How Our Program Works

Sometimes, it is easy to see where literacy needs are being unmet in a community. All too often, we tell ourselves that we are not qualified to meet those needs. The truth is, by just recognizing another’s needs, you are already showing your capacity to do something. As we read in the Doctrine and Covenants “Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work” (D&C 4:3).

In following BYU’s commitment to go forth to serve, we have every confidence in your ability to make big things happen. Remember a large event is not what qualifies as “big,” but the impact you make in the lives of those you serve does. As you strive to do so, the BYU Education Society will help you. The change your community needs starts with you!

Where To Begin

You may be wondering what your first steps should be. First, what is your end goal? For example, the BYU Education Society has a goal to aid in children’s literacy across the country. Your goal may be similar for your community. Some ideas for specific goals could be offering a selection of books to the children in your school district, creating a space for parents and children to learn together, or helping students who are behind in their literacy (reading, speaking, or listening) to catch up.

The next question how will you achieve this goal? The following section about choosing a project idea can help you. A good place to start is to identify needs around you. You have probably heard a tired parent (or maybe yourself!) say something along the lines of ‘I just wish there were more hours in the day’. Identifying a need starts by exploring statements like this. Why do you wish there were more hours? What would you do with those extra hours, and what is preventing you from doing those things?

In your school district, look for the areas where you feel students lack sufficient literacy materials.

You could search for needs by recalling your own experiences. What literacy resources do you wish had been accessible when you were a child learning hot to read or parent teaching your child?

How To Choose a Project Idea

Once you have identified a need, begin looking into solutions. Try researching service projects that have been done in your area. List them and rank them in order of importance to you. There are countless articles online documenting other people’s projects. See what made those projects succeed or fail.

Consider what impact your project idea will have. Make sure your idea is feasible and give yourself plenty of time to accomplish it. While researching, you may come across opportunities with close deadlines. Relieve yourself of unnecessary stress by allowing a generous timeline.

The BYU Education Society has sponsored several local literacy projects that could be used as a model. We recommend you fill out an interest form to be connected to our board members and others who serve as coaches or sounding boards.

Finding a need and a project go hand in hand. Service is meant to uplift and support those around us. If you know of people in your circle who have an unmet need, you could cater your project to those needs. Don't feel pressure to exactly match someone else’s idea, or follow some kind of template. Each of your literacy project ideas may be unique and should be modified to meet the needs of your local community.

How To Organize

Handling the logistics involved with service projects can easily become overwhelming. Calling on the resources available at the BYU Education Society means that you are not alone. But it is also very important to seek out contacts in your local area. You'll discover the relationships you create will be some of the most impactful and memorable parts of your literacy project. As you strive to build relationships through your service, you will come to recognize the joy of ministering!

You can organize participation through your BYU Alumni Chapter, BYU Connect, or your local stakes and wards. Outside the Church network, you could look to coworkers from past or present jobs, friends from book clubs or other social activities, or even people you met from other service projects you have been a part of. Initiating a conversation could be as easy as telling them about your idea and asking if they have any advice or input. Their contributions will help grow your own ideas, and they may take interest and want to help out! You may be surprised at how willing people are to get behind a good cause.

It's a good idea to at least have a few people helping to plan the project. Delegate tasks that are better suited for someone else’s skillset. Meet regularly with your colleagues to review progress made and tasks needed. This will significantly speed up the amount of time it takes to pull something together. It will also help to keep you accountable to your literacy project goals.

The Best Way to Spread the Word

Now that you have a project and people to help you, it's time to raise awareness! The BYU Education Society is ready to help with marketing materials developed by BYU students specifically for literacy projects. Feel free to use these materials however you see fit. Fill out an interest form to receive access to marketing templates for emails, flyers, posters, and social media posts.

Some ideas for places to look for help are local Facebook groups, HOA meetings, school district meetings, your local stakes and wards, or the workplace. These gathering places are not simply for handing out flyers, however. Tell people who you are, what you are doing, and why. What makes your project different from others? Who are you serving?

A sometimes lesser used, but extremely valuable communication tool is local businesses and government. Especially when literacy education is involved, speaking with business owners can be as easy as making a quick call and setting up a time to talk about the service project. Try reaching out to local newspapers or news stations to help get the word out further.

Where To Look for Funding

If your project requires funding, there are many ways to find it. Just as connecting with local businesses and government can be effective for gaining awareness, these same organizations are a great source of donations. Setting up a time to meet with a local city representative is a wonderful way of looking at options. Even if your city cannot help financially, they can often direct you towards someone who can.

While contacting local businesses can also be an effective means of getting funding, an even more productive use of time may be contacting your local branch of the Better Business Bureau. Many mom-and-pop shops are accredited patrons of the BBB and can be contacted en masse through a simple newsletter.

Not all contributions must be financial either. Food trucks are often happy to show up for a quick snack on the day of the event, if you have a project in a specific location. Offices may take a day off of work to come and help you. Never underestimate the impact you alone can have. Oftentimes, the tasks that seem daunting upfront can be eliminated quickly through a simple phone call or meeting.

How the Education Society Can Help You

The Education Society is here to offer help. Below are some of the general resources available:

Marketing Materials ~ The BYU McKay School of Education has a team of students who have created top-notch marketing materials for your project. Posters, flyers, emails, and social media posts are all available. Simply fill out a BYU Education Society interest form to get in touch!

Networking ~ BYU Connect is used by BYU alumni to connect with each other and current BYU students. We encourage you to use this valuable tool when looking for help. The BYU McKay School is also in contact with it’s own graduates and can help you find BYU education alumni near you!

SEEL (Systematic and Engaging Early Literacy) ~ SEEL is a renowned learning tool for early readers. With its capacity to teach both at home and school using a unique co-op teaching method, parents and teachers alike can grow closer with their young readers through fun games and activities. SEEL provides free training online to help show this powerful tool and how it can be implemented. It is free and we encourage you to check it out!

Book Lists ~ The BYU McKay School’s distinguished faculty have provided lists of essential children’s books. Based on current research, these books are a joy not only for children, but also for the adults reading with them. Many of the books on this list are being incorporated into SEEL’s lesson plans and are accessible through the BYU Education Society’s resources page.