SeniorNet partners with
US Department of Interior Office of Indian Energy and
Economic Development (IEED) at the RES 09 Summit Click here for more information
SeniorNet at FSL, L.I. (SN at FSL) has reached a proud milestone - it is 10-years YOUNG. Young, because while many organizations its age would have already seen its' best years, SN at FSL's list of achievements is still growing. Since 1999, when its founders first met, it has blossomed into a thriving organization that operates two centers - the main one in Huntington NY and an Annex just opened in East Yaphank, NY. It currently has over 100 active volunteers who offer 27 computer courses annually while they and their predecessors taught an astounding 5,000+ students in the past decade. For the Fall 2009 semester, 12 different courses will be taught in 17 separate sessions. In addition, for the first time, homebound students will be provided LIVE instruction on their home computers via internet connection. SN at FSL was named the #1 Learning Center in SeniorNet's worldwide organization receiving the 2007 Chairman Award in Excellence and it was the recipient of the Chairman 2008 Exemplary Award. After 10-years one might think that SN at FSL would be fatigued and on the decline. The opposite is of course true. The question is - Why?
We are very excited to work with AT&T in their ongoing efforts to educate seniors on wireless technology.
Earlier this month, Learning Center Coordinators were contacted via Circle of Friends and invited to participate on a joint (AT&T and SeniorNet) conference call that will occur on October 7th & 8th. The purpose of these conference calls is to lay the groundwork for our centers to participate.
All centers must register for the conference call before October 2nd.
The actual AT&T education includes one -on -one coaching by AT&T volunteers. Seniors can bring in their phones -- no matter which carrier they are with -- and ask any questions they wish, from instructions on text messaging, setting up voicemail and various best practices for inbound and outbound calling.
*** Special Message to the thousands of valuable SeniorNet Volunteers and Members .....please follow up with your center leaders to get the details about this offering from AT&T.
We look forward to seeing some great pictures from these sessions.
Thanks
Leslie M. Smith
Chairman
SeniorNet Learning Center Video
Thanks to Don Hogan of the Roswell, Georgia SeniorNet Learning Center for sharing his interview on the Public Service Channel of Atlanta Comcast. This is just one example of how a SeniorNet Learning Center can publilize their Learning Center.
SeniorNet Board Member Receives Grant
Jose-Pablo Fernandez, SeniorNet Board Member and Founder of Parents Alliance receives grant for his valuable work in helping underserved and low-income parents in schools.
Jose-Pablo is an Ashoka Fellow, he was awarded the Civic Ventures-Purpose Prize, and has received "Special Congressional Recognition" for his devotion to the Hispanic Community in Houston.
On Thursday, April 9th, 2009, SeniorNet was pleased to release the Leadership Exchange upgrade. The Leadership Exchange is a key component in the effort to provide education and access to computer technology through SeniorNet Learning Centers by providing Curriculum Support, Software, Marketing Exchange Support and sharing best practices.
Leslie M. Smith, SeniorNet Chairman of the Board of Directors stated, "The migration to our new website platform allows us to utilize the most recent developments in administrative management tools, and provides the benefit of being able to quickly and easily upload and incorporate new course material and revisions to the curriculum."
Additional security features provide the capability to monitor individual usage of the Leadership Exchange, as well as the ability to collect statistical data which will help to make more timely and efficient use of the Leadership Exchange.
Vision Problems Affect Over 20 Million People In This Country
Vision loss in the U.S. is rapidly becoming a crisis of epidemic proportions since large numbers of older persons are experiencing age related vision loss from such conditions as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts (afb.org/seniorsite/understandingvisionloss). People with vision loss are twice as likely to fall and twice as likely to break a hip when they fall. Loss of vision affects all areas of every day life such as driving, reading, and even taking prescriptions.
