Roswell SeniorNet Volunteer Meeting

11 September 2007, 1PM

President Don Hogan called the meeting to order at 1302, requesting that the group observe a moment of silence to remember the horrific events of 9/11 2001, and all who died as a result.                                                                          *

Among those attending the meeting in the Roswell Adult Recreation Center Computer lab were George Fuller, Julia Fogel, Howard Goldmacher, Tony Coburn, Bob Nelson, Anne Tilly, John Szedon, David Printz, Oscar Groff, Marge DeBenedetto, Emory Reese, Jerry Moore, Marilyn Blatt, Sally White.

Approval of minutes: Don reminded everyone a copy of the minutes of the June Volunteer meeting is posted on the Roswell SeniorNet website. A motion was put forth to accept the minutes without corrections by Emory Reese, 2nded by Jerry Moore.

Treasurer’s report: Don, on behalf of Larry Campbell, states the submitted treasurer’s report reflected a current monetary asset balance of $20,157.20.  Included in that amount was a checking account balance of over $7000 and $10,000 invested in a CD. There was $2600 of expenditures during the fall session.  Call for a motion to accept the report was made by John Rittenburg, seconded by Marilyn Blatt. Handout distributed which included financial report and class enrollment numbers for Summer and Fall Session

Fall Registration: Fall course schedule is posted on the Roswell SeniorNet website.  Sixty four students are enrolled for the Fall as of Sept. 9, per Bob Nelson.

Quicken –no students enrolled.

Reasons for low demand were discussion by group: teaching version 2006, National SeniorNet has not supplied new versions. Don stated he contacted Quicken directly; the official with the company will possibly supply us with free copies of Quicken 8.0.

Excel – David Printz introduced as new coordinator for Excel—he hopes to continue the course without changes –possible changes after one or two quarters.

Family Tree Maker not offered this fall, 2005 version of software.  JC (Campbell) and Don Hogan will try to resurrect the class in Spring, according to Don.  Version 12 is on our classroom computers, newest version is #16 per Emory Reese. It is unknown if SeniorNet will support or supply new version software or manuals – we cannot legally install one copy to multiple PC’s.

Works – 10 students per Bob Nelson, nametag maker.

Fundamentals – full – (14)- no issues.

Should there be more than 14 persons signed up (inadvertently) refunds shall be offered to anyone that was among the last to sign up.

Memoir Workshop: Memoir Workshop is a pilot program open to volunteer staff only this quarter, lots of openings – please sign up.  Starts Tues. Sept. 18 from 10 am to 12 noon (NOT 6:30 pm as stated in executive meeting notes. Tony outlined briefly reasons for such a class, primarily citing that most seniors do not live close by their children and grandchildren, and the stories we would tell about how life was as we were growing up are not being spoken, or get told with lots of gaps and errors. This class will teach how to use the Word program to put journal entries of memories into words, insert photos, publish with a bound edition suitable for family gifts.  Input by class members will be welcomed and vital to developing the class content.

Classes in development: Digital Camera – “coming along” per Julie Fogel and Jerry Moore. PowerPoint – in development with Brian Perry, per Don.

Tech/Webmaster report: Don, on behalf of himself and Bert Emma, reports the web pages are being kept up-to-date,  volunteer emails are current, schedule of classes are posted as well as minutes to the meetings.  Don says he has added “volunteer profile pages” to tell a bit about our members, their extraordinary accomplishments and qualifications.  An additional tech volunteer has come forward; Bill Petriz pointed out that the alcove computers are out of date and having problems that could be improved with proper maintenance. He has met with Don and Bert and agreed to help maintain those computers using our SeniorNet established protocols and software such as GoBack.

Lab Report: Bob Nelson reports the lab is manned by volunteers. The Fall session sign-up sheet has been circulating in this meeting. During the summer, 32 students, mostly Photoshop Elements students, came to labs.  Bob will email volunteers to fill in slots for coaching which are still vacant.

Fall Staffing report – instructors are assigned. Per Don, on behalf of Jack Thompson, all coaching slots are filled; names are posted on the Roswell SeniorNet website. Instructor’s names have been added to the registration book so those at the registration desk will have that information and be able to reference who is teaching.

Volunteer issues:  There was no orientation this morning for coach volunteers.

Welcome to 4 new SeniorNet volunteers: Louise Lewis, Ramona Mays, Nancy Lawes, and Bill Petritz.

Reminder, there are membership cards (SeniorNet) in the back cabinet (some a year old)

We also have SeniorNet polo shirts, never claimed last year. (Some were distributed to those who wanted one today).

