rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (06/15/91)
~Subject: Computers/Social Change*NYC*Jun 26
[Note from PeaceNet: Please distribute far and wide!!]
From nyonline Tue Jun 11 18:07 PDT 1991
Announcing the sixth year of the NYC Conference:
The Sixth Annual NYC Conference on Computers for Social Change
Tools for Progressive Action
Wednesday, June 26, 1991
Hunter College School of Social Work, 129 East 79th Street, at
Lexington Ave., Manhattan (IRT # 6 to 77th Street)
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The following document is a copy of the registration brochure
for the Conference. For further information, or a copy of the
brochure, please call:
Terry Mizrahi (212) 452-7112
or
Patricia Friedland (212) 614-5314
PLEASE NOTE: the Conference will take place at two different
places and times: the main part of the Conference will occur
on Wednesday, June 26 in New York City. A second section
of the Conference will take place on Saturday, June 29 in Rutgers,
N.J. and will include 6 additional workshops including
the Disabled Computer User's Forum. There are two registrations
for the two sections of the Conference.
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* Workshops
* Demonstrations
* Technical Assistance
* Issues
* Disscussion/Affinity Groups
* Empowerment
* Public Data Access
* Networking
* Resource Room
* Shareware
Sponsors: NY Computer Activists * Education Center for Community
Organizing (ECCO) at Hunter College School of Social Work *
Community Service Society
Endorsed by Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility
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CONFERENCE OVERVIEW
This year we are broadening our community. Our conference is
affiliated with the second annual international HUSITA-2 (Human
Services Information Technology Applications) Conference, June
27-30 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. HUSITA-2 will bring together
leaders and professionals in information technology and the human
services from all over the world. Their conference, like ours,
will strive to connect social issues with technology.
Highlights include: Dr. Arno Penzias, winner of Nobel Prize in
Physics; author of IDEAS AND INFORMATION: MANAGING IN A HIGH-
TECH WORLD; Evelina Pangaian, University of Philippines; Bryan
Glastonbury, South Hampton University, UK.
Sessions on applications in the field of mental health, children
and families, substance abuse, community development, self-help
and mutual aid, telecommunication, case management, disabilities,
public welfare, and many many more!
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Wednesday
8am-9am Registration
9:15am-11am WORKSHOPS
11am-11:30am Resource Room/Drop-In Center/Affinity Groups
11:30am-1:30pm Luncheon Keynote Event, 10th floor
(Lunch Included for all registrants)
1:30pm-3:15pm WORKSHOPS
3:30pm-5:15pm WORKSHOPS
6:30 - ??? Join us for a surprise speaker at the Wetlands
Preserve, "the watering hole for activists" for an evening of
food, drink, networking and "social change" socializing !!
161 Hudson Street, New York City (3 blocks south of Canal) near
the entrance to the Holland Tunnel * 212-966-5244.
Conference Format
The conference will consist of both formal presentations and less
formal gatherings. The formal presentations are workshops and
demonstrations, organized around four key areas:
@ Empowerment and Activism workshops deal specifically with ways
in which people are using computer technology to work for
progressive social change. This theme also juxtaposes the use
of computers as tools for oppression and tools for liberation.
@ Public Data Access workshops will concentrate on obstacles and
avenues for gaining access to information maintained by public
and private organizations. Strategy sessions will discuss how to
influence the collection and distribution of information.
@ Organizational Management workshops are for people engaged in
managing and running a computerized organization. You'll learn
how to make the most effective use of computer resources.
@ Computer Skills workshops will guide you, in a gentle and
friendly environment, to the specific technical information
you'll need to become a literate and informed computer user;
hardware, software, buying, troubleshooting.
In addition to workshops, the conference will also include:
@ Affinity Groups in areas that aren't covered in workshops, or
that participants feel deserve special attention. During the
conference, you may become stimulated to continue various
dialogues with one or more people with the same interests. If
this happens, you are encouraged to start or partake in an
affinity or common interest group. Stop by the resource room and
enter your name to start or join an affinity group. At that
location, you will also be able to get a list of people who are
interested in the same issues.
