1.) GPUAC.ORG
2.) Tech Tip
3.) Director of Policy and Communications Postition Available
4.) CTC VISTA Project Assistant Director Postition Available
5.) Lutheran Settlement House

6.) IMPORTANT CHANGE TO MICROSOFT SOFTWARE DONATION PROGRAM

7.) Training Update

8.) Article:  Steve Hutson, Former T4T VISTA, Recognized

1.) Featured Website of the Week - GUPAC.ORG (Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition)

GPUAC is a local organization that builds the capacity of grassroots organizations to serve their own communities. This is accomplished through the provision of financial management services, loans and grants, technical assistance to a range of public and private organizations, and leadership development.
Through GPUAC's website, you can learn more about the Campaign for Working Families, a partnership that promotes free filing of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and connects Philadelphia residents to other tax credits, public benefits and asset-building resources. The EITC is a tax benefit for working people who earn low or moderate incomes. It reduces the tax burden on these workers, supplements their wages, and helps families build assets.
Find out how to take advantage of EITC or register to become a volunteer tax preparer by going to GPUAC's website at www.gpuac.org.

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2.) Tech Tips

Well, if you are any thing like me, then you don't have a clue about keyboard short cuts. I've compiled a few of the more useful ones. Here they are:

F1 - Displays the Microsoft Internet Explorer help screen while Explorer is maximized.
F2 - Renames selected/highlighted item
Ex. Single-click a Word document, and then press F2 to instantly rename that document.
F3 - Brings up the Window's search query, allowing you to search for files or folders.
F5 - Refreshes the current document, as the refresh button on the Explorer task bar
ALT+TAB - Switch between open items.
SHIFT when you insert a CD into the CD-ROM drive - Prevent the CD from automatically playing.
CTRL+C - Copy.
CTRL+X - Cut.
CTRL+V - Paste.
CTRL+Z - Undo.
(Finally, my personal favorite)
SHIFT+DELETE - Deletes selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin.

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3.) Postition Available:  Director of Policy and Communications
Location: Washington, D.C.
Status: Full-time

Organization: Community Technology Centers' Network (CTCNet) is
a membership network of more than 1,000 community-based
technology centers, programs, and support organizations,
throughout the United States. CTCNet is dedicated to the
dissemination of digital technologies to lower income
neighborhoods in ways that strengthen individuals, families and
communities. CTCNet provides a range of electronic and
face-to-face services to support its members in their respective
missions and connects them to a national network of peers and
expertise. For more information visit the website at
www.ctcnet.org.

Responsibilities: CTCNet's Director of Policy and Communications
will have a formative role in establishing CTCNet's policy and
communications directions in support of community technology
nationwide.
This person is responsible for the overall development,
organization, and administration of CTCNet's position on federal
policy and corresponding activities. This position reports to
the Executive Director and will work closely with the management
team on programming, development, partnerships, and
organizational operations. Specific responsibilities include,
but are not limited to the following:

ß Provide leadership in the conceptualization and overall
direction of CTCNet's position as it relates to policy in
collaboration with the Board of Directors, the Policy Committee,
and staff;

ß Recommend, develop, and implement annual and long range policy
and communications goals and objectives in collaboration with
Board of Directors and staff;

ß Conduct outreach to associations and national organizations
with complementary missions and engage them in collaborative
policy activities relating to community technology and CTCs;

ß Work closely with Director of Programs & staff to develop
programmatic connections between CTCNet policy activities and
CTCNet member services;

ß Develop and implement regular CTCNet media and communications
activities that promote the work of CTCNet and the work of CTCs
nationally;

ß Provide direction and programmatic oversight to the Catalyzing
CTCs for Community Change project;

ß Working closely with the Director of Partnerships and
Development, develop relationships with various federal programs
to expand the funding base for CTCs and identify funding
opportunities for current and future programs;

ß Work with management team to develop and revise annual policy
and communications budgets and manage activities within those
parameters;

