The Midland Area Reading Council (MARC) is in desperate need of a few good tutors.

While the number of students using their one-on-one tutoring service seems to be growing, the number of tutors available has been dwindling in recent years, according to Jennifer Ellis, program co-ordinator/instructor for MARC.

Ellis has 90 regular adult students. However, because of the shortage, only 75 are able to take advantage of the program.

“I am hesitant to go after some of the students who have been inactive for awhile because I just don’t have enough tutors.”

Ellis says she recently held a volunteer workshop and had only eight people attend. She was also forced to cut back in the number of times she offers the workshops.

“In the past, we would do it twice a year, and have about 20 to 25 people come in … we’ve had to cancel the fall workshop because there just aren’t enough people interested (in volunteering).”

With only 25 tutors currently volunteering, Ellis says that leaves more than 20 students on a waiting list anxious to get started with their learning process.

“We try to encourage students to attend small group tutoring, but the real value of the service provided here is the one-on-one. They get a really individualized and customized learning plan, and the lessons can be geared to their actual growth,” she says. “Many of (the students) have learning disabilities, so group tutoring is just not the best way for them to learn.”

One of the reasons behind the decline in the number of volunteers, notes Ellis, is the fact that MARC asks for more than a short-term commitment from its volunteers.

“It’s definitely a challenge for us and for tutors because we do ask a lot more than a lot of the other organizations (require),” she says. “We ask for an ongoing commitment, usually one year.”

Tutors are also required to take part in a 15-hour tutor training session as well as police background checks. Another possibility, she says, is that there are just so many organizations looking for volunteers.

“More organizations, due to a lack of funding, are asking for volunteers. They (volunteers) are being asked to do more and more, and are stretched thin.”

Despite the requirements needed to become a tutor, Ellis says it’s worth the little bit of effort in the long run.

“It’s quite rewarding to see someone learn to read and then read for pleasure,” she says, adding it’s also a great way to challenge yourself. “You’re responsible for putting together the lesson plans, plus, it’s just really self satisfying.”

Tutors generally meet with students between two and three hours a week, with about one hour of prep time needed before each session. Subjects vary between reading comprehension, math, computers – to name merely a few.

For more information on how to become a volunteer tutor, call Ellis at 527-1522.