Fall 2005

The CTC VISTA Project pre-service orientation (PSO) is a paradox of sorts.  The VISTAs are mostly brand new, some never setting foot in their placements before.  Yet it is the only chance to meet fellow VISTAs, supervisors and Project staff face-to-face and get answers about the work for the coming year.  But how many people can ask questions about an experience they haven’t had yet? 

In this grand paradoxical experiment, four coordinators, tasked to lead the new Project priority areas, were challenged to present an overview of their area of expertise and offer some starting words of advice.  This initial mix of experience, naiveté and energy promised to spur a year of support and resource and curriculum development. The summaries in each section of this issue are a brief attempt to recapitulate three priority area presentations, written by the hand of new VISTA herself in the spirit of PSO paradox.  Frank Odasz summarizes some of own his presentation. Video excerpts of their presentations are also available.  Each summary is complemented with a list of resource links and related articles from the CTR archives.  We look forward to the coordinators helping develop their areas as ComTechReview sections in future issues.

• Nettrice Gaskins:  Digital Media for Youth
• Frank Odasz: Community Networking
• Jillaine Smith:  Technology Assistance to Nonprofits
• Ed Schwartz: Community Organizing and Development

Danielle Martin is a new VISTA tasked to be the priority area curriculum coordinator as well as the Assistant Editor of the Review.  Her background is in after-school multimedia programs for youth, instructional design for web-based trainings, and fundraising and development.  She was previously the Technology Director at the Charlestown Boys & Girls Club (MA) Computer Clubhouse.