OCALS announces literacy organization will disband

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Board members of OCALS met for their annual meeting Thursday night at Hoag Library, for what would become their last meeting. Citing effects of Covid, the board voted nearly unanimously to disband, effective at the end of the year.  Board president Pam Schuner, standing, addresses members who are, clockwise from left front, OCALS founder Rose Ruck, Ann McElwee, Nicole Goodrich, Jackie Keller, Don Colquhoun, Carolyn Wagner, Catherine Hooker, Penny Nice, Terry Novak and Don Ruck.

ALBION – Action taken by OCALS at their annual meeting Thursday night at Hoag Library was something none of them could have seen coming five years ago, announced board president Pam Schuner.

In a nearly unanimous vote, the board voted to dissolve the organization, effective Dec. 31.

“The mission of OCALS is to provide free confidential tutoring services to residents of Orleans County who want to improve their reading, writing and English speaking skills, along with improving their digital literacy proficiency,” Schuner said. “Unfortunately, the aftermath of Covid has severely impacted OCALS’s ability to achieve this mission. Since Covid (in 2020), the number of volunteer tutors has decreased to three and, likewise, the number of clients requesting our services has declined significantly as well.”

Don and Rose Ruck, who founded OCALS in 2006, were praised for their support of literacy in Orleans County and presented with a plaque during the final board meeting.

During the past several years, the board has taken numerous steps to increase OCALS’ presence in the community and recruit tutors, clients and board members. They have participated in the Orleans County Home and Garden Show, Medina’s Canal Village Farmers’ Market, Strawberry Festival in Albion, Orleans County 4-H Fair, Medina’s National Night Out and Medina’s Lions’ Vendor Fair during the Community Yard Sale.

They also hired Kathy Punch, an educator, who did more than 30 public presentations to promote OCALS throughout the county. This resulted in one new board member, Schuner said.

“Despite all our efforts, we have not seen an increase in potential new tutors, clients or board members,” Schuner said.

Added to their woes is the fact a majority of their board members with five to 10 years of service have decided to retire at the end of the year. With no replacements on hand, the remaining few board members will not be able to continue to run OCALS, Schuner said.

OCALS was started by Rose Ruck and her husband Don when, in 2003, after closing of Literacy Orleans, she sent out a survey regarding literacy in the county. She was amazed to learn most people in the county did not realize there was no literacy program. With a career spanning 35 years in the literacy field, including in Orleans and Genesee counties, Rose knew she had to do something.

She solicited some volunteers and officially launched Orleans County Literacy Services in 2006, with initial funding coming from the Ruck’s two daughters, Terry Novak and Donna Seyler.

As their services increased and they began serving a bigger segment of the population, the name was changed to Orleans County Adult Learning Services, or OCALS.

Schuner was the first paid employee, hired in 2010, and the only one for a number of years.

Dedicated board members included Ann McElwee, who developed a program she took to schools, Iroquois Job Corps and Lyndonville Library.

Don Colquhoun promoted literacy in workplaces and became vice president and treasurer.

Mary Lee Knights, who recently moved away, and Penny Nice were board members since the early years of OCALS.

“I’m so proud of all we’ve accomplished,” Rose said. “And although it’s sad, I’m totally in favor of this decision to dissolve the organization.”

According to law, a non-profit has to follow very strict procedures to dissolve. Colquhoun has been working with attorney Lance Mark to determine the correct steps to take.

This includes disposing of all its assets, and OCALS has identified a handful of local agencies who will benefit from their donations.

All office supplies will be donated to the Ministry of Concern; digital literacy backpacks, laptops, kindles and iPads will be donated to Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Digital Literacy program; Pre-K curriculum will go to P’Raising Kids; all their books will go to the Cobblestone Society; all tents, tables and chairs will be donated to the Lions Club; tablecloths and knickknacks have been given to Medina Area Association of Churches; all other outreach materials, such as a prize wheel, balloon pumps and ballon sticks will be given to Community Action.

After payment of any debts, funds will be distributed to agencies which have supported OCALS, including United Way, $30,000; Lyndonville Area Foundation, $15,000; and the Medina Sandstone Society, $1,000.

Schuner personally thanked each and every person who touched OCALS and the local communities in some way throughout OCALS’ tenure, especially Don and Rose Ruck. She presented the Ruck’s with the “Lighting the Way Legacy Award.”

“Your passion has touched the lives of all who had a role in OCALS,” Schuner said.

“It is with heavy heart the board of directors has determined we are unable to keep OCALS active,” Schuner added.