SeniorNet the subject of the July General Meeting
by Troy Segler
We had an interesting meeting at the July general meeting. Kristen
Fabos, who is the Executive Director of SeniorNet painted a picture of
the beginning of SeniorNet and its accomplishments to
date, along with some challenging comments about the organization’s
future.
The article by Doris in the June issue of our website provides much of
the background relating to Kristen. SeniorNet began in 1986 and
Oklahoma City entered into a relationship with them in 1989 when our
learning center was funded. The size and scope of learning centers
varies greatly. One center is busy almost daily with training of
people as beginners in learning to use computers all the way to
mastering complex program applications enabling senior adults to
become proficient at working for volunteer organizations and in some
cases, assuming full time employment with pay and benefits.
During the next 3 years three new learning centers will be funded and
in place. The number is gradually growing as corporations and
individuals provide money to empower SeniorNet to build where needs
arrive.
Some 5000 members of the more than 25,000 enrolled in SeniorNet have
volunteered to train their peers in computer applications. More than 1
million individuals have been involved in our learning centers. The
official SeniorNet web site is reported to receive about 2 million
visits per month. A course in Cyber Security is evolving so our
seniors can learn how to protect themselves from computer predators.
Across the country only 8 percent of the active members are
minorities. Plans are to create new learning centers in rural
communities and on Native American reservations. Polls indicate that
some 72 percent of SeniorNet members are volunteering in their
communities. Estimates are that about 68 percent of seniors over 65
years of age have not been on the internet, while about 70 percent of
the 55-65 age group use the internet for email and keeping up with
their individual interests at sites on the internet.
Kristen met with the Thursday morning group and discussed some of the
events she is involved with and then spoke to the general meeting
about the history and future plans.
At the evening meeting visitor Bill Phillips received a membership in
the computer club and Artilee Telesious received a copy of Click and
Burn.
Member Don Taylor received a copy of PhotoShop Elements; Connie Magill
and Gary Skill were recipients of a 1 gbit flash drive. June Ranney
took home a copy of Quicken, and Coy Mobley got a copy of Family Tree
Maker. Unfortunately there were no pictures taken of the winners.
Similar prizes were distributed at the morning SNUG meeting. Also at
both meetings several persons received a T-Shirt commemorating the
20th anniversary of SeniorNet, pens marked with the SeniorNet logo and
mouse pads.
All in all, it was a great day. Oh, yes, following the morning
meeting, a buffet was provided by the club and volunteers in honor of
those members who had a birthday during the first half of 2006.
See you next month. Troy Segler, club scribe.