@ The Resource Room will be open throughout the conference, with
displays of free or low-cost software, publications, guides to
bulletin boards and training services, and plenty of opportunity
to network. Please let us know if you have a demonstration or
display you would like to present here.
@ The Drop-In Center has over 20 PCs in a classroom environment.
It will be available at various times during the day (when not in
use by a workshop). Drop-in to get answers to your questions,
technical or theoretical,large or small, from sympathetic
consultants.
@ Keynote Luncheon on Wednesday. Lunch provided for all pre-
registered conference participants and as many late registrants
as we can accommodate.
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@ Playing To Win: Community Based Technology Access
How do socio-economically disadvantaged people gain access to computers and
other advanced technology? Playing To Win has been answering this question
for the past 11 years. The mission of Playing To Win is to promote and
provide equitable access to technology and technology education for
underserved people. This presentaiton will begin with a brief introduction
to Playing To Win's 11 year history. We will go on to discuss aspects of
PTW's Harlem Community Computer Center and Technical Assistance Program,
and how our work in these areas led to the development of the Playing To
Win Network, a national affilitiation of community technology learning
centers.
@ Networking for Peace & Justice
Learn how computer networking can be used in national and international
peace and justice work. Find out about existing networks which tie
together organizations here and abroad working for change. Find out about a
proposed network for disseminating world news directly from the field,
unadulterated by commercial news outlets.
@ Computers for Human Empowerment: Adult Education for Homeless Adults
Using computers for general literacy, computer literacy and workplace
literacy education for homeless adults in a transitional center and for
shelter residents. This presentation will outline such issues as the
educational needs of homeless adults, motivators for learning,
appropriateness of various hardware and software and the effectiveness of
various curricula. One or more center residents will discuss how the
program worked for them.
@ Senior Connections: New Library Services for Older Adults
Library based information and referral program provided by seniors for
seniors. Older volunteers work and train together with a multi-disciplinary
team of student interns from schools of social work, nursing and library
science. This innovative program taps the expertise of the various
professionals and the rich talents and experience of older adults. This
cost efficient library-based program provides services including
information retrieval assistance, referral and counseling, while reaching
out to vulnerable elderly, including low income and minority older persons.
@ Victim COMPASS (Computerized Assessment)
This Expert System running on a PC helps the social worker determine
eligibility for crime victims' and 17 other types of compensation; come see
how to bypass the "red tape", save time and alleviate aggravation for the
client and social worker by having the computer help choose the type of
compensation to apply for first and avoiding the application process for
compensation for which the victim does not qualify.
@ Computers and the Third World: Technology for Emancipation or
Enslavement?
What does 'hi-tech' offer so-called Third World societies and is this
something that traditional technologies have failed to provide? Is
computer technology universally adaptable, or is it constrained by the
culture that created it?
@ Automation Techniques in Political Campaigns: USA
The microcomputer has become a powerful weapon in election campaigns. This
workshops will review techniques that use popular database and spreadsheet
products to identify, target and contact voters. Simple mathematical
methods used in creating successful electoral strategies will also be
discussed.
@ Computer-Aided Environmental Activism. I
Focus on several local issues being raised in NYC; what kind of data is
needed and what can be done with it? A guide to on-line research sources
including electronic BBSs, networks, and databases; ways to improve your
on-line research skills.
@ Computer-Aided Environmental Activism. II
A discussion of the key pending issues which need work now. An overview of
the organizations and agencies doing existing projects which activists can
be involved with. Which issues need community organizing and public
education. How to make your point by integrating data, e.g. water pollution
data with disease incidence.
ORGANIZATIONAL AND MANAGEMENT
@ Getting the Most from the Post
Learn how to obtain mailing lists which help your organization reach its
objectives; why and how to use a list broker or commercial service to
enhance your list; the ethics of the list brokerage industry. Need help
with understanding the maze of postal regulations and fees ? Come learn how
to get the most from your postal budget by using bar codes, sorting in zip
order, mailing 3rd class v. 2nd class, free corrections on disk of your
mailing list from the P.O.
@ Fundraising
Find out about the Foundation Center's on-line database and how to do
fundraising research; how to write a funding proposal; what information do
you need to know about potential donors? Issue in computerizing donations.
When to ask for the donation? Prospect research and cultivating donors.
