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Computer User Groups
Helping Local Public Schools
The User Group Academy is pairing computer clubs with K-12 public schools to develop
greater benefits from computers and technology.
"Helping our teachers teach" is the mission of The User Group Academy grant
program now in its third year. The User Group Academy provides much needed
grant money to computer clubs (called user groups) who submit the best ideas for
community education projects. The UG Academy Grants Program was first launched at
the Macworld Expo in July, 1999 as part of the overall User Group Academy Awards.
That year they awarded $25,000 in grants across five different user groups. The
following year another $10,000 was awarded. Since then the Academy has awarded various
grants for individual proposals ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 as well as matched
money with other foundations. The Academy accepts proposals on an ongoing basis,
year around, and addresses each as it is submitted.
Successful Community Partnerships
The grant instrument calls for groups to author and implement technology oriented
programs in partnership with a local, public, K-12 school.
"Having computers in schools is not so much the issue these days in the education
field," says Fred Showker, executive awards coordinator for The Academy, "It's
what the teachers do with computers, and how well they do it that ultimately makes
the difference. User groups know how to get the most productivity, with the least
expense using computers. This is the kind of expertise that will really help the
schools get the most out of their computers."
There is no fixed amount available for grants, and each grant award winner is evaluated
on a case by case basis. The only stipulations on the money is that the group must
be a nonprofit chartered for tax deductible contributions, and that they must partner
with a local public school.
"The emphasis is on the teacher not the classroom." says Showker, "If
we can help teachers exploit technology, that will help more students from year to
year."
Inventor of the first personal computer, and founder of the first User Group, Steve
Wozniak, persented grant checks to User Groups at the January 5, 2000 Awards event
in San Francisco, CA.
The Academy hopes to attract more computer industry companies to become involved
and increase the amount of money for more grants and is challenging the computer
industry to help.
"We've opened the door," Showker addresses the industry, "It would
be super to see some of the big industry players bring their considerable resources
to these grants. The more projects we get going, the more schools we'll help and
the better it will be for all the communities touched by the program." The User
Group Academy will act as conduit to administrate and promote the grants through
a community of computer clubs representing more than a million members around the
world.
Groups or schools wishing to enter the program, as well as companies wishing to become
part of this initiative should contact the Academy directly. Contact information
is available at the User Group Academy Web site: http://www.ugacademy.org/ or by
sending email to Awards_at_UGAcademy.org.
About The UG Academy
The User Group Academy was founded in 1995 as a nonprofit educational organization
to provide information and help for local computer clubs. The Academy's primary focus
has been The UG Academy Awards which have become the world's leading honors program
for nonprofit computer clubs and user groups. The User Group Awards began in 1990
as the "The Johnny Appleseed Awards" and were renovated in 1995 as the
UG Academy Awards. Nominees and winners are chosen by The User Group Academy and
the User Group community at large to recognize excellence in community services by
local computer clubs.
Contact:
Fred Showker, Executive Awards Coordinator -- Showker@aacug.org
Dan Sailers, Executive Academy Chairman -- DSailers@aacug.org
The User Group Academy
c/o The User Group Network
15 Southgate
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
http://www.ugAcademy.org/
Sponsored in part by
The Association of Apple Computer User Groups: www.AACUG.org
The User Group Network: www.user-groups.net
The Design & Publishing Center: www.graphic-design.com
Grants Index _/_ User Group Academy Index
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