In February 1990, several women met to consider the need for a literacy tutoring
service in Siloam Springs.

At this meeting, held at the home of Judy Wright, were: Pat Perona, Virginia
Lollar, Corinne Marshall, and Grace Dodgen. Laurine Barnett, Judy Wright and Sue
Ryan. Laurine and Grace had taken the Laubach tutor training several years prior to this
but no formal organization existed at this time. This group of women met twice a month
for several months, inviting anyone who might be interested to attend. Meetings were
held in homes of the ladies of the group. After considering options, it was decided to
incorporate as a nonprofit organization and seek 501/C status from the IRS.
Certification of the incorporation of domestic nonprofit corporation was granted
to the Dogwood Literacy Council, Siloam Springs, Arkansas, July 8, 1990.


The first tutor training session was held May 4 and 5, 1990, at the Siloam Springs
High School on a Friday evening and all day Saturday. Efforts of the Board were directed primarily at publicity and informing the community of the services. Funds for a telephone and materials for the tutor training class were donated by Arkansas State Bank, Wal-Mart, Kiwanis and an anonymous donor. Services were donated by Food-4-Less and First National Bank.
A telephone was installed at the Senior Center on West Tulsa at Heritage Heights.
The coordinator there, Lynn Showalter, agreed to have a volunteer answer the phone and
forward calls to local board members. Meetings were held at the Senior Center. Tutoring
was held at the Senior Center, Franklin Electric and Siloam Springs Airport.
February 1991, Bret Smith of the Original Smith Furniture at 211 N. Broadway
offered to let the Literacy Council use a room on the second floor as an office. The
Board voted to pay $25/month rent for it and Pat Perona was hired to have the office
open one day a week. She was to be paid $5/per hour. Nancy Marsh acted as coordinator
from the fall of 1990 until Pat Perona, the office staff person, assumed the duties in
March 1991. Yvonne Bruner volunteered to serve as Secretary and Jo VanLaningham
volunteered to serve as Treasurer.
By April 1991, 13 new readers had been tutored. Sources of the new readers
enrolling were radio advertisements, newspaper articles, Telethons, Dial O for Literacy
and the Dept. of Human Services.
Grace Dodgen resigned from her position on the Board but continued to support
the Council. Corinne Marshall resigned, and Judy Wright moved from Siloam Springs.
Primarily through the efforts of Pat Perona, the Council received funding from
grants from the Arkansas Literacy Council, United Way and Chesney Fund. Additional
funds were collected through membership dues and various fund-raising activities.
A tutor training session was held in November 1991, at the Siloam Springs
Airport, taught by Joy Reid of the Ozark Literacy Council in Fayetteville, Ark. Ten
persons were certified as tutors at that time. Another was held at the First Baptist Church
of Gentry in March 1992, taught by Joy Reid. Maggie Merkyl conducted a workshop
featuring a method of teaching children using a modified Laubach program.
The Board of DLC voted in its formation to become a part of the National
Laubach Literacy Action and still maintained this membership until 2000. Membership
has been continued as finances have allowed.
A committee of Marge Brown and Paul Elliott was asked by the Board Chairman
to review the original by-laws and develop changes that were needed for clarification.
These were presented and accepted by the Board in March 1992.
Pat Perona arranged for the art class at the high school to make posters for the
Council. They also designed bookmarkers for us. Sherri Lamb, a teacher at the Gentry
School, had her students design a brochure for us. The National Honor Society in Gentry
also designed a large poster (approx. 4’by 6′) for us to display in our office. Don
Gouldie donated a limited-edition print and one half of the framing cost, to be raffled for
a fund raising. A friend of Virginia Lollar, who wished to remain anonymous, donated
$300 in the early months of the organization.
Joy Reid has been a mentor and has always been helpful with any questions.
Although she is now retired from her position with the Ozark Literacy, she continues to
tutor.
The Board members have worked well together to accomplish goals.
In Summary, the citizens of Siloam Springs have been very supportive of the
DLC from the beginning.