@ Computerizing Your Organization
Will buying a computer really save you time and money and help you do your
work better? How should you choose hardware and software? How do you find
out what training you need? What technical assistance and support
specifically for non-profits is available?
@ Organizing Your Computerization to Get You Through the Recession
In an era of diminished resources it is more important than ever for Social
Change organizations to maximize their computer systems' potential, design
systems to survive staff turnover, and make systems as easy to use as
possible. Common problems organizations have after buying a computer
system and using it for awhile.
@ How do I Get My Computer to Understand What My Organization Does?
Using the tools of basic systems analysis (not as scary as it sounds) this
workshop will focus on understanding the information flow in your
organization and in particular aspects of its work and how a computer
system can help you manage it and accomplish your goals more effectively.
@ Organizing and Managing Information
How do you create and tailor databases to the special needs of social
change organizations. How do you select software based on organizational
needs and keep databases manageable and accurate?
PUBLIC DATA ACCESS
@ Public Data Access: Focus on the Census
Census data is an essential basis for much planning, advocacy and
fundraising for social change. A unique chance to learn from experts in
the field about how to access data from the 1990 Census and the powerful
ways microcomputers can retrieve and organize it.
@ Privacy, Civil Liberties and Computer Technology
The ability of individuals and organizations to maintain confidential
information is increasingly being threatened. The laws dealing with
transmitting electronic information are far from clear and the methods used
to enforce these vague laws set a dangerous precedent for abriding freedom
of speech. This workshop will explore this problem and the reaction of the
Federal Government against the lawful activity of the growing on-line
counter-culture.
@ Government Information in the Electronic Age
What are the current government operating policies on public access to
electronic information? An overview of the state of the states and how
they are formulating their public access policies; the pivotal role
librarians play in gaining and safeguarding public access to
information.
@ Public Access Terminal (PAT)/New York City Districting Commission
The Districting Commission is replacing the present 35 council districts
with 51 new ones; each of the new districts will average approximately
140,000 residents. New York City residents can use PAT to construct city
council districts which can be submitted to the Commission. The PAT data
includes census, political, demographic and geographic data. The director
of the program will explain the PAT program and the impact it has had on
the process.
@ Community Service Society (CSS) Redistricting Project
Throughout the CSS Redistricting Project, CSS is closely monitoring the
Districting Commission's progress and is conducting an intensive public
education campaign about the possibility of better government through a
fair redistricting plan; the campaign underscores the relationship between
redistricting and issues such as jobs, housing and health care. CSS, using
1990 census and political data, is constructing a model redistricting plan.
COMPUTER SKILLS
@ Databases in Action
Come see how activists and social workers are using Paradox, dBase,
WordPerfect, SciMate, PageMaker, Ventura, CorelDraw and other popular
software programs to facilitate three exciting programs: 1) the Connecticut
Clearinghouse, a statewide center on drug and alcohol abuse, 2) a Brooklyn,
NY rent strike database 3) conducting research, compiling the data and
producing camera-ready copy for the Shopping for a Better World bestseller.
@ Buying and Expanding Your System
How to control your lust for computers and make it work for you; hacking
through the forest of jargon; getting a good deal; knowing when to upgrade
equipment and software and when to leave well enough alone.
@ Desktop Publishing
Get control of your graphic life; how to produce good-looking, startling,
outrageously provocative results from a moderate investment.
@ Connecting Your Computers: Introduction to Local Area Networks (LANs)
How to get your computers to share data, printers, telephone lines; costs
and benefits of various connection schemes.
@ Anatomy of a PC
We'll take apart (and possibly reassemble) a machine and discuss
troubleshooting (bring your troubles); how to tell between hardware and
software errors; how to prove to customer support on the phone that it's
not your fault; how to tell the difference between a video board and a
mackerel.
@ Telecommunications
Reach out and touch another computer; introduction to modems,
communications software, on-line services.
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Saturday workshops for HUSITA-2 from the Computers for Social
Change
Conference 212-666-4245 Krista Kaminsky, conference organizer
* Disabled Computer User's Forum
How computers can increase the participation and autonomy of the physically
disabled in work and home settings; focus on empowering technology,
specifically adaptive hardware and software; an adapted CAD computer lab;
an overview of on-line education and BBS resources for the disabled.
