First Quarter 2006 Update
I would like to remember Rick Housh and Paul Bower who passed way last year. Both Rick and Paul
were founding members of the Computer Ministry. Rick was the Research & Development and Support
Team leader. Paul was the Hardware Team Leader. Their guidance and expertise established a foundation
that we use today. Also, they were our close friends that we remember fondly. I know they are watching
over us from heaven as we continue the work they helped start.
I do have an update regarding the Skare Family. Sam Skare, Quality Assurance Team Leader and his
sons Travis and Steve were involved with the Computer Ministry since 2001. Both Travis and Steve
have grown to be wonderful young men. Steve is finishing his first year of college. Travis is finishing
his Bachelor's degree at Stanford and will continue his graduate degree at Stanford. This is a great
honor and a proud accomplishment for both of our youth alumni of the Computer Ministry.
We reported during on our annual Computer Ministry update to the Session on May 1 three key items.
First is the use of Rm. 316 by the Session for their committees. Rm. 316 was built by the Computer
Ministry to be shared with the Church Family. The Elders of the Session have the guidelines we established
so they know how and what to expect when they use Rm. 316.
Second is the update on the Front Porch Alliance outreach project headed by Bob Sawyer. This
is a joint project between the Education Team and Refurbishing Team. More details of this FPA project
are in the attached status report.
Third is the Mission Ministry "This is the Day" program. The purpose of the "This is the Day"
program is to focus on different ministries offered by the Church. The Mission Committee is gracious
to include us in their program and our day is August 27. Jim Fellenstein will be our focal point
coordinator for this program which the Computer Ministry will support fully.
Submitted by Tony Liu
Second Quarter 2006 Update
We were very productive this past quarter due to the dedicated efforts of the members of the
Computer Ministry. I am pleased to report both the Education and Refurbishing Teams exceeded
the delivery of their offerings these past three months.
The Education Team taught the "Very Basic Computer" class both in the Church and the
Front Porch Alliance outreach program. I would like to point out that we asked the Education
and Refurbishing team to take on more volunteer workload this past quarter with the FPA outreach
project. Due to the leadership of Bob Sawyer, Tom Housh, Gene Davis, and Ken Smith, the FPA outreach
project was delivered successfully. I am proud of their accomplishment.
The Refurbishing team delivered an unprecedented number of computers to our Strategic Partners.
They rebuilt and delivered 51 computers this past quarter. Their efforts helped a greater number of
people than we have ever done before. We do have a challenge to replenish the inventory for next
quarter though, and I am confident the Refurbishing team will step up to this challenge in the
coming months.
We plan on to support the Mission Ministry's "This is the Day" focus on the Computer Ministry.
I will be delivering the Minute for Mission testimony at each Sunday service on August 27.
Jim Fellenstein is organizing members of the Computer Ministry to be in Friendship Hall after
each service to answer questions. Our goal is to sign-up volunteers for our Mission day on
September 26 or 27. These volunteers will work with members on the Education or Refurbishing
Team to become familiar with the Computer Ministry's offerings. Depending on their area of
interest, these volunteers will have the opportunity to join the Computer Ministry after September 26 or 27.
Submitted by Tony Liu
Third Quarter 2006 Update
We have been very active this past quarter delivering our offerings and preparing the Computer
Ministry for the 2007. We held the "This is the Day" recruitment for new Computer Ministry members,
developed new classes for the Education Team, and began the process for loading new software
for the Refurbishing Team.
August 27 we held the "This is the Day" in Friendship Hall followed by September 26 or 27 for
the volunteers to help us. Five helped the Refurbishing Team on Sept. 26 and two helped the
Education Team on Sept. 27. From this group, I am pleased to welcome Tessie Young, Dick Cole,
Nick Smith, Nick Schulte, and Steve Shmigelsky as members of the Computer Ministry.
Jan Dexter, Cathy Richmond, Richard Pryor, Tom Housh, and Gene Davis worked together this summer
to develop an Intermediate set of classes. These Intermediate classes will start in November, which
are all ready full with a waiting list. These new classes build upon the "Very Basic Computer" class
the Education team has taught since 2002.
John Lewis and Earl Phillips have begun the research and development process for loading a different
operating system called Windows 2000 onto refurbished computers. This process will allow the Refurbishing
team to load legal licenses of Windows 2000. We will be able to upgrade the computers at the Front
Porch Alliance, Grandview Park Presbyterian Church, and other Strategic Partners. This new process
will require the Refurbishing Team to learn new skills and I am confident they will acquire these
skills in short order.
Submitted by Tony Liu
Fourth Quarter 2006 Update
As we close out 2006 and focus on 2007, there are a number of accomplishments I will share with you.
I am proud of the members of the Computer Ministry of what they have accomplished and appreciate the
time and persistence they contributed this past year.
In 2006 we delivered the offering to the Front Porch Alliance in the computer lab and materials that
allowed them to help their community. The Education Team expanded their offerings to supplement the
Very Basic Computer Class with a Intermediate Class. We are booked on these classes this Spring and
a waiting list has already started. What is important to me is this Intermediate class provided materials
that we can share with the FPA when needed. The Refurbishing team has taken the Microsoft Authorized
Refurbishing (MAR) program and developed an offering that will be foundation for the 2007 work we will
do for our Strategic Partners.
We did learn things in 2006 which will incorporate changes in 2007. The HW donations have been revised
to support the MAR program. We must be more selective. What we have done is specify what we want for
donations. Also, we have a surplus of monitors. This issue is two fold on where to deliver or dispose
of these monitors. What we learned in 2006 are serious issues that require solutions that the Computer
Ministry leadership will focus on.
The plans for 2007 will involve the Refurbishing Team and Education Team in different ways. The Refurbishing
team will focus on upgrading the systems for our Strategic Partners. This is a formidable task that will
require all resources on this team to contribute their skills. The Education team has a staffing issue.
Resolution on this issue is necessary due to the student demand of the classes. A combination of awareness
will be made public to get more volunteers involved both from within the Computer Ministry and outside is in
progress. Again, the leadership recognize the importance of these 2007 plans and will execute accordingly.
Submitted by Tony Liu