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Dear Digital Inclusion Supporter,
As we approach the end of 2011, we reflect on the many accomplishments of the Communities Connect Network Project and our partners. Through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) funding, 35 public computing centers across Washington State have been upgraded with new equipment, staff, training capacity, or broadband connectivity. By the end of the year, CCNP will have delivered a total of 177 new or replacement workstations. These impressive numbers reflect the hard work, ingenuity, and dedication of a community of people working for digital inclusion. We are excited to see the Communities Connect Network grow in 2012!
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Spotlight On...
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CISC Offers New Computer Lab Programming and Open Hours
The Chinese Information and Service Center (CISC) provides exciting new programming and increased open lab time as a result of BTOP funding. CISC was founded in 1972 and its mission is to bridge cultures, communities and generations, creating opportunities for Chinese immigrants and their families to succeed. Today, CISC serves over 6,000 immigrant families each year. CISC helps Chinese and other Asian immigrants throughout King County achieve success in their new community by providing information, referral, advocacy, social, and support services.
CISC Lab Coordinator, Karia Wong, reports that CISC is now offering free computer workshops and open lab time on Saturdays, direct results of their increased capacity from the BTOP funding. Both are highly attended, as working or job-seeking adults and families with children do not often have time available during the week. Additionally, they are planning parent technology workshops - training parents to use online tools such as the Seattle Public Schools' "The Source" - at the same time as their youth program to provide childcare and training together. CISC continues to offer training on basic computer skills and Microsoft Office, helping immigrants gain employable technology skills and integrate into their new community.
 | Lab Assistant Hao Du gives one-on-one
help to a lab user |
CISC successfully partners with many organizations and companies in the Seattle/King County area, including Jefferson Terrace (another BTOP recipient), Microsoft, and Adobe. With their newly expanded training capacity, they are planning to provide technology classes on the Eastside (in Bellevue and Redmond) in partnership with the King County Library System. Stephen Lam, Elderly Program Director, says they have recognized a need in their community that they hope to meet by providing services and training in other locations. Soon, CISC plans to hold workshops in the Kent/Renton area in south King County.
Find CISC on Facebook and read the latest on their blog.
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| What's New in the Communities Connect Network |
 Web Portal Launches! We are excited to announce the launch of the Communities Connect Network (CCN) web portal! The portal is an online community space designed for you to access and share digital inclusion and community technology resources, and is an important tool to pursue CCN's mission to ensure digital inclusion and technology opportunities for all residents of Washington State. The CCN web portal has the following features to help you find and share information: The Network Directory is a growing list and map of Public Computing Centers (PCCs) across the state. We hope to make this list as complete as possible. If you know of a PCC that is not listed, please use the Suggest a Computer Lab form to add it to the Network Directory. Under CCN Programs, you can read success stories from our partner labs and find information about upcoming training opportunities. In the News & Events section, you will find all things community technology! The Forum is an interactive opportunity for users to share tips, ask questions, and discuss their work in community technology. To share information in the forums, you must register for a user account. Under Research & Policies, you will find important information and research on impact, needs, and barriers related to community technology programs. The Resource Library is yours to find and share useful best practices and tools for learning technology or managing public computer centers.  Introducing the CCN Facebook Page!
The Communities Connect Network Facebook Page features digital inclusion and community technology news and information, as well as CCNP partner updates and information. "Like" us so we can share stories and resources with you and your communities. |
| Project Updates | |
Rural Telecon Conference
Katrina Kennard, CCNP Project Manager, attended the Rural Telecon Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina last month. The conference is a gathering of broadband officials and organizations working to bring broadband to rural communities, as well as increase economic development via broadband services. Attendees discussed deployment issues as well as adoption, use, and sustainability. Of particular interest were presentations by public access community technology centers that are utilizing creative ways to help their constituents gain access to broadband tools for small business development. See more at the RTC Session Videos, and further resources from the hosting organization, e-NC Authority, and their Broadband Brief (top link, Broadband Briefs).
 | | Burlington Public Library |
NTIA Federal Program Officer Visits CCNP Partner Libraries
The Communities Connect Network Project's federal program officer, Emy Tseng, was in Washington State and stopped in to visit two CCNP libraries: Burlington Public Library and La Conner Regional Library. Emy was impressed with how BTOP funds are being used to expand and enhance the libraries' efforts to meet the technology needs of their patrons and communities. Along with expert assistance from Director Maggie Buckholz and library staff, public access computers are linking people directly with new computer training and job search skills. Soon, a new in-library check-out system will allow visitors to borrow a laptop for unlimited use while in the library, giving them more time to work on resumes, website development, or other more time-consuming tasks. In La Conner, BTOP funds have allowed Library Director Joy Neal's staff to offer more up-to-date, hands-on training to community members with their laptops and mobile WiFi hotspots. Trainers take the laptops, with upgraded Microsoft software, to the local senior community to teach basic computer skills in the comfort of their residence.
