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Values Statement
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Membership
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Membership Benefits
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Literaservices - Back Office, Professional Development, Group Purchasing, IT,
Telecom, Consulting Services, And More!
Discounts & Benefits
Accounting & Payroll
Help Desk Services
Back Office Cooperative Group Purchase Plan
At&T Telephone Services
The Look Of It Kit
The Communication Kit
The Presentation Kit
The Money Kit
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Educational And Professional Development Opportunities
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Social Opportunities
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Volunteer Fairs And Recruitment
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Job Postings
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Literaseek
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CLA Member Portal
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Literacenter
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Common Spaces
Meeting Rooms
Litlounge
Hosting Meetings And Events
Catering
Food And Coffee
Parking
Bikes
Security And Keycards
Hours
Mail
Printing
Cleaning
Alterations To Offices
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Communications
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Conflict Resolution Process
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CLA Team
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Values Statement The Chicago Literacy Alliance (“CLA”) is dedicated to increasing the combined impact of
the community’s literacy agencies by providing opportunities for creative and effective
collaboration. Working together, we envision a future in which 100% of Chicagoland
residents are functionally literate, and in which their shared literacy is a defining
characteristic and point of pride for our home. To make our vision come true, we pledge
to collaborate in the spirit of partnership, productivity and pride. CLA needs the creativity
and commitment of everyone to help it thrive.
Membership
Membership levels, benefits, and fees for 12-month CLA memberships are as follows.
Membership Benefits
All
Member
Levels
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Invitations to CLA meetings and social events at Literacenter and
elsewhere
Organization listing on the CLA website
Highlighted organization event listings on the CLA website calendar
and in newsletters
Free participation in CLA interest groups
Informal connections and referrals across the CLA network
Listing privileges on Literaseek
Use of the Literacenter’s flex workspace (desks / tables / couches in
the communal areas) during normal working hours, as well as
occasional other days /times when CLA elects to keep the space
open for members (during events, on weekends, etc.). CLA reserves
the right to limit the use of the flex workspace from time to time for
special events.
Use of Literacenter amenities including high-speed WiFi, electrical
outlets and charging stations, mail and package receiving, and
printing/copying
Opportunity to rent Literacenter storage locker(s) at $25/mo each
Opportunity to print/make copies at Literacenter at no cost until the
limit of each member level, and at the cost of $.05/black and white
copy; $.20/color copy after that limit has been exceeded
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Classic
Enhanced
Resident
Price
$250 / year
$2,500 / year
$5,000 / year
Free B/W
copies
250 / year
2,500 / year
5,000 / year
Use of
conference /
meeting
rooms
At hourly rates
No charge
No charge
30-day advance
booking privileges
90-day advance
booking privileges
Advance booking
privileges as far
ahead as desired
Storage
lockers
At $25/mo each
1 at no charge
5 at no charge
Extras at
$25/mo each
Extras at
$25/mo each
LitLounge
Rental
At usual
hourly rates
After 5:30pm
at discounted
hourly rates
(pending availability)
After 5:30 pm
at no charge
(pending availability)
Reserved
Office
-
-
At monthly rates:
1-person: $250/mo
2-person: $500/mo
4-person: $700/mo
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Literaservices - Back Office, Professional Development,
Group Purchasing, IT, Telecom, Consulting Services, and
more!
To take advantage of any of the following services, contact Alison Hanold
([email protected]).
