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CTC VISTAs Strengthen RTPnet
by Judy Hallman
![]() RTPnet offers annual fee-based memberships to North Carolina nonprofits and CTCs in the southeast. Member benefits include web hosting, e-mail list management (using Mailman as its list serve software), and discounts for RTPnet-sponsored training and events, including an annual statewide conference on bridging the digital divide. AmeriCorps*VISTAs have supported RTPnet community technology projects since the CTC VISTA Project was established as a national effort. ![]() CLICK coordinator Chad Custer is helping 6th grader Morgan Timberlake with her Travel Project (Pictures from The Herald-Sun) VISTA projects allow host organizations to develop and expand programs and services with side benefits that strengthen the host organization. The CTC VISTA Project has strengthened RTPnet and our member network through fostering collaborations, providing a foundation for increased financial support, contributing to an increased understanding of digital divide issues, and helping us attract and support additional volunteers. Collaboration: The process of defining VISTA projects, finding funding, and supervising VISTA work has brought together a variety of organizations and resources. For example:
Increased financial support: RTPnet membership fees provide a base of seed money for the $3,000-$4,000 in funding needed for VISTA positions. When we start a VISTA project, we have the money in the bank to pay for it. In many cases, the VISTA project generates additional funds. As noted, the two VISTAs for CLICK were funded entirely by Duke. In addition:
![]() Eugena Harrington with CNS program officer Marsha Colbert. In addition, the VISTAs' good work on projects enhances RTPnet's ability to attract members and donations. Increased understanding of digital divide issues: Martha Moore's project (2001-04) at the Birchwood Learning Center in Durham opened the eyes of many RTPnet associates to the difficulties associated with running a learning center in a low-income neighborhood plagued with drugs, alcohol, and violence. The team of leaders who helped initiate this project and were supposed to coordinate it disappeared, Martha nonetheless, with guidance, made good progress working with adults. She found that she could actually increase attendance in evening classes by charging a small monthly fee, paid in advance, since the participants had then made a commitment and were more likely to attend classes. But it continued to be difficult to get adults to come to the center. And then the police requested that classes be moved from evening to daytime after a shooting near the center. Gradually, Martha's work focused more on special projects and the after-school program developed in partnership with the John Avery Boys and Girls Club. For the last two years, Martha was the only staff person there.More volunteers: As people learn about our VISTA programs, they realize that they can also contribute as volunteers. Increased volunteerism is both a blessing and a challenge. With the help of Shirlene Rogers (2001-03), we created databases of CTCs and of volunteer skills and availability. Our latest effort, Tech LinkUp, has been designed to help connect volunteers, sponsors, and businesses with community organizations, and to help connect community organizations with one another for mutual support. RTPnet VISTA Projects
![]() Martha Ann Moore displays her community leadership award, flanked by Stephen Quinn (left) and John Zoltner (right) of CTCNet's DC staff. CTC VISTAs sponsored by RTPnet have made significant contributions to efforts to bridge North Carolina's digital divide. To note more about their work:
For RTPnet and the North Carolina communities we serve, CTC VISTAs have made an enormous difference. ![]() Judith Huntress Hallman (http://www.rtpnet.org/hallman/) is Executive Director and President of RTPnet and has worked as a volunteer for RTPnet since 1989. Judy provided computer support services at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (where she received a BA and MA in Mathematics), from 1967-1999. Her work included supervision of the Help Desk, training, documentation, and program development. When she retired (March 1, 1999), she was Campus Webmaster. Hyperlinks references in this article: RTPnet: http://www.rtpnet.org/ fee-based memberships: http://www.rtpnet.org/hosting/ Triangle United Way: http://www.unitedwaytriangle.org/ CLICK: http://www.duke.edu/web/isis/click/ here: http://www.comtechreview.org/fall-2005/000373.html Martha Moore's project: http://www.rtpnet.org/tact/jobinfo/vista1.html Tech LinkUp: http://www.techlinkup.org/ her selection for a Technology to Empower Communities (TEC) Champion Award: http://www.rtpnet.org/rtpnet/news/moore03sep.html 2004 Community Technology Award: http://www.rtpnet.org/awards/nominees.html 5th Annual RTPnet Conference: http://www.rtpnet.org/rtpnet/rtpconf04/ Gena's project: http://www.rtpnet.org/tact/jobinfo/vista2.html Kimmora's project: http://www.rtpnet.org/tact/jobinfo/vista3.html Ella's project: http://www.rtpnet.org/tact/jobinfo/vista5.html Shirl's project: http://www.rtpnet.org/tact/jobinfo/vista4.html Douglas' after-shool CLICK project: http://www.rtpnet.org/tact/jobinfo/vista6.html Rogers Herr Middle School: http://www.wfl.dpsnc.net/lt/rherr/school.nsf/ curriculum: http://www.duke.edu/web/isis/click/curriculum.html RTPnet 2003 conference: http://www.rtpnet.org/rtpnet/rtpconf03 CTCs & Local Schools: http://www.ctcnet.org/conf/2003/at_conference/program_detail.asp?SessionID=39 Chad's project: http://www.rtpnet.org/tact/jobinfo/vista7.html CLICK: http://www.duke.edu/web/isis/click/ curriculum: http://www.duke.edu/web/isis/click/lyonspark.html organizations across the nation: http://www.duke.edu/web/isis/click/locations.html Their project: http://www.rtpnet.org/tact/jobinfo/vista8-9.html Tech LinkUp: http://www.techlinkup.org/ TechCoop: http://www.rtpnet.org/techcoop Triangle United Way's Teaming for Technology (T4T): http://www.unitedwaytriangle.org/t4t Triangle 501 Tech Club: http://list.nten.org/lists/info/501techclub-triangle 6th Annual RTPnet Conference and Community Technology Awards: http://www.rtpnet.org/rtpnet/rtpconf05/ Judith Huntress Hallman: mailto:hallman@rtpnet.org http://www.rtpnet.org/hallman/: http://www.rtpnet.org/hallman/ University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: http://www.unc.edu/ retired: http://www.unc.edu/news/gaz/archives/99feb24/file.10.html Comments
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