As we begin the year 2001, I look forward to great things ahead. The SPCUG has maneuvered though a financial crisis, and now has enough funding to consider lowering dues. Our membership rolls have stopped shrinking, and have even been increasing beyond expectation.
And then, at the December General meeting, I heard a very hope-filled and informative report from our new Sacramento Chamber of Commerce Liaison, Roy Korb. Roy recently volunteered for this newly-created volunteer position, and he has wasted no time in getting our group recognized by this high-profile business organization.
All fifty-plus volunteers of the SPCUG have done a terrific job of bringing us through the year 2000. These were people with jobs and families and other activities to look after, but who have made time for our regular group duties and new challenges. By the way, I think electing President Milt Hull has worked out very well in rallying the group together though these uplifting, but challenging times. Thanks go out to all the volunteers. I look forward to great things ahead.
New Volunteers
Janice Chung has volunteered to be our new Calendar Editor. The calendar is published monthly in our newsletter publications. Janice will be editing the 2 1/2 month calendar found in the back of Sacra Blue, and also will edit the Chapter and SIG meeting list. If you have calendar entries for Janice, please send them to Ken Hopkins until new contact information is published. Thanks Janice!
Volunteer Thanks
Mary Lint has been a quiet, productive and reliable volunteer for years. You may have met Mary years ago as an SPCUG Ad Rep, or at a Microsoft Extreme event taking registrations as a group volunteer. But more recently, you would have found Mary at the Educational Training Materials table loaning videotapes, books, and CDs to our members during the General meeting. Mary has faithfully lugged around the large and heavy black case for at least two years, bringing it each month to the meeting so we have access to a large variety of donated educational materials. This position was another very successful element created from the Educational Outreach Committee, but it was Mary that put it all together for us.
Volunteer Openings
Please take a look at the following volunteer openings. If you think you can help, contact the "contact person" for that position, or e-mail Stan.
1. We need several volunteers who will visit as many computer stores as possible on a monthly basis, and ask them to have our membership information available to their customers. If we could get into the big stores like Frys, CompUSA, and Computer Warehouse, we would probably get a lot of coverage.
Other big computer sellers include office stores like OfficeMax, Staples, and Office Depot. Also, include electronic stores like Good Guys, Circuit City, Best Buys, and even Radio Shack. Then the other computer specific stores like the Gateway stores and all the mom-and-pop computer stores. Contact: Ken Hopkins
2. An additional volunteer(s) will be needed to do the research on area computer stores for an "area guide to computer stores" booklet. We would want to know the name of the store, all of their locations in the area (and phone numbers), the product lines they carry, and any additional stuff we think of.
We’ll want to include a consultant section in the guide as well. This would be updated and published periodically as a PDF. This would be a handy resource for everyone. We could sell ad space in this publication, but not require it for entry. We would create a form for the volunteer or the store to fill out. Contact: Ken Hopkins
3. More newsletter writers are needed for Sacra Blue and eBlue. You would be writing tips for a tips column (may also be used as filler). Also would write news articles about current events. Evaluate hardware and/or software and write product reviews, and write stories on how you solved some computer problem. Contact: Ken Hopkins
I am sure you will find volunteer work for the group very rewarding, and it could even create some interesting opportunities for you. You may be surprised how little time is involved in some of the positions that hold great benefit for the group.
To contact Stan Morris by phone: 921-6414.
