international literacy projects, and more!

By starting a council, you’ll join a growing statewide network of advocates working

to make literacy accessible and celebrated across Georgia.

Ready to Start a Local Council?

In the meeting recordings linked below, Dr. Robert Griffin, Megan Schumacher, Anita Beasley, and local council leaders talk about why local literacy councils matter in Georgia and walk you through everything you need to know to start one, including mission statements, bylaws, meeting requirements, membership, and more. If you've been thinking about starting a council in your area, this is a great place to begin!

Email Angela O'Brien-Scheidt, the GALA Local Councils Chair, at angela@literacyfutures.com with all questions related to starting or maintaining a local council in your area!

Together, we can create a stronger literacy network and make a lasting impact on communities across Georgia.

Tutorial Videos

Meeting #1 Recording (March 24, 2026): This session features Martha Robbins of the Henry Heritage Reading Council walking us through their model council, including their Reader of the Year program, quarterly professional development meetings, and author visits. If you want to see a thriving local council in practice, start here.

Meeting #2 Recording (April 21, 2026): This session focuses on the essentials of getting started. We walked through the registration form section by section, discussed membership and dues structures, community engagement strategies, and the commitments your council will make. If you are actively in the planning stages, this is your go-to reference.

Henry Heritage's Tip Video: Katrina Smith-Paggett, Chair of the Henry Heritage Reading Council, shares her practical wisdom on organizing council files, assigning leadership roles, and distributing planning responsibilities among your team. This 14-minute video is genuinely useful with guidance you can act on right away.

STEPS to START a Local Literacy Council!

1. Express Your Interest

  • Reach out to Angela O'Brien-Scheidt, the GALA Local Councils Coordinator, at angela@literacyfutures.com to let us know you’d like to start a council. GALA leaders are available to guide you through the process.

2. View the Presentation Above

3. Plan Your Council

  • Print and use this planning form (PDF) to begin organizing your council by deciding:
    • A name for your council (e.g., [Your County] Literacy Council).
    • A mission statement that reflects your council’s purpose.
    • Goals you’d like to achieve in the first year (3–4 specific objectives).
    • Dates for your local literacy council meetings (minimum of 4 meetings, which is the ILA requirement). 
    • What social media platform will your local council use to engage your community.

4. Organize Leadership

  • Decide if your council will elect officers or simply assign roles, including:
    • A Chair to serve as the liaison to GALA and attend virtual meetings.
    • A Treasurer to manage membership dues and records (if applicable).
    • A Secretary to document meetings and decisions.
    • A Community Contact to share news and meeting information locally and through social media.

5. Complete Required Documents

  • Complete the registration form using your responses on the PDF planning form linked bove.
  • Use the by-laws template and submit to chair@galiteracy.org when it is approved and adopted by the local council membership. The by-laws template be personalized to meet your council’s needs.

6. Launch Your Council!

  • Announce your council to your community, host your first meeting, and start building a local literacy community in your area. Submit minutes quarterly to chair@galiteracy.org to demonstrate your local council remains actively engaged in community literacy efforts.

What Does a Local Literacy Council Do?

Every council is unique, but here’s an example of what the Henry Heritage Reading Council (HHRC) organizes each year.

Henry Heritage Reading Council's Yearly Plan

Frequently Asked Questions 

What activities could dues support?

    • Dues can be used to fund activities like reader recognition programs, speaker honorariums, international projects, or community literacy initiatives. Councils may choose whether or not to collect dues (e.g., Henry Heritage Reading Council collects $10 annually).

Are we all alone in forming our new literacy councils?

    • No! GALA members are happy to help! We’ll help you apply for small local grants to fund local community project initiatives.

Are councils required to have social media?

    • Yes, new councils should create a social media page to engage their community and share updates. Links to these pages will be included on the GALA's website to help promote your local council!

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