Discounts & Benefits
•
10% discount at Open Books
•
$65 Divvy memberships
•
30% off membership at Brooklyn Boulders
•
15% off membership at Big City Crossfit when the first three CLA
members sign up, 20% off when six sign up, and 25% off when more than
six sign up
•
15% off treatment with West Meets East Acupuncture
•
20% off annual membership at Sat Nam Yoga
Accounting & Payroll
2% of net prior year revenue, paid monthly
•
Payroll preparation and administration
•
Bill payment processing via secure cloud based Bill.com service
•
Hosted QuickBooks file with remote access privileges
•
Monthly and quarterly financial statements
•
Cash receipts application
•
Daily banking downloads
•
Monthly bank reconciliation
•
Board package preparation
•
Consulting Services
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Help Desk Services
$95/hour, based on 15-minute increments
•
24/7 Help Desk Services, available in 15-minute increments with a 15minute minimum
•
Help desk services are supported for:
o Standard operating systems such as Microsoft Windows 7 & 8 and
Apple OSX Mavericks & Yosemite
o Business applications on smartphones and tablets with Apple, Android
or Windows mobile platforms
o Locally connected printers
Back Office Cooperative Group Purchase Plan
varies
•
Office Supplies from Staples at significant discounts from list price
•
Additional wide range of services – more information to come soon
AT&T Telephone Services
see details below
•
CLA can provide Standard level AT&T Office@Hand business phone
service anywhere with an internet connection. VOIP phones (Polycom)
can be purchased for $155, each, and direct-dial phone numbers are $25
per month, per user. This service provides a full suite of options including
the ability to use your cell phone or computer as your office phone, as well
as e-fax and web conferencing solutions.
•
Also available: 8% discount on AT&T wireless phone plans.
•
See https://officeathand.att.com/web/signup/plansandpricing.html for
complete list of services. Contact Jimmy Martin
([email protected]) for more information.
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The following packages are The Founding Kit’s offers to you, in their own words and
with their own enthusiasm! For more information, visit www.foundingkit.com.
The Look Of It Kit
$5,100 for photography
$5,700 for videography
$5,900 for both
Logo Design: After completing our strategic client questionnaire, our graphic
design team will create a custom logo for your business. We'll create your tailormade logo in print form as well as web format for Facebook and Twitter
specifications. You'll receive 2 logo designs to choose from and have 1 round of
revisions before we hand off your final logo to you.
Website: Our WordPress team will create a fully-functional custom website for
you., including Home, About, Products or Services, Blog, and an Online contact
form. Your site will enable Google Analytics, full site backups, eCommerce, SEO
onsite basics (the foundation), and email setup.
Domain Name & Hosting: There's no business (like show business) without a
URL. Get your domain name right here! Then we'll get your domain name hosted
with our hosting service so that your website is up and running in no time.
Includes one (1) domain name purchase and one (1) year of hosting.
Business Card Design & Printing: A solid brand voice is more than just a logo.
It's a promise of what your business provides to your clients each and every time
they come in contact with it. Our graphic design team has created a variety of
business card designs with different typographic applications to round out your
brand voice. We use Pantone colors for printing specifications and we'll provide
you with a high resolution PDF, too! Then we print you 500 business cards. You
get happy! Includes four (4) templates to choose from and one (1) round of
revisions before we hand off final files to you.
Photography or Videography: Want to make a better impression? Make a
video! Or update your photography for your business! Our video team is ready to
make you one (1) 60-second introductory video to feature on your website. Our
photographers are ready to make you look great! Includes either one (1)
introductory video or one (1) hour-long photography session.
Virtual Assistant: Need help? Your Virtual Assistant can help with general
administration, Internet research, appointment scheduling and more! Includes
five (5) hours of Virtual Assistance.
Accountability Partner: Your Accountability Partner will touch base with you
three (3) times as your kit gets set up to make sure you're staying on track.
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The Communication Kit
$3,000
E-Mail Newsletter Provider: Our newsletter provider offers the easiest way to
create, send, share and track email newsletters. Launch a simple campaign and
have fun doing it, too! Includes one (1) year agreement for 1,000 contacts.
Social Media Setup and/or Coaching: Need a newly-designed Facebook fan
page, Twitter page, or LinkedIn company page for your business? Want to
strategize and make a plan for how you are going to create social media buzz?
Look no further! Includes five (5) hours of setup and/or coaching work.
