Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. and Laubach Literacy International Authorize Merger Discussions

One of the recommendations of the strategic planning process that LVA undertook last summer with assistance from KPMG Consulting, Inc. was that LVA explore opportunities for strategic alliances with other organizations. We believe that LVA has a unique opportunity to effectuate a successful strategic alliance at this time, due in part to the visibility and credibility of LVA Accreditation in the adult education and literacy system.

To that end, the LVA, Inc. Board of Directors appointed a Merger Inquiry Task Force to research potential candidates. The Task Force met during November, December, and January, researched several potential merger candidates, and made its recommendation to the LVA, Inc. Board of Directors on February 9, 2001. A Resolution of the LVA, Inc. Board is the result of that process.

This announcement marks the beginning of a journey for both organizations that we hope will culminate in a very positive change for the adult education and literacy field. If we are successful in negotiating a merger of our organizations, we hope to speak more effectively on behalf of volunteer and community based literacy providers nationwide, and to advocate more effectively for increased resources and public awareness in support of the cause of adult literacy and the efforts of all of our organizations.

The targeted timeline for the completion of negotiations will be the end of April. The outcome of those negotiations will be reported to each organization's Board at its regularly scheduled Board meeting in May. We will post further developments to the LVA website as we are able to do so.