Panelists:
- John Halko, Jr. Disabled Information Awareness for Living (DIAL, Inc.)
- Barbara Kollodge, Electronics Unit, Rusk Institute for
Rehabilitation Medicine
- Debbie Greenspan, Evelyn Arnow-Dolan Foundation
- Dr. Tzipporah BenAvraham, Disability Consultant
- Bruce Davies, County College of Morris (NJ); DIAL, Inc.
(schedule the disabled workshop in the morning session so
that our presenters/audience may attend the 1pm disabilities session and
not conflict with it!! thank you).
* Helping Communities Fight Discrimination: A Database on Bank
Lending Practices.
This unique database and mapping system makes federally mandated
but previously inaccessible data on bank loan practices available to
community groups fighting discrimination. Use of this data has recently
taken on new importance as a result of the S&L crisis and new federal
regulations which monitor more closely banks' relationships to their local
communities. Examples of case studies from northern New Jersey will be
discussed but similar data is available throughout the US and the database is
also of general interest as an exciting example how a microcomputer can
be powerful tool for advocacy organizations to access and analyze
the vast amount of information government accumulates.
Panelists:
- Steve Johnston, Hunter College, City University of New York
- Bill Milczarski, Hunter College, City University of New York
* Empowering Communities: Gaining Access to Public Data
How microcomputers have created exciting possibilities for
community organizations to strengthen their advocacy and planning efforts
by using allowing them to access, analyze and present information more
effectively. Featuring a demonstration of the Queen's College INFOSHARE system
which will help NYC community groups to gain access to housing, health
and other data about their neighborhoods. INFOSHARE breaks down some of the
political and technical barriers which have made it difficult for
communities to get or use such data and helps them present
compelling comparisons, maps and graphs.
Panelists:
- Len Rodberg, Queen's College, City University of New York
- Alison Cordero, St. Nicholas Neighborhood Preservation Corporation
* Negotiating for Social Change
How can traditional negotiation theory be merged with social
change strategies? Come see a demo of what can be gained from using an
"Expert System" to prepare yourself for any type of negotiation and learn
what the negotiation "experts" already know.
Panelist: (THIS IS A DEMONSTRATION)
- Dan Burnstein, Harvard University Program on Negotiations
SAT. early afternoon if possible
* Automation Techniques in Political Campaigns: International
Issues For better or worse, "American-style" election campaigns,
characterized by image manipulation and advertising techniques at
the expense of ideological identification are spreading around the globe.
Direct mail and targeted voter contact are central to American
elections. This workshop will discuss these techniques and show how to use
desk top computing resources and simple mathematical methods in their
implementation.
Panelist:
- Bruce Bernstein, Main Street Partners
* Desktop Publishing
Get control of your graphic life; how to produce good-looking,
startling, outrageously provocative results from a moderate investment.
Joel Landy, Big Apple Publishing
Gene Peterson
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CONFERENCE PLANNERS
Peter Brooks, MicroMind, Inc. * Alison Cordero, St. Nicholas
Neighborhood Preservation * Rob Fasano, New York Computer
Activists * Patricia Friedland, Community Service Society * David
Friedlander, Io Consulting * Krista Kaminsky, New York Computer
Activists * John Mangione, Computer Information Access, Inc. *
Mike McCullough, Brooklyn College * Terry Mizrahi, Education
Center for Community Organizing (ECCO) at Hunter College School
of Social Work * Ralph Pochoda, Advocate Development Corporation
* Walter A. Wannerstrom, Adult Educator/Citizen Activist
Conference Program by Joel Landy, Big Apple Publishing 718-937-
2240
REGISTRATION
The entire conference is wheelchair accessible. For more
information: Patricia Friedland, CSS, 212-614-5314 or Terry
Mizrahi, ECCO, 212-452-7112 or Krista Kaminsky, 212-666-4245.
Conference Fees (if you register By June 15):
$ 35 per person Wednesday June 26th in NYC (includes lunch)
$ 110 per person for combined wednesday (in NYC) and Saturday (in
New Brunswick, NJ) includes wednesday lunch
After June 15th registration: Wed. only $ 45 (includes lunch)
Saturday only $ 95
If you would like to be a Conference Sponsor and help underwrite
scholarships to the conference, a contribution of $ 60 or more is
encouraged. Your contibution covers your registration fee, and
if you wish, you will be identified as a Sponsor in the
conference program.