Publicity: Get a professionally-written pitch crafted, reviewed and perfected so
the press knows all about your business. Save time, increase exposure and
make more money. Includes one (1) pitch and outreach to five (5) media outlets.
Newsletter, Blog, Brochure Writing, Copywriting & Editing: Your marketing
efforts should pack a punch. Our writer will help determine your goals for your
newsletter, blog or brochure, copywriting, or editing needs and then turn your raw
materials into clear, compelling prose. Includes (2) hours of writing work.
Virtual Assistant: Need help? Your Virtual Assistant can help with general
administration, Internet research, appointment scheduling and more! Includes
five (5) hours of Virtual Assistance.
Accountability Partner: Your Accountability Partner will touch base with you
three (3) times as your kit gets set up to make sure you're staying on track.
The Presentation Kit
$2,400
Public Speaking Coaching: Need to improve your pitch? Want to get better at
presenting to partners, investors, colleagues or audiences? Work with our
coaches to make you a better speaker. Includes two (2) hours of coaching.
HR Consulting Services: Focus on developing top talent and resources for your
business. Figure out what you need, from payroll to benefits to employee
relations, and learn from our team. Includes one (1) hour of consultation.
Virtual Assistant: Need help? Your Virtual Assistant can help with general
administration, Internet research, appointment scheduling and more! Includes
five (5) hours of Virtual Assistance.
Accountability Partner: Our Accountability Partner will touch base with you
three (3) times as your kit gets set up to make sure you're staying on track
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The Money Kit
$3,300
CPA Guidance: Get accounting and/or tax consulting, a quarterly accounting
review, and a handy sales tax calendar. Includes five (5) hours of consultation.
Accounting Software: No business is truly successful without proper
accounting. With our accounting software partner, use a simple interface & bank
data importing that will cut down on your bookkeeping time by 80%. It's a win-win
that you can't lose. Includes an account for one (1) year.
Grantwriting Services: Get others to rally behind your cause by letting our grant
writer tell your story in a clear and powerful way. Have a 30-minute introductory
call to develop a mini-grants pipeline and process to set you up for success,
along with the completion of one (1) full strategic Letter of Inquiry (LOI).
Virtual Assistant: Need help? Your Virtual Assistant can help with general
administration, Internet research, appointment scheduling and more! Includes
five (5) hours of Virtual Assistance.
Accountability Partner: Your Accountability Partner will touch base with you
three times as your kit gets set up to make sure you're staying on track.
Educational and Professional Development Opportunities
All Members are encouraged to participate in CLA programs, which will be announced
through the weekly CLA newsletter and posted on the calendar in the member portal at
www.literacenter.org/a/memberportal. All CLA members are invited to attend events and
programs, and are welcome to suggest programs and events to CLA staff. To suggest a
program or to volunteer to plan an event, contact Alison Hanold
([email protected]).
Brown Bag Lunch Series: a chance to step away from your desk and join your fellow
members in a conversation about various issues affecting members. Topics include a
range of topics like marketing, accounting, state of literacy in Chicago, etc. Members
are encouraged to suggest topics and guest speakers.
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Expert Office Hours: the CLA will invite experts in various fields (program officers,
evaluation thought-leaders, etc.) to spend a day at the Literacenter, and Members can
reserve private 30-minute time slots to meet with these experts about any topic that
relates to their area of expertise.
Literacy Nights: These events will take place at different locations around the city, and
are intended to educate the public about literacy programming available within the CLA
community. All members are encouraged to participate.
And others to come!
Social Opportunities
The CLA will regularly host social gatherings for members, including game nights,
happy hours, book clubs, and more. All members are encouraged to suggest or host
social events!
Volunteer Fairs and Recruitment
The CLA will host a monthly Volunteer Fair for prospective volunteers from the
community interested in literacy issues. Members are encouraged to host a table at
those fairs in order to educate potential volunteers about opportunities to help. The CLA
will keep a volunteer database that tracks all attendees and their interests for members
to draw from as volunteer needs arise. Stay tuned for more information about these
events as they unfold.
