wells@compass.com (Ian Wells) (03/07/91)
1991 New England Computers and Social Change Conference
Please print, post, and redistribute this conference notice:
The Boston Computer Society presents. . .
COMPUTERS AND SOCIAL CHANGE:
A conference for community activists, nonprofit staff, board-members
and volunteers who use computers and telecommunications or plan to,
and students,teachers, and computer professionals who want to
contribute to social change.
DATE: Friday-Saturday, April 26-27, 1991
LOCATION: Boston Massachusetts, USA.
Univerity of Massachusetts/Boston Downtown Center, College of Public
and Community Service, corner of Arlington and Stuart Streets, two
blocks south of Boston Common/Public Gardens, just below MBTA Green
line Arlington Street Station.
SCHEDULE:
Friday: 6:00pm - 10:00pm Registration, Resource Room open
7:30pm - 9:00pm Technology for Peace
Satur- 8:00am - 9:00 Registration/Coffee/Open Resource Room Room
day: 9:00 - 10:30 Workshop Session A
11:00 -12:30 Workshop session B
1:00pm - 2:30 Keynote Luncheon: Computers for Poor People
3:00 - 4:30 Workshop session C
5:00 - 6:30 Plenary / Continuation sessions
6:30 - 8:00 Wine and cheese; break for supper
8:00 Evening program of multicultural/computer music
CO-SPONSORS
American Friends Service Committee
Campaign for Responsible Technology
Coalition on New Office Technology
Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility
Environmental Lobby of Massachusetts
Global Action Network
Growing without Schooling
Health Care for All
Hispanic Office of Planning and Evaluation
Labor Resource Center
League for Programming Freedom
Mass Affordable Housing Alliance
Mass Civil Liberties Union
Mass Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities
Mass Law Reform Institute Computer Training Project
Massachusetts On-Line
National Toxic Campaign Fund
Organizing and Leadership Training Center
Science for the People
Somerville Community Computing Center
TecAfrica
Technical Education Research Consortium
United Way
KEYNOTES:
Friday Night, 7:30 pm: Technology for Peace
Presentations, demos and discussions with the American Friends Service
Committee, Jobs with Peace, PeaceNet, the New Liberation News Service
Saturday 1:00 pm: Luncheon Keynote: Technology for Poor People
Tracy Licklider, President, Boston Computer Society
Representative and UMass/CPCS Professor Nelson Merced
Annuri Brooks, Chocolate Chips, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, NY
Antonia Stone, Playing to Win and the Somerville Community Computer Center
WORKSHOPS
COMPUTER SKILLS
o Introduction to Computer Concepts, Hardware and Software
The most basic user will be introduced to various computer concepts such as
input/process/output, operating systems, programming language, and
microcomputer operation. The workshop will take apart, show and discuss
different components of microcomputers. Different types of application
software will be discussed and demonstrated: word processors, spreadsheets,
database managers, desktop publishers, and communications.
o Getting On-Line
Discussion and demonstration of the process of connecting to electronic
networks and using electronic mail and bulletin boards.
o Desktop Publishing How To's
Presentation of the use of microcomputers to produce newsletters and other
publications; transition strategies for agencies; benefits and costs;
how to choose software and peripherals.
o Macintosh tips:
An exchange of ideas on the most efficient use of the Mac.
o PC tips:
An exchange of ideas of the best use of IBM PC's and compatibles.
Learn a simple, systematic approach to PC troubleshooting using
inexpensive diagnostic software. Fix problems or deal knowledgeably
with your repair person.
MANAGING YOUR COMPUTER.
o Computerizing your Organization
Benefits, steps, issues, and pitfalls in bringing a computer into your
organization. Cost and efficiency savings, empowerment developing personal
and organizational capacities; dealing with computerphobia, hidden costs,
stumbling blocks.
o Computer Management Issues
Purchasing, Maintenance and Service Contracts, Getting Software, Getting
the Right Help, Protecting Data, Security and Viruses.
o Helping Others to Use Computers
Help assess training needs of staff, learn about the range of training
opportunities available, techniques and models.
o Accounting on Microcomputers
Introduction to accounting systems and packages for non-profits. Discussion
of issues in computerized accounting.
o Networking your computers
Discussion of the different types of computer networks and the reasons for
using them.
o Mailing labels, membership, subscriptions, and fundraising applications:
Organizational database issues; How to choose the best package.
o Developing Information Systems: Analyzing your organization and developing a
computerized information system to help manage/administer/organize better.
