BBS Sysop
Frank Leonard built our Sacra Bytes BBS and has operated the message board system continuously for at least since I became a member of the SPCUG over six years ago. When reflecting back on pre-Internet days, I've often talked about how much the group depended on the BBS in the past for "backbone" communications. It was certainly one of the most demanding of our volunteer positions, requiring daily updating and file checks and major hardware change-outs from time to time. Frank was always very responsible about the task. Several times Frank popped up on my screen, while I was online late at night, as a new member fumbling my way through the BBS menu, in order help me find my way through the system to try out a new option. I was very impressed, and very surprised when his typing would begin to magically appear across my screen.
At 9 a.m. on Thursday, September 9, 1999, Frank will shut down the BBS according to the Steering Committee's direction. His volunteer efforts with this project, not to mention the other major positions he holds, can be applauded and will be thought respectfully of for many years to come by many of our members, you can rest assured. Thanks, Frank, for many years of devotion to one of the group's main lines of communication, for staying up late at night so we could sleep knowing our messages were safely off to their recipients and for the several hours a night you put in to give us all a voice online.
Build It and They Will Come
Last month I announced that Web team members are needed for the monthly production of eBlue, our online magazine. We needed several more members to relieve some of the pressure from our present Web team and to build eBlue into an even better online magazine than it already has become. Well, volunteers came forth right away at the July General Meeting, five in all, ready to learn and take on this new challenge. Kathy Anderson, Tim Cardozo, Edwin Holloway, Margaret Luthringer and Martin Stevenson are on the job and have started sending in edited eBlue site files for upload. I thank them for putting themselves on the line, as eBlue,like Sacra Blue, has a deadline to meet each month and a lot of members depend on their responsibility to the job.
New Volunteers
We also have a new Webmaster! As of the August Steering Committee meeting, Brian Smither will take the reins from temporary Webmaster, Yours Truly, to maintain the group's general Web site and head up the validation and upload duties of the eBlue Web site. This is a major and long-term volunteer undertaking, as many of us already know, and Brian's volunteer spirit is greatly appreciated. Brian also continues to serve as our Software Librarian.
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Volunteer Efforts
Carol Harris did some temporary volunteer work for us at the last General Meeting by selling books written by one of our speakers, Michael Hiltzik, and the copies were picked up and delivered by Frank Leonard, so we would have some stock on hand for the members after the author's talk. Marsha Leonard volunteered again this year to arrange for, bring and serve the group's three birthday cakes to celebrate our anniversary at the General Meeting. Thanks Carol and Marsha for picking up the slack.
I hear all the time from our members what a wonderful job the volunteers are doing. Thanks to everyone for making my job an enjoyable experience. I hope you can have some fun with your volunteer work as well.
Volunteer Needs
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. Please take a look at the NEW job openings below. If you think you can help the group, contact me, and let's talk about it.
Meeting Reporter: We need a "deadline oriented" Meeting Reporter who can turn transcriptions of the General Meeting into an article for Sacra Blue and eBlue.
Web Team Members: We can always use more members for the eBlue Web team. If you have some HTML editing experience, your help is greatly needed. Or, if you have a desire to learn basic HTML in an effort to help us, contact me and we'll teach you basic HTML editing for this project at the monthly General Meeting.
Educational Training Committee: Edwin Holloway is asking for members to help him with the PC Jamboree in September. This is a new and very adventurous step for the SPCUG to take in improving our service to the community. So, if you want to get involved in some highly interesting and enjoyable volunteer work, contact Edwin Holloway.
Meeting Transcribers: The Meeting Transcribers can take notes during the General Meeting and then deliver them to the Lead Meeting Reporter, who edits and forwards them to the Sacra Blue Editor. Several reporters are usually needed to cover the entire evening's meeting. Or you may put together a report on one part of the General Meeting and submit it to the Editor. Contact Chris Graillat.
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