Job Postings
The CLA is dedicated to helping build the teams of member organizations and to
keeping literacy talent within our community. Members are encouraged to share those
listing with the CLA community through our website, newsletters, and word of mouth.
Send job listings to Heather Bronson ([email protected]).
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Literaseek
Literaseek is an online data map displaying the locations at which literacy organizations
provide their services. It enables program providers to identify underserved areas, helps
schools to find programs that serve their needs, and makes searching for relevant
services quick, easy, and graphically accessible. Literaseek debuted in 2014 and is now
being populated with full service data. Members are asked to regularly add and update
their programs in Literaseek in order to maintain its accuracy and fulfill its purpose.
Members should share their Literaseek information with Jen Daniels-Lake
([email protected]) or can enter their information at
http://www.literaseek.org.
CLA Member Portal
The CLA Member Portal is the place to reserve meeting rooms, find member
information, start conversations with fellow members, and more. You can login at
www.literacenter.org/a/memberportal.
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Literacenter
Common Spaces
Members should leave common areas as clean as or cleaner than they found them.
Given the large number of people in the common space at any time, please maintain
appropriate noise levels, limit interruptions, and respect the other people in the space.
Meeting Rooms
All meeting / conference rooms include electric power and internet access. A/V
equipment is included in rooms holding 4 or more people. Meeting rooms must be
reserved through www.literacenter.org/a/memberportal.
Meeting Rooms
Room
Capacity
Number
of
Rooms
Available
Classic
Members
Enhanced
and
Resident
Members
Weekdays Weekends
Non-Members
Weekdays Weekends
1-2 ppl
6
$10 / hr
$20 / hr
Free
$20 / hr
$40 / hr
4-6 ppl
2
$30 / hr
$50 / hr
Free
$40 / hr
$60 / hr
8-10 ppl
4
$40 / hr
$60 / hr
Free
$60 / hr
$80 / hr
40+ ppl
2
$50 / hr
$80 / hr
Free
$80 / hr
$100 / hr
LitLounge
Only available for rent in evenings (after 5:30 pm) and on weekends
50-80 ppl
$160 / hr
$160 / hr
Free
$200 / hr
$200 / hr
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LitLounge
The LitLounge is the social hub of the Literacenter, and can be used for informal social
gatherings and meetings. The space is equipped with TVs, a projection / sound system,
comfortable furniture, games, a piano, and a kitchen for your use at any time during the
workday. LitLounge can also be reserved for private use after normal work hours.
The kitchen area of the LitLounge is the food center for everyone, and the dishes,
cutlery, and utensils there are free for members’ use. To keep the kitchen nice for our
community, please clean up after yourselves and your guests. Refrigerators and
freezers will be cleaned out every Friday at 3pm. If you need to store food for longer
than that, please contact [email protected] about special
arrangements.
In general, the LitLounge is a friendly and casual space. Please help to keep it that way
by putting things back after you use them (all pieces back in their game boxes, all trash
dropped in wastebaskets, etc.), using the TV, sound system, and projectors at
reasonable noise levels, and being mindful of potentially offensive media.
Hosting Meetings and Events
When planning and holding your meetings and events, please ensure that you respect
the work environment of the other members.
1. Members are responsible for their own setup and cleanup of the meeting rooms.
If setup requires rearranging furniture, please contact Jimmy Martin
([email protected]) before moving forward.
2. Members may use the equipment available in the meeting rooms at no charge.
However, you are responsible for the equipment’s safe use.
3. Room bookings are scheduled on a first-come first-serve basis through
www.literacenter.org/a/memberportal.
4. You must reserve your space online in advance. If you decide to use an available
space spontaneously, you must still retroactively reserve the space through the
member portal.
5. CLA is not responsible for items left unattended in the meeting rooms.
6. CLA reserves the right to assign a different meeting room to a group in order to
coordinate the multiple needs of the user group and the Literacenter.