USING TOOLS FOR LIBERATION, TRANSFORMING TOOLS OF OPPRESSION
o The BCS Nonprofit Assistance Program
An introduction for potential organizations and projects which may wish to
find assistance and for volunteers wanting to sign up and/or learn more.
o Community Computing Centers
How to start and develop community access resources, from opening up access
to existing resources to developing full-fledged community centers.
o Introduction to the Rainbow Pages
How to make use of technology that's available to everyone. Telephone-
based information systems: what they are, how they work, and how to use them
Report and update from the Nelson Mandela Boston visit, public info-line and
the MIT Initiative for Peace Hotline.
o The Boston Literacy Telecommunications Collaborative
Presentation of project by United South End Settlements, Cardinal Cushing
Center for the Spanish Speaking, the Haitian Multi-Service Center, the
Chinese American Civic Association, and the technical support staff who work
with the collaborative.
o Telecommunications for Environmental Action
Discussion and demonstration of EcoNet, EnviroNet, the Global Action
Network, RTKNet; planning for the Mass Environmental Network:
what it will look like and do.
o Massachusetts Online
Over the past 20 years, the U.S. Government has funded development of a
network infrastructure that now links most of the University and Corporate
research communities. Massachusetts Online--,focusing on support for the
activities of not-for-profit public service organizations--will report on
its progress; discussion of non-profit on-line needs in the state.
o Computer Technology and Food Co-operatives
What we can learn from examples of the successful use of computers in Food
Co-operatives, pre-order and other forms, large and small.
o Starting a Consumer Co-op for Computer Buyers
Exploring ways of improving service, lowering costs, and increasing quality
through co-ordinated buying of computers.
o Developing the Market for Social Change Computing:
Exploring different ways of encouraging the development of companies which
will assist the social change movement in the effective use of computers.
o Effects of Computers in Today's Workplace and the Innovative Uses of
Computers by Labor Unions
Will explore the impact of computers and new office technology on the
organization of work and how workers and labor unions can control and use
this technology to their benefit.
o Health Concerns of Computer Users
Dangers and toxic effects of the manufacture and use of computers; what
workers are doing to safeguard themselves from these effects.
o Computers in AIDS Education
Demo and discussion of AIDS videodisk which allows users and lecturers to
obtain information and view video frames and sequences in any order desired.
Especially useful as an aid in presenting expert information on a subject
which many teachers and lecturers have difficulty discussing and as an
example of hypermedia technology.
o Invasions of Privacy and Private Data Bases
Protecting your personal, workplace, financial, and political privacy from
commercial exploitation, corporate surveillance, and government intrusion.
o Getting Access to Public Information
How to use the state's Freedom of Information laws and more creative
approaches to get access to government-held data, focusing on electronic
data suitable for computer analysis. Tapping into the information to help in
public education, organizing, and political campaigns.
o Adaptive Computing:
Adapting computers to meet the needs of the differently-abled.
o Computers in the Third World:
Examples of the use of computers in Africa, Latin America and elsewhere.
o Women and Computers
Impact of computers on the role of women in the workplace and at home.
Presentation by WATTS, Women's Access to Technology and Science, an
alternative adult education program designed to teach women scientific
and technical skills in a non-competitive, non-threatening fashion.
o Computers and Capitalism
The computer industry's role in the economy: the function of the computer
in today's economy and its implications for social change organizing
strategies. Computer literacy as class differentiation: the use of computer
literacy as a new tool to discriminate against the poor and minorities.
o Computers and Education
Will cover a range of topics including the introduction of technology
into the schools: implications for other programs in the context of
shrinking budgets, what works and what doesn't; how computers are used in
alternative education programs and home schooling; the future of schools
in the technological age.
