Turning Pages announces new board members, prepares for year ahead
July 7, 2019
Turning Pages recently named six new board members committed to ensuring that the Columbia-based nonprofit continues to help adults in need improve their reading and math skills by providing one-on-one tutoring services free of charge.
New board members include:
- Chris Keefer, director of Government & Community Services for Richland County and a Turning Pages volunteer tutor, who was appointed chairman
- L. Amber Peoples, a data and recruitment specialist for the SC Department of Education
- Dr. Saundra Carr, an administrator for the SC Commission on Higher Education
- Tiffany Moore, an employment specialist and work instructor for Babcock
- Janie Kronk, an architect and project manager
- Whitney Jett, a program coordinator for the SC Commission on Higher Education.
These new board members join veteran board members Dr. Jennifer Almeda and Peggy Miller and officers Miriam Calamaro and Steve Riley in carrying out Turning Pages’ mission of empowering adults to maximize their life potential by achieving the personal goals related to improving reading and mathematical skills.
“In March, Turning Pages had announced that it would cease all operations by June 1 if we did not gain new board members,” explains Miriam Calamaro, Turning Pages’ executive director. “We are very pleased that this has indeed happened, and Turning Pages will continue to serve adults needing to improve their literacy skills.”
Turning Pages’ new board of directors began its work in earnest during the organization’s June 20 board meeting, setting up operating committees and assigning tasks and priorities. The most important task for the organization and new board will be finding a new executive director candidate to succeed Ms. Calamaro, who intends to leave the organization later this summer to further her career in K-12 education.
“In just the one year she’s been with Turning Pages, Miriam has proven to be a key asset to this organization, particularly to our learners and tutors,” says board chairman Chris Keefer. “We’re going to miss her dedication and professionalism, but we know that she will indeed be a blessing to students she is destined to lead.”
The board will also be focusing on improving its outreach and communications and on fundraising and development. “We have some challenges ahead, but we have the right blend of leaders on board to help us turn those challenges into possibilities,” says Ms. Keefer.
Founded in 1968 as the Greater Columbia Literacy Council, Turning Pages has trained over 1,500 literacy tutors and as many as 500 adult learners in one year. The organization currently has 29 active tutors working with 33 adult learners during one-on-one personalized tutoring sessions—provided free of charge and at the learner’s pace. To learn more about Turning Pages, visit www.turningpagessc.com or follow the organization on social media (@turningpagessc).
