Monthly Update - September 2024
Happy fall to all and thank you for an incredible Back-to-School season this September! We had so much fun connecting with our clients in different ways this year, from putting on our own events to attending others, to collaborating with government and organizations on new distribution projects!
September marks the halfway point of our fiscal year and we are pleased to see our distribution levels have remained strong; 4157 out of 7000! Huzzah! Don’t worry, we won’t slow down. Thank you to all BC CFS+ interns we have had since April for your hard work and dedication to closing the digital divide. We welcomed three new interns, Manpreet, Indrani, and Benjamin who will be working with us until March 31st.
Most notably, we concluded the Access to Technology project in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development & Poverty Reduction by providing 500 laptops to 23 BC post-secondary institutions to students on the Ministry of Children & Families Provincial Tuition Waiver who have aged out of care. This project was a huge success and a strong indicator of cross-ministry collaboration. Thank you to the Burnaby Now and Kelowna Capital News for sharing our news with their readers!
On September 7, we set up a booth on Commercial Drive and enjoyed the last weekend of summer heat for Car Free Day! Thanks to all who stopped by to learn more about our programs, slot a hard drive into a computer, or inquire about donating!
Our Featured Inventory Garage Sales are always a huge hit and continue to grow in excitement and attendance. The September Back-to-School garage sale was our busiest event yet! Thanks to all of our clients who came out, and thank you for your patience as we worked hard to make sure everyone got checked out as quickly as possible. We are a small but mighty team and appreciate your support!
Thanks to all of our September donors for your contributions, including TELUS, City of Vancouver, Teekay Shipping, Canucks Sport & Entertainment, Insight Software, and the federal government. We appreciate your support more than you know!
Coming up in October:
Computer 101 for Parents with Coquitlam Public Library: We have partnered the Coquitlam Public Library to bring a new digital literacy program to parents - specifically newcomers to Canada! Participants can take two separate two-hour programs on Thursday, October 10 that will teach basic digital literacy and accessing information for their child’s schooling on a computer. This program is intended to help families better support their children to succeed in the Canadian school system.
Register here for “How do I use a computer?”: https://coquitlam.libnet.info/event/11616740
Register here for “Learning school computer programs”: https://coquitlam.libnet.info/event/11616753
We had a change to our Board Executive and are pleased to announce that Nancy Grenier has agreed to become the new Chair, and are grateful she is able to travel with Mary-Em to St. John’s Newfoundland for the CFS National Meetings in October. Ted Pennell has now moved into the Vice Chair role. Special thanks are extended to Doug Kinsey for his three years of service as the Board Chair and moving into the Past Chair position.
Meet Our Board
Chair: Nancy Grenier
What is your role at BC Tech and what skills do you bring to the organization?
My role is to support our amazing executive director and her team, and help spread the word about the important and long-standing role of the organization and its success in reducing waste by stretching the life of technology, training a modern workforce of computer technicians, helping families access refurbished computers–all while setting the bar of trust, excellence and security for the destruction of personal information on donated equipment. I bring skills in strategic communications, fundraising and partnership development.
When did you join BC Tech’s Board?
In 2020.
Why did you want to join the board of directors?
To collaborate with a group of professionals–both on the board and on staff–who are dedicated to the continued success of the organization.
What impacts are you most excited about?
Our waste reduction and climate protection impacts are the most compelling for me, closely followed by the immeasurable benefits to families who, through local charities, receive technology they could not otherwize access.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
In my spare time I enjoy being in nature with my husband and rescue dogs.
What’s the best piece of professional advice you ever received?
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, bring people with you.
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