MAKE CHECK OR MONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO: NEW YORK COMPUTER
ACTIVISTS/ECCO
RETURN THIS FORM TO: NYC COMPUTER ACTIVSTS/ECCO 129 EAST 79TH
STREET, NY, NY 10021
dingbat of the scissor here - - - - - - - cut line here - - - -
Enclosed is $ ________ for _______ people
(PUT A CHECK OFF BOX HERE) Do not share my address with other
organizations
Name __________________________________________
Affilication ________________________________________
Mailing address _____________________________________
_____________________________________________________
City/State/ Zip _____________________________________
Day phone (___)__________ eve (___)____________
(CHECK OFF BOX HERE) Yes, I'd like to be a sponsor ($60 or more,
includes conference registration).
(CHECK OFF BOX HERE) I've never worked with computers and would
like a place in the special beginners' lab workshop: "For People
Who Have Never Used A Computer"
(CHECK OFF BOX HERE) Please send me the HUSITA-2 brochure
Limited scholarships are available for wednesday. Sending 3 or
more employees? Discount available.
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WORKSHOP LEADERS (PARTIAL LIST)
* Phyllis Andrews, The Foundation Center * Steve Andrus, Independent Consultant
* David Bahn, AM-PM Consultants * Margaret Barclay, Bank Street College * Dr.
Tzipporah BenAvraham, Brooklyn College * Bruce Bernstein, Main Street Partners
* Sam Bishop, New York Alliance for Clean Air * Judith E. Bloch, MSW, Hunter
College School of Social Work * William Bowles, New York On-Line * Peter
Brooks,
MicroMind, Inc. * Dan Burnstein, Harvard University Program on Negotiations *
Dave Burstein, WBAI FM * John Chelen, Unison Institute * Jane Curtley,
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press * Bruce Davies, County College of
Morris (NJ); DIAL, Inc. * John Downey, Independent Media consultant, Earth
Information Systems * John Ernst, Ernst & Associates * Skip Ferry, Shepherd
Home Transitional Center * Ben Goldman, Public Data Access, Inc. * Ross
Greenberg, Software Concepts Design * Debbie Greenspan, Evelyn Arnow-Dolan
Foundation * Nancy Hale, Pace University * John Halko, Jr. (DIAL) Disabled
Information Awareness for Living * Lisa Hallman, Independent Consultant *
Colette Harris * Katie Hafner, co-author, CYBERPUNK * Peter Hernon, Simmons
College * Laura Jeffers, Playing To Win * Mo Kornbuth, Independent Consultant *
Nancy Kranich, ALA Sub-Committee on Government Information; NYU Libraries *
Yvette Kelly, Chocolate Chips; CLO * Andrea Kimmich-Keyser, Playing To Win *
David Kirchoff, Lenox Hill Neighborhood House * Kim Klein, The Funding
Exchange; Grassroots Fundraising Journal * Barbara Kollodge, Electronics Unit,
Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine * Felix Kramer, Kramer Communications
* Joel Landy, Big Apple Publishing * Risha W. Levinson, DSW, Adelphi
University, School of Social Work * Howard Marks, Networks Are My Life * Toby
McIntosh, Bureau of National Affairs * Susan Merritt, Pace University * Frank
Migliorelli, Playing To Win * John Miller, Mobilization for Survival * Joel
Norris, Shepherd Home Resident * Susan Parato, Adelphi University School of
Social Work * Arlene Pedone, New York City Districting Commission * Richie
Perez, CSS Voter Participation Project * Eugene Peterson, The Graphic Advantage
* tim plenk, copacetic computer consulting * Jeremy Raw, Independent Consultant
* Len Rodberg, Queens College * Tom Sahagian, Independent Consultant * Robert
Saunders, Non-Profit Management Consultant * Charles Scheiner, Peaceful Systems
* Barbara Warren, Consumers Union
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CONFERENCE PLANNERS
Peter Brooks, Micro
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