Publicity Report; Lois Dean not present, Fred Wooten is no longer working on that due to full time employment. Lois praised for developing brochures to advertise courses. Help is needed to distribute these to local venues such as libraries. See Jessica at the front desk, she will run off 20 or so for you. David Printz volunteered to distribute some in Roswell. We are in need of a PR person as Lois only is helping prepare copy and layouts.

Sally White suggested we PURCHASE an ad in local papers. There was widespread agreement that that is a good suggestion, perhaps some tech support can come along with that, or that ads might be donated if we negotiate with the ad-editor, or at least a reduced rate.

Don says he was contacted by the AJC and that he hopes our fall schedule will be in the paper this week.

Badges and CD’s report: Bob Nelson states no problems, except badge holders need replacement.  This was approved by Don. Bob will order 100 holders that include fillers.

Room Readiness Report: John Szedon states Printers have been the issue after the last session and cartridges are being replaced. All printers have been tested and seem to be working. New Ink cartridges have been ordered. Bob Nelson states the cartridges have been delivered. Notify Bob or John if a printer needs ink. They will be locked up to prevent unnecessary loss.

Emory Reese returned to the issue of advertising, Sally White agrees we need multiple ways to get out the message, but keep it simple, such as simply inviting the public to “ call and meet their friends to learn about computers.”

Course Coordinator Report:

Internet & Email:  Don reports that Bert needs four coaches, and has them, for a full class enrolled for Internet and Email.

Excel:  David reports wanting to make some changes but not immediately.  David has experience teaching Excel at the Benson Center.

Quicken:  Howard states no students, no class.

Microsoft Works: Julie states there are no problems anticipated.  Anne states to be on the lookout for any students that have problems with home computers that use recent versions of Microsoft Works; they need to convert Works Word Processor documents to Word documents. There are 10 students enrolled, per Bob Nelson.

Fundamentals: Julie states the last class was great. The new class has full enrollment.

Computers for the Terrified: Julie reports there are two students enrolled.

Feedback form: Julie states there were all positive comments, and for the first time, newspaper notices were cited as reasons students found out about classes.

Memoirs Class: Tony states they are ready for the pilot.

Digital Camera: Don states Jerry and Norma are preparing for a future class, not yet on the schedule.

PowerPoint: Don states Brian is working on a manual.

Microsoft Works: Don discusses the point that the current classroom version of Works is 7.0 that uses Word 2002.  Newest versions0 of Works 8.0+ use dedicated Works Word Processor.

Antivirus: Anne states no changes in the current course: manual will be revised after next two sessions. We will use handouts to add any material.  Only two students are enrolled for Fall session.

Photoshop Elements:  Emory states there are 14 students enrolled.  The version of P.E. is 5.0.  They use Phillip Andrews’ book Photoshop Elements A to Z, $29.99 through Barnes and Noble, $20 through group discount when taking the class. The text is concise and in alphabetical order per camera issue. Sarasota Seniornet manual is not used. Four coaches are assigned most travel and usually there are only 3 that come to class but they know the material very well.

Exploring Windows – no issues per George Fuller.

Microsoft Word – no issues per John Szedon.

Other Business:

Memoirs Pilot was discussed in detail by Tony Coburn: states they are not using Family Tree Maker. Class will discuss what we talk about, what the grandchildren will want to know about us, but we don’t live close enough to have those conversations. There will be a small journal for notes and reminders between classes, and help in class to write about those thoughts. The class will use Microsoft Word; will teach how to import photos. Produce a published bound document so your name is not just a name and date on a chart 100 years from now, they will know your story.  Currently 6 enrolled. Open to volunteer staff- Tony and Julie and Norma want a full class.  Class meets 10am to 12 on Tuesdays.  In Winter, Thursdays at 6:30.

 

 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Bob Nelson reports that the slate of officers for 2008 is:

John Szedon – President

Jerry Moore – Vice President

Anne Tilly – Secretary

Brian Perry – Treasurer

Other nominations from the floor were entertained; there were none.

Motion to close the nominations made by John Rittenburg, seconded.

Moved by John to accept the nominations unanimously, motioned carried by all members present.

Membership:  SeniorNet membership cards will be available in November. The list is sent to National SeniorNet by the volunteer coordinator then. There are currently about 77 members listed on the website.

That list of names is under the “Volunteers Only” section of the site which requires a password. Call the Secretary or one of the officers if you want the password.

Don expressed his gratitude for the efforts of the Executive Committee and all of the Volunteers during his two years as President.

No further business noted, the meeting was adjourned by Don Hogan at 1402.

Respectfully submitted, Anne Tilly, for Howard Goldmacher  11 September 2007