Great work is continuing to happen at CCNP public computer centers across the state. Let us know what you are up to! Contact Amy Hirotaka at ahirotaka@edlabgroup.org or 425-977-4749.
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| Resources | |
e-NC Toolkits and Manuals
Here you will find various resources (some are specific to North Carolina, but most are applicable to any state) focused on broadband adoption, technology access, and using technology for community engagement.
Get Online Resources from the City of Seattle
The City of Seattle created the Get Online initiative, lasting for a week in October 2011. On this page, you will find links to various curriculum and resources designed for Public Computing Centers.
Using Google Forms as a Free Survey Tool
You can use Google forms as an easy, customizable, FREE way to create a survey. This link provides instructions on how to get started.
Social Media for Nonprofits Slideshares
These slideshares are from Social Media for Nonprofits' conferences across the country. Here, you will find great information about creating social media strategies to improve your outreach and communication.
Look here for LinkedIn's list of best practices for nonprofit professionals and organizations.
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CCN Trainings
| BTOP-funded capacity building training with CCNP Training Partners began in October 2011 with Social Media webinars from NPower Northwest and continues with workshops from the Workforce Development Council.
Workforce Development Council of Seattle - King County Trainings The Workforce Development Council of Seattle - King County has worked with their partners to create a series of hands-on workshops on three important topics: Financial Fitness, Using the Self-Sufficiency Calculator, and Job Search Skills in the New Economy. These workshops have been designed for staff and volunteers of our Public Computing Center (PCC) subrecipient organizations. The workshops will be hosted regionally over the next six months so that all of our PCC organizations will have a chance to attend - in the Seattle Metro area, in Northwest Washington and in Eastern Washington. These workshops will be repeated in the Seattle Metro area several months after they have been presented in the other regions. The first workshop, "Financial Fitness and Using the Self-Sufficiency Calculator," was on November 17, 2011. The second, "Job Search Skills in the New Economy," was on December 2, 2011. Job Search Skills in the New Economy January 19, 2012, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Register online YWCA Learning Center at Greenbridge 9720 8th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106 https://www.ywcaworks.org/Page.aspx?pid=437 Using the Self Sufficiency Calculator January 24, 2012, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Register online YWCA Learning Center at Greenbridge 9720 8th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106 https://www.ywcaworks.org/Page.aspx?pid=437 Financial Fitness January 24, 2012, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Register online YWCA Learning Center at Greenbridge 9720 8th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106 https://www.ywcaworks.org/Page.aspx?pid=437 NPower Northwest Trainings Our partners at NPower Northwest have a created a Live Webinar Series on Social Media designed for staff and volunteers of our PCC organizations. Webinars will be recorded and available for future viewing on the CCN Web Portal. The Social Media 101 and 201 webinars have already occurred, but you can download the slides below. Social Media 301 still has spaces left -- register today! Having a consistent presence on social media platforms is essential to building long-lasting online relationships. How do you keep up momentum without spending all of your staff resources managing these profiles? Join our Social Media 301 webinar where we'll share tips and tricks to manage time and guarantee the sustainability of your efforts. You'll learn how to measure effectiveness, ensuring that you're meeting your social media goals and contributing to your organization's overall communications plan. December 13, 2011, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM. Register online here
Social Media 201: Getting Started Webinar Whether you're ready to get started with social media, or looking to improve upon your initial efforts, our Social Media 201 webinar will provide valuable information to get the most bang for your buck out of these tools. Learn how to set up accounts on Facebook and Twitter, discover best practices for building online relationships, and determine what tools are available to help plan and coordinate your social media efforts. Slides and webinar recording available on the CCN Portal Training page.
Social Media 101: What It Is And Why Is It Important? Webinar New to social media or considering jumping in? Lack of familiarity with these tools can make social media seem overwhelming. Let us help you overcome these obstacles with our Social Media 101 webinar. In this interactive webinar, you'll get an overview of the most common social media tools and discover how they can help you tell your organization's stories to connect with a broader audience. We'll also share some applications that can make your social media efforts manageable and measurable. Most importantly, you'll learn how social media fits into your overall communications strategy. Slides and webinar recording available on the CCN Portal Training page.
In the upcoming year, capacity-building training will also be provided by the following CCN Partners:
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About CCN
| Mission: Communities Connect Network (CCN) works to ensure digital inclusion and technology opportunities for all residents of Washington State.
For more information about Communities Connect Network (CCN), please contact Katrina Kennard, Project Manager a t kkennard@edlabgroup.org or 425-977-4753. |
| About the EdLab Group | 
The EdLab Group is a private, non-profit organization with funding from federal and state governments, private foundations, corporations, and individuals. Our mission is to leverage the power of technology and diversity to transform teaching and learning. We respect your privacy and do not sell, share or allow our list to be viewed by other individuals or companies. For more information about the EdLab Group, visit our website at www.edlabgroup.org. |
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