These problems are not insurmountable. The American Foundation for the Blind has developed an online information center (afb.org/seniorsite) that provides commonsense solutions to living with vision loss. It offers hope, help and encouragement to both people experiencing vision problems and their family members (afb.org/seniorsite/familyguide) and provides links to local agencies that can help (afb.org/seniorsite/directory)
For more information about demographic information pertaining to seniors with vision loss, visit AFB's Statistical Snapshots at www.afb.org/stats.
For more news items like this from the American Foundation for the Blind, please visit the AFB section of the SeniorNet site.
SeniorNet Receives Major Microsoft Grant
Microsoft Corporation Awards SeniorNet
Software Grant Valued at $1,458,820
Greetings SeniorNet Volunteers and Members!
Though the world is in an economic crisis and several corporations are ceasing contributions and grants to nonprofit organizations, we have an exceptional announcement to make, that proves the continued value and relevance of SeniorNet's mission and validates the efforts and perisistence of SeniorNet's Staff and Board of Directors.
Seniornet Headquarters is extremely pleased to announce that Microsoft Corporation has awarded SeniorNet a major grant in operating systems and software. Our long-standing partnership and an extremely good relationship with Microsoft Corporation have paid off.
As part of the Microsoft Unlimited Potential - Community Technology Skills program focused on imroving IT skills for underserved individuals and communities through community technology centers, Microsoft is generously donating copies of Microsoft Vista Business and Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007 for every SeniorNet Learning Center in good standing.
Below is an excerpt from the grant award letter:
"Microsoft and its employees have long recognized the importance of being engaged in supporting communities around the world. Through our Unlimited Potential commitment to bring technology to the next 5 billion people, Microsoft seeks to reach the first billlion people by 2015. The Microsoft Unlimited Potential - Community Technology Skills program focuses on imporving IT skills for underserved individuals and communities through community technology centers or telecenters. By offering grants of cash, software, and curriculum we can partner to create social and economic opportunities that can change peoples' lives and transform communities."
SeniorNet is grateful to Microsoft Corporation for this very generous grant. This is a fantastic way to kick off 2009 and we look forward to sharing many more exciting announcements!
Jodi Lyons Leslie M. Smith
SeniorNet Executive Director SeniorNet Board Chairman
Future Technology From One of Our Sponsors...
IBM Reveals Five Innovations That Will Change Our Lives in the Next Five Years
"Five in Five" is a list of innovations that have the potential to change the way people work,live and play over the next five years:
Energy saving solar technology will be built into asphalt, paint and windows
You will have a crystal ball for your health
You will talk to the Web...and the Web will talk back
You will have your own digital shopping assistants
Forgetting will become a distant memory
The Next Five in Five is based on maret and societal trends expected to
transform our lives,as well as emerging technologies from IBM's Labs around the world
that can make these innovations possible.
Undoubtedly, 2008 will be remembered as one for the history books. From
the global economic slowdown to political change, the uncertainties have been
rapid and relentless. Some of our centers are faced with unprecedented
challenges – and they need our help more than ever.
Earlier this year we announced the SeniorNet Advisory Council. This
council was created to provide insight, advice and counsel to HQ Staff and
the Board of Directors. I have had the opportunity to interact with the
council members individually and during council conference calls, and it is
abundantly clear that their contributions have been significant . They
have been candid in sharing their opinions of our operations, plans and
future direction.
Their overall value add has been a tremendous asset to SeniorNet going
forward.
We urge you to get to know these leaders. Their expertise may help you in
growing your center.
SeniorNet Advisory Council Members
Court Chilton, Chicago, NE, IL Learning Center -----------------
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Hank Clemente - Hot Springs, AR Learning Center --------------
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Ken Crandall – Puget Sound, WA Learning Center ------------
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Izzy Fromm - Scottsdale, AZ Learning Center---------------------------------
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Bill Souza - San Jose, CA Learning Center -----------------------------
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Slava Vero – Huntington, NY Learning Center ----------------------
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Rev. Joseph K. Williams, Emmaus, DC Learning Center -
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