7. Classic Members will be billed for hours of meeting room usage.
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Catering
Members are welcome to use the caterer of their choice in the Literacenter as long as
the caterer has: general liability limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000
General Aggregate / $2,000,000 Products and Completed Operations Aggregate; Auto
Liability of $1,000,000; and Workers Compensation Coverage of $500,000 / $500,000 /
$500,000.
We recommend the caterers listed below, who are both familiar with the space and
have offered competitive pricing to members hosting events in the Literacenter. Should
you choose to use a caterer not on this list, you will work with that caterer to ensure that
the space is treated properly. CLA reserves the right to prohibit the future use of any
caterer that does not treat our space with respect.
Paramount Events (www.paramounteventschicago.com)
Free delivery for dropoff catering orders, and 20% off full-service catering in the
Literacenter. Contact: Kim Urbaniak, [email protected]
Hearty Boys Catering (www.heartyboys.com)
A cost-effective option for breakfast and lunch services. Request an affordable, CLAspecific menu from Jen Daniels-Lake ([email protected]).
Contact: Katie Martin, [email protected], 773-244-9866, ext. 209
Food and Coffee
Coffee is available on the second floor of the Literacenter and in the LitLounge. Please
note that the coffee provided is single serve, so if you are hosting a meeting where 10+
people will require coffee, we ask that you provide coffee in bulk from a coffee shop
rather than using the single serve machines.
Food is available for purchase through vending machines in the LitLounge. If there are
any issues with either the coffee or vending machines, please inform Jimmy Martin
([email protected]). Members are welcome to bring outside food into
the Literacenter and to store food in the LitLounge refrigerator, within reason. All food
must be labeled with your name, and the refrigerator will be cleaned out weekly on
Fridays at 3pm. All food left in the refrigerator at that time will be discarded.
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Parking
There is limited evening/weekend parking (after 6pm and on weekends – never
overnight) available to members at the corner of Wayman St. & Union Ave., two blocks
north of Lake St. and one block west of Desplaines St. These spots are not guaranteed,
and are available on a first-come first-serve basis.
Bikes
Bike parking is limited in the area. The CLA will make its best effort to develop a bikefriendly culture, which may involve the addition of bike racks within the vicinity. Building
regulations do not allow the storage of bikes inside the Literacenter building.
Security and Keycards
Each member is responsible for ensuring the security of his/her individual workspace
and equipment. Members are also expected to do their best to ensure the shared
security of the common spaces. Members will be issued one (1) access keycard for
each employee authorized to access Literacenter. The keycard will entitle the holder to
enter the premises and use on-site printers/copiers. Members agree not to give their
assigned keycards to other people. Members may be accompanied by a reasonable
number of guests at all times except for special events identified as “Members Only.”
Members have total responsibility for guests, including responsibility for damages,
injuries, theft, without exception, and agree to release CLA from any liability. A $25
setup fee will be charged for each keycard requested, whether initially or as a
replacement. Members are responsible for all keycards distributed among their staff, as
well as for retrieving keycards from former employees and immediately reporting lost or
stolen keycards. Should any Member fail to report a lost keycard, and should that loss
result in damage or theft within the Literacenter, the Member will be held liable.
Members who violate any conditions of Membership Access may also have their
memberships revoked with no refund.
Hours
The Literacenter and LitLounge are available for use Monday-Friday from 9 am to 5:30
pm. Enhanced and Resident members may also use the space outside of that time, but
will be held responsible for any damage or misuse. CLA reserves the right to limit the
use of the Literacenter or LitLounge from time to time for special activities and events.
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Mail
Mail and package receipt services are available to all Members. Member mailboxes will
be located near the Enormous room, and CLA staff will deliver mail to these boxes as it
arrives. Large packages will be held at the welcome desk, and CLA staff will notify
members of their arrival.
