February 17
Tech Talk
Topic: Wireless
Location: Kawabe House
221 18th AV S
Cost: $5 for nonmembers
Noon - 1:30 p.m.

Tech Talk is an informal luncheon discussion group held the third Tuesday of the month. In each session the group explores a different topic relating to the technical challenges of running a community technology lab. Bring your questions and experience.

For more information, visit www.psact.org or call (206) 850-1502.

SCN BIRTHDAY PARTY
Saturday, February 14, 2004
9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
The STAR Center
2121 - 26th Avenue South
Seattle

Originally a project of the Seattle Chapter of Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR), Seattle Community Network went live in 1994. In 1995, the Seattle Community Network Association (SCNA) was incorporated as a separate non-profit organization. You are invited to bring your wallets. SCN is still an all-volunteer organization and they do not depend on grants to keep going. Their primary source of funds are the contributions made by their donors.

"Building Connected Communities: The Power of People & Technology" is the theme of CTCNet thirteenth national conference to be held in the Puget Sound (SeaTac & Seattle) June 10-13, 2004. You’re invited to attend a volunteer kickoff rally and breakfast on Thursday, February 26, 9 - 11:30 a.m. at Delridge Community Center, 4501 Delridge way SW.

Meredith Blache from the Highpoint CTC has been named the Washington-based conference coordinator. She’s sending out the call to “Come celebrate and discuss what we can do to make this conference the best one ever!” Volunteering is a great way to get into the conference. Contact Meredith Blache at (206) 271-1600 or mablache@ctcnet.org RSVP for the kickoff and you will be entered into the door prize drawing.

SEATTLE — Seattle’s Department of Information Technology is seeking applications for the Bill Wright Technology Matching Fund (TMF). This year the City will award approximately 9 -15 grants of up to $10,000 each from a total fund of $85,000. Seattle neighborhood groups and organizations are encouraged to apply for funds for projects which increase technology literacy and access. The City is also encouraging “electronic democracy” projects which use information and communications technology to support their effort to increase resident participation in community problem solving.

The application deadline is 5 p.m., March 8, 2004. Applications and guidelines are available on-line at seattle.gov/tech/tmf; at Neighborhood Service Centers; or by calling the Department of Information Technology, Community Technology at (206) 684-0600.

According to Mayor Greg Nickels, “This program is an important tool in the City’s effort to improve access to government for all our residents.”

The Technology Matching Fund was established in 1997 to support the community’s efforts to close the digital divide and encourage a technology-healthy city. The City recently renamed the matching fund in memory of Bill Wright, a Central District community leader who embodied the program’s goal of creating digital opportunity for all and the use of technology tools to build strong neighborhoods.

Local groups are encouraged to think creatively about how they can better use technology to meet the needs of their communities. “Enabling training and access to technology in our most disadvantaged communities continues to be a priority,” says Chief Technology Officer, William Schrier. “This year we are also looking to fund projects that help residents get involved. There are many interesting ways that tools like email and the Internet can help solve problems, while increasing communication between citizens and government.”

Here are some examples of prior year grant successes:

Jack Straw Productions is the Northwest's only non-profit multidisciplinary audio arts center. Last year, they used $10,000 to enable blind and visually impaired adults to record and edit their own radio programs and audio projects. According to executive director Joan Rabinowitz, "Jack Straw Productions is looking forward to providing artists, engineers, and other blind and visually impaired community members with more in-depth opportunities to create and produce their own audio work with this new accessible workstation. Sighted musician and engineer Mo Provencher and blind musician and engineer Todd Houghton, Jack Straw's core team for this new accessible equipment, have recently completed their own training with guest engineer Gordon Kent of Dancing Dots in Washington D.C. We're very grateful to the Department of Information Technology for helping us to provide this new accessible digital workstation, the first in the region."

Helping Link used $24,000 in 2002 to establish an educational computer program for the Vietnamese community, including youth, adults and elders. The computer lab complements Helping Link's youth tutoring program and ESL classes. Helping Link/Mot Dau Noi is a Vietnamese grassroots community based organization that provides social, cultural and educational programs to empower the Vietnamese people in practical and effective ways. According to executive director Minh-Duc Nguyen, "Our computer classes are very popular, especially with adults and elders who are very enthusiastic about learning new skills. Most have limited English ability and do not have any prior experience with computers. We are blessed to have such wonderful instructors. They are incredibly patient, especially considering some of them have to teach technical skills while also working with interpreters to overcome the language barrier. The success of these classes and the demand for them speaks volumes about both the community and our volunteers!"

The Boys & Girls Club used $7,500 in 2003 for their Techmobile to provide classes to increase media literacy for Seattle youths. City support enabled the Techmobile project to offer 400 youths (8-18) the opportunity to increase media literacy and develop their own video/media productions, including community related media service announcements. The 30-foot retrofitted Winnebago has eight networked computer stations, two printers, a digital camera, and an array of educational and professional software titles. To date, more than 5,500 lessons have been taught to 3,500 children at more than 60 different locations in greater Puget Sound.

Sample project lists are available, and applicants are encouraged to contact city staff with their ideas at communitytechnology@seattle.gov or by calling (206) 233-2751.

Make plans to attend the HUD Neighborhood Networks Regional Technical Assistance Workshop slated for March 10 - 12 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Seattle. Learn strategies for success and opportunities to learn new skills, meet fellow Neighborhood Networks center staff and property managers, and determine what best practices will work in your program. You will gain knowledge to help sustain your center and meet its goals.

In the case of over-enrollment, preference will be given to representatives from Neighborhood Networks centers. All others are welcome to occupy any extra seats. To register by phone, contact the Neighborhood Networks Information Center toll-free at (888) 312-2743 or TTY (800) 483-2209. Online registration is now available.

Fremont Public Association (FPA) is looking for schools and agencies to participate as Site Sponsors who will provide clearly defined, structured opportunities for an AmeriCorps or VISTA volunteer. FPA accepts applications only once each year from non-profit groups, public agencies and schools interested in having a full-time National Service volunteer work with your organization - and the time to apply is now. This RFP includes not only MLK VISTA, but Justserve Americorps, and the Service Learning VISTA program.

If you are interested in pursuing this opportunity, please call Tracy Madsen, National Service Program Assistant at (206) 694-6824 to request an application. All Applications must be received by February 20 at 5:00 p.m.