At the founding meeting in 1998 (See "VALUE’s Beginnings"), members wrote the beginnings of a mission statement to guide the new organization. Several months later, in February 1999, the VALUE board met for two days in Washington, D.C. to do further planning. The National Institute for Literacy provided space and covered other costs for the meeting.

The board stated that VALUE’s mission should be to expand the role of adult learners in adult literacy efforts in the United States.

The board also identified several ways that adult learners can serve as leaders in U.S. literacy efforts. Learners can help with:

1. Recruitment of new learners into adult education programs.
2. Retention of learners in programs by providing support so learners don’t drop out.
3. Resource development (by educating policy makers, other funders, and the public about the need to invest in adult education).
4. Reforming education by getting involved in their adult education programs (on boards and advisory committees) and in their local schools (on their PTAs, etc.)

Since that 1999 meeting, VALUE’s board also identified another way learners can help:

5. Research (by collecting and analyzing information needed by adult education programs).

These are "The 5 Rs" of learner leadership, five ways that learners can get involved as leaders. (We are gradually expanding this list.) It is VALUE’s mission to help adult learners become effective leaders in their education programs. From that experience, learners can then apply their leadership skills in their communities, workplaces, and families.

Revised 8/9/01