Printing
There are two printers/copiers available for your use at Literacenter. Once the free
copies provided with your membership have been exhausted, prints and copies cost
$.05/black and white copy; $.20/color copy. Printing costs will be paid through your
keycard, and your organization will receive a monthly invoice for these costs. Please
report low paper, toner, or any other printer issues to Jimmy Martin
([email protected]).
Cleaning
A cleaning company will provide services after work hours Monday through Friday in the
common areas and in each of the private offices. Members are responsible for garbage,
recycling and general tidying throughout the day.
Alterations to Offices
Any alteration whatsoever to the permanent offices, including ( but not limited to), new
paint colors, installation of shelving, bolting artwork to walls, and so on, must be
approved by CLA before initiating. Members choosing to make such alterations will be
responsible for returning their offices back to standard condition upon their departure or
for reimbursing CLA for the cost of such restoration.
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Communications
The CLA will communicate with members through weekly newsletters containing event
information, shared member stories, and more. To send event listings or other
information to be shared in the newsletter, please contact Heather Bronson
([email protected]).
Members will be listed in the Member Directory at www.literacenter.org/a/memberportal,
which also contains a group conversation board. CLA encourages members to reach
out to one another through this directory and to use the group conversation board for
collaboration, general questions, requests for suggestions and ideas, and other related
topics. The CLA team is also happy to make individual suggestions about which
members might be good collaborators for specific projects. Members are discouraged
from adding emails found in the directory to mass mailing lists, and are prohibited from
sharing or selling contact information to outside parties.
Conflict Resolution Process
The CLA is committed to ensuring fairness, transparency, accessibility and
accountability in the conflict resolution process. Our hope is that all members will show
flexibility, compromise and respect, and that we can work collaboratively to address and
concerns
•
If a Member has a problem with the actions or behaviors of another Member,
she or he must first try to resolve the problem directly with that person or
group.
•
If the problem persists, the Member will be asked to put the complaint in
writing and address it to Alison Hanold, Partnerships Director. CLA staff will
review the complaint, speak with both parties, and propose a solution.
•
If the problem persists, or if either party is dissatisfied with the proposed
solution, the issue will be elevated to the CLA’s Executive Director, who has
final say and will offer a solution. This solution must be followed; if the problem
persists, CLA may choose to terminate the lease/license of either party based
on its best judgment.
.
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CLA Team
The staff of the CLA is happy to help you with any questions or concerns you may have
regarding your membership or use of the Literacenter. Please do not hesitate to reach
out to any of us for any reason, and say hello when you see us around the space!
Mike Ban, Executive Director
[email protected]
312.690.4793
Mike was one of the early active volunteers at the Chicago Literacy Alliance. After
serving as the volunteer President of CLA for four years, he was named Executive
Director in 2014, taking a full-time and even more active role in building the cause.
Mike’s involvement in literacy dates back to his days as Executive Director of Book
Worm Angels, which he headed for 9 years before merging it into Open Books in
2013. Mike brings a wide range of business and nonprofit experience to the CLA
party, including stints as the first ad sales manager of The Weather Channel,
Advertising Director of the Sherwin-Williams Company, and, with his wife, Jean,
starting a pioneering concept in staffing with their national company, Paladin —
placing marketing and advertising executives into contract positions. Mike is an
active cyclist, night school graduate from a college in Cleveland that’s been
swallowed up by two other larger universities (neither of which ever were in a bowl
game), proud dad of three wonderful children, grandpa to two awesome junior
hockey players, and committed friend to literacy.
Heather Bronson, Communications Manager
[email protected]
312.690.4793
Heather comes to the Chicago Literacy Alliance from an internal agency where she
not only was an editor for the last 5 years but also helped launch her company's
social media brand. She is a co-chair of the Mad Hatters, a children's performance
group that promotes literacy in Chicago public libraries and schools through singing
and acting out children's books. Heather holds a bachelor's degree from the
University of Missouri-Columbia where she majored in Journalism with an emphasis
in magazine editing. Books have always been a big part of Heather's life, from
her insistence to read every Babysitters Club book in order when she was 8 (there
are 131 books in the series) to writing and illustrating her first book, Ghost Flight, in
the fourth grade. Heather is excited to bring her passion for literacy and service
to her role as communications manager in which she can serve as a resource to
help CLA members promote literacy.