o Computers and Adult Education
Innovative uses of computers in Adult Basic Education, English
as a Second Language, GED and related programs.
o Computers, the Military, and Economic Conversion
What do activists interested in a peaceful, sustainable society need to
know about computers, technology, and national policies. Science for the
People's Economic Conversion group will discuss these and related issues.
o The 21st Century Project
Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility's project for developing
an alternative vision of computer and technology usage and policy-making as
the United States enters the next century.
o PC's for Prague
George White will describe his work in bringing computers and
volunteers to Eastern Europe
o TechnoFrolics(tm)
One of David Durlach's amazing, award-winning Kinetic Landscape sculptures
will be on display.
CONFERENCE ORGANIZERS:
Conference Coordinators: Peter Miller, BCS Public Service Committee;
Ian Wells, Social Impact Group of BCS; Staff Coordinator: Gretchen Hardey, BCS;
Program Coordinators: R. Wayne Clark, Clark Consulting; Eliecer Seijas,
Hispanic Office of Planning and Evaluation; Facilities Coordinator: Joyce
Atkinson, UMass/Boston College of Public and Community Service;
Barbara Eversole, CPSR; Greg Hill, UMass/Boston CPCS;
Mike Lucarelli, Mass Volunteer Network, Steve Miller, Massachusetts Office of
Technology Planning; Tim Plenk, Copacetic Computing;
Rick Poyner, Science for the People; Paul Resnick, MIT Center for
Coordination Science; Michael Stein, National Toxic Campaign Fund;
Coralee Whitcomb, CPSR; print brochure by Merrill Black,ICBC.
WORKSHOP LEADERS (A PARTIAL LISTING)
Joyce Atkinson, BCS, Somerville Community Computing Center
Anita Kron Bachrach, United South End Settlements
Joe Beckman, Massachusetts Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities
Jeff Behrens, JSB Computer Services
Eva Boyce Mark Bronstein, Kehoe, Doyle, Payter & Novick
Dina Brownstein, Mass Law Reform
Peg Buckman, Somerville Community Schools
David Cass, Flyers By Night Mailing and Database Management Services
Gary Chapman, CPSR
R. Wayne Clark, Clark Consulting
Cynthia Cobb, Hill Holiday
Charlotte Corbett, BCS
Rebecca Curzon, Lotus Non-Profit Training Program
Annette Duke, Mass Law Reform
Ryan Falvey, BCS
Miles Fidelman, BCS
Bill Fitzgerald, Environmental Lobby of Massachusetts
Joe Gannon, The Institute for Community-Based Computers
Joseph Geierman, Global Action Network
Hillel Gray, MassPIRG
Ellen Hemley, Mass Law Reform Institute Computer Training Project
Judy Houseman, Radical America
Nancy Kellogg, BCS
Jack Larsen, League for Programming Freedom
Tom Macdonald, Haitian MultiService Center
Jim McCarthy, Cardinal Cushing Center for the Spanish Speaking
Jane McPeek, BCS
Glenn Meader, BCS
Margaret Menzies, BCS
Bob Miller, BCS
Steve Miller, Massachusetts Office of Technology Planning
Paul Parisi, BCS
Dale Paterson, Community Action Agency of Somerville
Tim Plenk, copacetic computing
Rebecca Pomerantz, Chinese American Civic Association
Jason Primas, New Liberation News Service
Paul Resnick, MIT Center for Coordination Science
Charlie Richardson, Technology and Work Program, University of Lowell
Elizabeth Roop, Office of Planning, Research and Development, Middlesex
Community College
David Rosen, Newsome Associates
Steve Schnapp, Committee on Boston Public Housing
Peter Smick, Mass Law Reform Institute Computer Training Project
Michael Stein, National Toxic Campaign Fund
Kenneth Tamarkin, Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experiences
Marc A. Triebwasser, MicroMedia Institute, Central CT State College
Gary Trujillo, BCS
Karen Van Kooy, Coalition on New Office Technology
Juan Vargus, Hispanic Office of Planning and Evaluation
Steve Weissberg, BCS
Coralee Whitcomb, CPSR
Albert Willis, BCS
Rand Wilson, The Labor Resource Center
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
o The Resource Room will be open throughout the conference for additional
organizational presentations, software demonstrations and video
presentations. People are invited to display and distribute printed
material. We will have computer consultants and representatives of BCS
programs and projects present during the conference.
o Discussion/Affinity Groups will be formed on issues of concern to
conference participants. We will try to set aside some time late Saturday
afternoon for you to discuss issues not specifically addressed in the
workshops or to continue workshops.
o Saturday afternoon Plenary, an open discussion of "where we go from here."