ß Work closely with management team to establish, implement and
continually improve lines of communication with and between
Directors, staff and CTCs to ensure the mission and goals of
CTCNet are being fulfilled;

ß Communicate regularly (meetings and monthly reports) with
Directors on planning and implementation of all CTCNet policy and
communications activities;

ß Represent CTCNet at various public and professional functions;

ß Coordinate efforts to identify and recruit policy and
communications staff and consultants;

ß Supervise and empower professional staff and consultants in the
execution of policy and communications activities;

ß Through active outreach and advocacy, continually improve the
quality, amount and availability of services offered to CTCNet
members and CTCs more generally;

Experience & Qualifications:
ß Ability to work collaboratively in a grassroots organization
ß Ability to think strategically and carry out policy and
communications objectives
ß An understanding and commitment to the mission of community
technology
ß Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate clearly
and effectively with people at all levels within the organization
and at key external agencies and organizations
ß Experience supervising staff
ß Detail-oriented, flexible and able to manage changing, deadline
environment.
ß Capable of determining and meeting planned and unplanned
project needs.
ß Excellent communications skills, including writing, editing and
oral presentation.
ß Initiative, self-direction, team management and facilitation
skills, and a sense of humor.

A Master's degree or equivalent experience is required. The
successful candidate will have at least five years policy and
communications experience. The candidate must also have a
demonstrated commitment to improvement of opportunities of
underserved communities in community technology, education,
social services or economic development.

Salary & Benefits: Commensurate with experience and in set range.
CTCNet provides health benefits, a pension plan, vacation, sick
and personal leave.

Interested candidates should send cover letter, resume, and three
professional references to dcjobs@ctcnet.org.

Community Technology Centers' Network (CTCNet) is an equal
opportunity employer. Persons of color, persons with
disabilities, and women are encouraged to apply.

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4.) Position available: CTC VISTA Project Assistant Director
I

The Assistant Director coordinates project work with the University, the
Corporation for National and Community Service, project VISTAs and supervisors.
Fuller description and application information available at
www.umb.edu/administration_finance/hr/employment/search.html (put
"VISTA" in the search description).

Position available at half to two-thirds time at a salary range of $20-30,
depending upon qualifications and percent of time. Possibilities for full-time
with additional responsibilities. For more information, contact Project
Director at peterm@igc.org.

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5.) Lutheran Settlement House

This month’s agency of the month is Lutheran Settlement House (LSH). LSH's mission is to “empower individuals, families, and communities to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency through an integrated program of social, educational, and advocacy services" They have taken the same philosophy in developing their IT department. The three-person team maintains and refurbishes their computers in house. They also perform staff assessment and staff trainings in house as well.

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6.) IMPORTANT CHANGE TO MICROSOFT SOFTWARE DONATION PROGRAM

Effective January 5, 2004, DiscounTech has amended the guidelines of its Microsoft Software Donation Program so that all qualified nonprofits may now request a donation of Microsoft products one time per one-year period. This is a change from the previous "two year rule" (one order of MS products per two year period) that was established when the enhanced Microsoft Product Donation Program was introduced on March 1, 2003.

This change is retroactive. This means that all nonprofits that ordered Microsoft products since March 1, 2003 will be eligible to place a new order one calendar year after their last order. (For example, if your organization placed a Microsoft order on March 29, 2003, you will once again be eligible to order on March 29, 2004.)

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7.) Training Update

Many of you have made the resolution to learn more about computers or to acquire skills that will enable you perform your jobs more effectively. Make those resolutions a reality by signing up for T4T's classes. We have two months left in the semester, and classes are filling up fast. See the attached document for a complete listing or check out our website at www.uwsepa.org/team4tech/training.htm. Also, the brochure for next semester's classes will be available early next month. Stay Tuned.  Upcoming Classes for Jan and Feb

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8.) Article:  AmeriCorps Embodies Giving

The Courier News

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/ourtown/e07hutson.htm