harelb@cabot.dartmouth.edu (Harel Barzilai) (06/18/91)
(Scanned in from a Flyer forwarded to me by a friend who
attended the recent "Computers for Social Change" conference in
Boston)
Greetings,
June 6, 1991
We are writing to invite you to the founding meeting of TecsChange
which will take place from 7:15 - 9:15pm on Thursday June 27 in Room
222 at the UMASS Downtown Campus (corner of Arlington & Stuart, near
the Green Line T "Arlington" stop).
The idea of TecsChange took root among some of the participants of a
workshop entitled "Computers in the Third World", part of the recent
Boston Computer Society Conference on Computers for Social Change. It
became clear to us at that meeting that there is a gap which needs to
be filled.
Here in the US, there are a large number of people with experience in
computers and information technology. Many of them are anxious to
share their expertise with organizations working for social change,
yet find it difficult to discover how to do so. At the same time,
there are several US organizations offering placements to computer
professionals. These organizations struggle to reach potential
volunteers who are scattered both geographically and professionally.
We see TecsChange as stepping into this gap, bridging the distance
between potential volunteers and existing opportunities.
We envision establishing relationships with existing organizations -
both domestic and international - which have the capacity to define
and monitor placements. TecsChange will serve as a central clearing
house, assisting individuals to find placements and organizations to
identify quality volunteers. For those people interested in a smaller
commitment of time, or in being involved locally, we plan to
coordinate several international email projects - providing
organizations with technical advice as well as linking them to their
counterparts worldwide. In this way there will be room for those who
can contribute three months per year, three weeks per year, three days
per year or three hours per year.
Several organizations have already expressed interest in participating
in TecsChange, including TecAfrica and emerging structures working
with mass-based organizations in Haiti and El Salvador. At the same
time, we hope to be able to facilitate requests for training from
domestic groups as well. Several unions, youth groups and community
organizations are interested in being connected, via email, to their
counterparts worldwide.
We do NOT anticipate constructing yet another big bureaucracy, heavily
dependent on donor funds, which has field offices and elaborate
administrative duties. Rather we hope to create a largely
decentralized network which can survive the economic reality of the
1990's. In other words, we hope to rely on people - on their energy
and interest and enthusiasm - to keep TecsChange going.
There is one remaining question to be answered, namely, what is the
glue which holds TecsChange together? As individuals, we are united in
our fundamental belief that information technology - with creative
thought and political leadership - can be a valuable tool in the
process of creating a just society. Moreover, we are dedicated to
putting this belief into practice. While we appreciate the
contradictions inherent in the transformation of a technology which
has often been used to control people and information into a tool for
liberation - we are committed to working through these issues. Our goal is
to work towards democratizing the use of technology, towards utilizing
it is such a way that it serves our goals and reflects our principles.
We hope that you will join us in this struggle.
Yours in solidarity,
[signature]
Tim Plenk * Carrie Pratt * Ken Russell * Kate Snow * Charli Welch
For information on the TecsChange meeting and future activities,
please phone the Peace and Justice Hotline: 617/787-6809
** Please take the time to fill out the following informational sheet.
Bring it to the meeting with you or mail it to C. Pratt, 3 Lothian Rd.
#42. Brighton, MA. 02135. If you are unable to come to the meeting but
are interested in remaining on the list, please make sure to mail it
in or you will not receive future mailings. For more information, call
Carrie at 617/787-1442. **
** TecsChange **
Name:
Organization:
Address:
(is this home or work
City: State:
Zip:
Phone (hm): /
Fax: /
EMail Address:
Phone (wk): /
Skill Area: (Please write specifics)
Operating Systems: MAC DOS(IBM) Windows/OS2 Other
WordProcessing:
Database:
Spreadsheet:
Accounting:
DeskTop Publishing:
Telecommunications:
Local Area Network:
Installation, service and repair of hardware:
Other:
I am interested in TecsChange because: