[Reading-hall-of-fame] Jack Cassidy's report

[jturbill]

Dear Colleagues
I really appreciate the information that Jack's report has provided  
us. I am the President of the Australian Literacy Educators'  
Association which is an 'international' affiliate of IRA. I have been  
working with other international affiliates to have our associations  
recognised as 'international' and not 'national' affiliates. We had  
also requested greater international representation in IRA committees.  
There had some positive moves towards these goals until the last  
twelve months. However since Kathy Au left the Presidency, and Bill  
Harvey left (in unknown circumstances) we have heard absolutely  
nothing from the interim management and President, not even responses  
to my emails.

I accept that IRA has had obvious financial issues and is trying to  
overcome these, however I am concerned that the lack of communication,  
the loss of key staff along with the potential decrease in the quality  
of the journals will simply feed the downward spiral. Our small  
Australian association has also faced similar problems with  
membership, growing costs and conference attendance. Thus we have  
worked very hard to engage new members and to increase the quality of  
our journals. As a result our membership is increasing, and our  
journals have been listed as A ranking journal by the latest  
government rankings. This latter point is critical in the Australian  
context as academics need A ranked publications.

I am particularly saddened at the departure of Anne Fullerton. Anne is  
undoubtedly a strength that IRA cannot afford to lose during this dire  
time.

Concerned
Jan