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Jen Daniels-Lake, Membership Coordinator
[email protected]
312.690.4793
Jen Daniels-Lake joins the Chicago Literacy Alliance with a diverse background in
non-profit management and a focus on community and membership engagement for
cultural and arts organizations. Her prior employment has included working with
longstanding institutions like Congregation Solel, Ravinia Festival, and the North
Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie. Literacy and education have played
a large role in Jen’s professional pursuits, and she has also worked as a Restorative
Justice Mentor with Black Star Project and a volunteer tutor with 826Chi. She holds
a bachelors degree in Psychology from Northwestern University and is close to
completing a masters degree in Non-Profit Management from Spertus Institute. In
addition to her dedication to making Chicago the greatest city on the planet, she is a
theatre, film, and music lover with an insatiable appetite for local, organic
vegetables!
Alison Hanold, Partnerships Director
[email protected]
312.690.4793
Alison joins the Chicago Literacy Alliance from the documentary world. Prior to her
work with the CLA, Alison was the Director of Development with Kartemquin Films (a
50 year old social justice documentary film organization), the Director of
Development and Communications at Critical Exposure (a D.C.-based non-profit that
teaches youth to use documentary photography to advocate for school reform and
social change), and the Associate Director of the Center for Social Media at
American University (a social justice media think-tank). She holds a bachelors
degree in Digital Cinema from DePaul University and a masters in Arts
Administration from American University. In her role as the Membership Director with
the CLA, she is excited to combine her non-profit experience with her passion for
creative and effective partnerships that create meaningful change. Alison is an
animal lover, a pie enthusiast, a survivor of a childhood spent in a haunted house,
and a believer that education and literacy are the keys to solving a majority of our
great city’s challenges.
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Jimmy Martin, Facilities Director
[email protected]
312.690.4142
Jimmy is thrilled to be a part of the Chicago Literacy Alliance, bringing with him a
love of technology and logistics and an inherent drive to help others. He spent the
last ten years in the world of corporate audio-visual and event technology
management-his favorite experience from his previous work being the production of
President-Elect Obama’s first press conferences here in Chicago. The product of
that endeavor was the most memorable handshake he’s received to date. Jimmy
holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts from the University of Central Oklahoma,
and a Bachelor of Science in Recording Industry Management from Middle
Tennessee State University. He is a loyal fan of the Chicago Cubs, and hopes to
pass on that sense of healthy optimism to his daughter. He credits his wife, Lauren,
for most of the good things in his life.
Stacy Ratner, Co-Founder & Creative Director
[email protected]
312.690.4247
Thirtysomething years ago, Stacy learned to read. This life-changing experience led
to degrees in law and literature, allowed her to help take three startup companies
from idea through a combined total of $30 million in committed venture funding, and
finally brought her to the cause of literacy in 2006. She began by founding Open
Books, an award-winning nonprofit social venture that now serves 5,000 students
each year through a spectrum of exciting programs funded in large part by the sale
of used books in its two Chicago stores. Three years later, she co-founded the
Chicago Literacy Alliance…and could not be more excited about what it has
become. In the for-profit sector, Stacy is the co-founder and Chair of Hooray
Learning, which provides engaging literacy web portals for students, teachers, and
parents. She has received an Emerging Leader Fellowship from the Chicago
Community Trust, places on NewCity’s Lit 50 and the national 40 Women To Watch
Over 40 list, the Social Enterprise Alliance’s Innovation award, and recognition on
the White House’s official blog for “spreading the infinite and awesome power of
books,” but is most inspired by the amazing things that her colleagues make happen
every day. Stacy writes a novel every year, eats ice cream every day, and is always
starting something. And, yes: her hair really is green.
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