I. What's New

II. Resources
A. Grants
B. Articles
1. The Digital Divide Can Happen in your own Office
2. How to Stop Junk Email

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I. What's New:

1. We are pleased to welcome a new VISTA to the T4T staff. Morgan Riffer has added her talents and enthusiasm to the project.

2. Our Community Technology Centers are nearing completion. Our last site will begin installation in late November after repairs to the facility are finished.

3. Efforts are moving ahead to increase cooperation, coordination, and collaboration between T4T programs nationwide.

4. Stay tuned for our new and improved website coming soon.

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II. Resources:
A. Grants
1. TechFoundation Announces New Tech Grant Program for Nonprofit Technology Assistance Providers Deadline: January 7, 2002 The TechFoundation (http://www.techfoundation.org/) Grant Program aims to implement 10-20 highly successful projects that will bring quality technology resources to select nonprofits in the U.S. and demonstrate that effectively deployed technology can have a significant impact on the ability of a nonprofit to achieve its mission. Through these grants, the TechFoundation hopes to strengthen the growing community of Nonprofit Technology Assistance Providers (NTAPs) and through them, the entire U.S. nonprofit sector. The foundation anticipates awarding grants in the $5,000 to $35,000 range, with an average of $10,000 to $18,000 per grant; actual grant amounts will depend on the number and quality of applications received. Proposals will only be accepted from nonprofit organizations that provide technology assistance to other nonprofits as a significant part of their mission. For complete application guidelines and forms, visit the TechFoundation Web site (follow the left margin link to: Nonprofits, Capital, TechFoundation Grants Program). Contact: Steve Albertson TechFoundation - Seattle 3414 1/2 Fremont Ave. N Seattle, WA 98103 Tel: (206) 632-9948 Fax: (206) 675-1007 E-mail: grants@techfoundation.org RFP Link: http://www.techfoundation.org/
For additional RFPs in Science/Technology visit:
http://fdncenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_science.jhtml
Copyright © 2000-2001, the Foundation Center. All rights reserved.
Permission to use, copy, and/or distribute this document in whole or in partfor non-commercial purposes without fee is hereby granted provided that this notice and appropriate credit to the Foundation Center is included in all copies.

2. New Oracle Foundation to Provide Tech Grants to Schools and Youth Organizations Deadline: November 30, 2001; February 28 and May 21, 2002 The Oracle Corporation has announced the creation of the Oracle "Help Us Help" Foundation ( http://www.helpushelp.org/). The foundation will provide $6 million for grants in its first year of operation to increase access to the Internet for disadvantaged youth in the U.S. and abroad. Grants of computer equipment and software are available to schools and youth organizations that provide educational programs in low-income communities. The foundation program will donate new Internet appliances and laser printers as well as all the ancillary equipment necessary to connect the devices, including network hubs, cables, and electrical surge protectors. The foundation expects to make at least 200 grants in its first year of operation and deploy more than 10,000 computers. For complete guidelines and online application forms, see the Help Us Help Foundation Web site. Contact: Oracle Help Us Help Foundation c/o Oracle Corporation 500 Oracle Parkway OPL-B5 Redwood Shores, CA 94065 Tel: (866) 600-HELP (4357) Fax: (650) 633-1191 E-mail: HelpUsHelp_us@oracle.com RFP Link: http://www.helpushelp.org/pages/grant_index.html
For additional RFPs in Science/Technology visit:
http://fdncenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_science.jhtml
Copyright © 2000-2001, the Foundation Center. All rights reserved. Permission to use, copy, and/or distribute this document in whole or in part for non-commercial purposes without fee is hereby granted provided that this notice and appropriate credit to the Foundation Center is included in all
copies.

B. Articles

Featured Articles:

1. The Digital Divide can happen in your own office

Having a technology plan is essential, but having someone on staff that speaks the language of technology is even more essential. There are two types of staff and they speak two different languages. The thing to watch for in the acquisition of new equipment is to avoid the division between the
"haves" and the "have nots."

Mary Edington , president of Goodwill Industries of SF, San Mateo & Marin, realized that although a good tech plan was important, it was equally as important to make everyone feel technologically equal. Offices can be made into socially divisive environments when equal technologies are not in
place. It is important to remember things like teaching new technical skills to members of staff who may have less sophisticated technologies than others on the team.

She explains, "Initially, we thought that if we had 10 computers out of 200 staff members, we were in good shape. We were primitive in our technology. After years of research and inspection, we got a foundation to fund our technology. We realized that a good technical plan is the key. It's like a
good financial plan. Without a clear vision, and a good path, you will totally waste your money."

"Unfortunately, our San Francisco office became the first and only one with its system fully in place. It began to feel like a caste system, the other offices weren't networked in the same way that we were. Not only was it like the digital divide between our offices, the differences in networking also
resulted in a database nightmare."

"It's not just about needing six computers. You have to keep the interface and software updated and you have to get a good person to guide you. Your money is worth the investment. Bring someone on board and get references. An investment in technology can't maintain itself. It needs to be upgraded and maintained. And remember, there are sure to be culture changes that come about in the organization as a result of the new technology. "

Edington concluded, "If one office's computer didn't have Internet access, or if it was older, it created a division in our organization. We weren't prepared for what kind of problems that this type of division was going to create.

Trying to get a staff that spoke two different languages (techie and non-techie) together, and trying to negotiate who got what first became a sort of caste system. Culture changes will occur whether you want them to or not. Some staff members didn't even have email. The challenge as their boss is how to treat people equally with different technologies."
TechSoup story
© 2000, CompuMentor
Nonprofit Story

2. How to stop annoying junk email.
http://www.coyotecom.com/stopjunk.html

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Other Interesting Articles:

An Analysis of The USA Patriot Act in relationship to the Internet. http://www.eff.org/Privacy/Surveillance/Terrorism_militias/20011031_eff_usa_
patriot_analysis.html

LAPTOPS: TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT 11/05/2001
http://www.digitaldividenetwork.org/content/news/index.cfm?key=483

PEW REPORT: ONLINE COMMUNITIES 11/02/2001
http://www.digitaldividenetwork.org/content/news/index.cfm?key=482

Digital Democracy: Civic Engagement in the 21st Century 11/15/2001 to
11/17/2001 Washington, Washington D.C., United States
http://www.digitaldividenetwork.org/content/events/index.cfm?key=69

ICA/IAMCR Symposium on the Digital Divide 11/16/2001 to 11/18/2001 Austin, Texas, United States
http://www.digitaldividenetwork.org/content/events/index.cfm?key=57

Questions, comments or suggestions are always welcome.