What resources do we still need to make sure that computers ease the work-
load and open new opportunities for non-profits and community programs?
How can activists use computers to empower themselves and their communities?
How can this conference help in the future?
CONFERENCE OVERVIEW
The goal of the 1991 New England Computers and Social Change
conference is to "bring together people currently working for social
change who want to see how computers can help them in their work and
for those who are technically skilled who want to become involved in
social change. We will look at computers as tools of liberation and
as tools of oppression. We will network with one another to expand our
access to resources and information; we will examine models to learn
from and formulate innovative technologies and approaches to support
social change."
The Conference provides an opportunity for diverse groups to exchange
ideas, experiences, and resources in a congenial atmosphere of mutual
respect for different competencies. This is different from many
technical assistance efforts which assume a one-way communication from
experts to novices. The Conference provides an opportunity for low
budget organizations and activists to explore ways to gain greater
access to and benefit from computerized technology.
The Conference also strives to connect social issues with technology.
The Conference planners and the workshop leaders who volunteer their
time are committed not only to making computers into tools for
empowerment, but also to the broader goal of a democratic information
society dedicated to peace and to social and economic justice.
REGISTRATION/INFORMATION FORM SECTION
name:
organization (if applicable)
address
phone (h) (w)
email address
BCS member? [] yes [] no
if yes, are you a social impact member: [] yes [] no
COST:
Registration Fee ____ ($40 regular; $35 BCS members)
Early registration
discount (if applicable) ____ ($5 discount if post-marked
prior to April 15)
Additional donation to
support the Conference ____
TOTAL ____
Fee includes conference materials, keynote luncheon, child care for Friday
and Saturday. Limited
scholarships are available (see below). Enclose check or money order
payable to: The Boston Computer Society, and mail to Computers and Social
Change Conference, BCS Office 238, P.O.Box 9105, Norwell, MA 02061.
If you would like to be a Conference Sponsor and help underwrite
scholarships, a contribution of $60 or more is encouraged. Your contribution
entitles you to conference participation and, if you wish, recognition as a
Sponsor in the conference program.
If you need childcare on Saturday. Please tell us for how many children,
their ages, and the hours of service needed. Note that children must be at
least 3 years old. Childcare information is needed by April 15.
-----------------
Regardless of whether or not you attend the conference, check if you'd like
any of the following:
[] more information about BCS membership.
[] as an agency staff, volunteer, or board member, I'd like to take advantage
of the BCS public service commitment to provide IMPACT free or at low-cost
to community groups and nonprofits.
If you...
* would like to find out about the limited scholarships available
send email to cdp!ghardey@labrea.stanford.edu
* can put up out-of-town visitors or are from out of the area and would like
assistance - send email to bcs-ssi@compass.com
* want to help your group set up a table or have some space in the Resource
Room - phone 617-894-0640.
* would like to volunteer to help with the conference, send email to
bcs-ssi@compass.com
* want more information about the Boston Computer Society or to order
a printed copy of this brochure , dial 617-252-0600
(617-357-8080 before March 19 1991)
For further information about the conference:
dial..... 617/BCS-INFO (push 105) (before March 19th 1991)
dial..... 617/621-0881 (push 105) (after March 19th 1991)
email.... bcs-ssi@compass.com
Note: the entire conference is wheelchair accessible.
Parking: Friday evening parking in the garage under the Boston Common
is discounted--be sure your ticket gets stamped at the registration
table (we have to make sure we can get the stamp first). No special
parking arrangements are available for Saturday; you may find it most
convenient to use the T.
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