Monthly Update - May 2023
We hope you had a spectacular May.
Over the last number of months, we have noticed an uptick in the Bring Your Own Device model being rolled out across a number of school districts. If you are an administrator or teacher from a school in a BYOD district we would like to encourage you to consider requesting equipment from BC Tech for students in your classroom who may not have affordable access to technology. We know how important it is for learners to have access to computer technology in the home. Help bridge the digital divide by requesting computer laptops for redistribution to students in your classroom. View available tech and how it works here. Schools can also request equipment from our Featured Inventory. We recently added some new desktop bundles that are perfect for home learning. There are two free options and one paid option.
We received 32 technology donations in May. Among these were donations from 5 new donors Thanks to all who donated!
We are preparing for our annual Donor Recognition event on June 22nd at TELUS Garden. It promises to be a wonderful evening of food and drink, awards, and conversation. We’re looking forward to connecting face-to-face with many of our donors and celebrating the impact of their generosity. Invitations were sent via email and RSVPs close on June 7th.
It’s time for another Meet Our Team interview! This month we chatted with the newest member of our team - our Administrative Assistant, Luke MacLean! Though new to our permanent staff, Luke is no stranger to BC Tech. He started in 2021 and completed two CFS Internships with us. This brings a wealth of technical experience to many of his conversations with clients as they are determining what equipment best meets their needs. On top of that, the camera loves him! You can catch Luke in videos on our social media, often with a slew of tech tips and other fun stuff. Follow @reusetechbc and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Meet Our Team
Administrative Assistant: Luke MacLean
What is your role at BC Tech and what do you do on a daily basis?
I serve as our Administrative Assistant. I handle equipment requests as they enter and leave our system, recording client information and verifying eligibility, finalizing orders and following up as needed as the process unfolds. I also provide a concierge service to visitors here at the front desk when folks call or come to visit. I administer the TELUS Internet for Good program’s low-cost computer option as well, and frequently lean on my prior experience as a Hardware Technician Intern here at BC Tech to assist my colleagues in a variety of other ways.
Tell me about your previous roles and experiences prior to coming to BC Tech.
There isn’t much to tell, I’m afraid! I’d had a few jobs here and there, nothing terribly exciting back then. As a youth, I struggled with mental illness. I had some brief success in post-secondary Computer Science courses, but before long my schizophreniform condition overwhelmed my capacity for self-care and I had to be supported for several years in mental-health assisted living facilities. Starting as an intern here back in 2021 was a crucial step in my recovery journey. I owe a lot to the organization and the people here… more than they likely know, being that my disability is of the less visible sort.
What do you like about working at BC Tech?
There’s a lot to like! As a Technician, I got to participate in a fantastic peer learning environment and develop my IT skills, particularly in hardware. There’s a certain satisfaction to opening up a tricky laptop, replacing a defective part, and putting it all back together to find that I’ve taken what would otherwise be recycled and made it fit for reuse! These days I have more of a front-facing customer service and administrative sort of role. Every day is a little different - different clients with differing needs, special projects here and there - it’s hard to get bored! It’s also quite nice to be working in such a beautiful area near Burnaby Lake. Last and certainly not least: I love contributing to our mission of getting computers, which continue to be more and more essential for everyday life, into the hands of those most in need.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
I mainly just play video games. I finally got a Nintendo Switch a couple months ago, so I’ve lots of catching up to do on the offerings there. When not gaming, I’ve been known to hike, ski, and take miscellaneous adventures about Vancouver with my wife.
Do you have any interesting fun facts?
At 6’4” in height, I am shorter than the average among males in my family. I’ve been periodically accused of having a ‘radio voice’ and one of my early customers on the Client Services phone line has pledged to subscribe if I should ever start a podcast. Still getting around to it, Ingrid.
How do you approach customer service?
An attitude of gratitude is key. Like so many businesses, we would be nothing without our customers. Be courteous, informative, attentive and patient.
How does it feel to be a video star on the BC Tech social media?
Freaking great, thanks for asking! I am so excited to be able to use my skills as a thespian once more. I was very active in theatre classes throughout my schooling, graduating high school with honours in theatre. Between my roles in plays and hosting the morning PA announcements in Grade 12, I managed to accrue enough notoriety to be elected valedictorian for our graduating class. There is no feeling like being in front of an audience. I am thrilled to see the response to our videos, in which it has been my pleasure and privilege to participate.
What’s the best piece of professional advice you ever received?
“Keep a record of what you’re doing. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a way to mess up so badly that it cannot be fixed with the help of a detailed record of what happened.” - Jerred Flynn, BC Tech Interim Bookkeeper
