Monthly Minutes – 2007 Archive
Meeting: 11th of January 2007
Present
- Ron Harrington; President
- Lynn Karr; Director
- Alissa Harrington; Secretary
- Denise Beaver
- Judy Stem; Vice-president
- Brian Holsonbake
- Catherine McDonald
- Wally Brown
- Thomas Bethune
- Tracy Rouchard
- David Anderson
- Mike Shelah
- Dave Baxter
Dave Burrows
Dave Shaffer
Larry Williamson
- Rich Waganer
- Mark Ripper
- Barb Schmidt
- Bob Keller
- Bruce Hall
- Lorsi Pizza
- Steve Williams
- Robert Dorr
- Ken Harris
Tom Ferguson
Mark Pallack
Paul Dowling
Mark Kaidy
Mark Krider
Esther Iglich
General Announcements
- Lynn Karr
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Lynn opened the meeting with member introductions
Lynn shared highlights of the Technically Speaking Dinner Event video contest and the Techie of the Year Nominations - Website Update
- Steve Williams reviewed the new features, including events feature, left hand navigation allowing for easier navigation, highlight annual events and accept registrations through the site, and member directory navigation.
- Speaker
- Mayor Tom Ferguson, State of Technology in Westminster.
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- Initial step: Approached Robert Wack to form a technology task force to provide a picture of the state of technology and then provide a plan, including 3-5 years goals.
- A Technology Advisory Board is currently in place
- Primary issue right now is updating the Financial Accounting System. Converting to a custom designed software by Eden Systems. $500,000 project will allow real time capability of data and allow for more efficient operations. New system will integrate with water/sewer bills and housing offices. Will also include a Human Resource management component.
- Working on Fiber Optic integration between city and other government agencies.
- Website is under revision right now-improvements will include on line bill pay (parking fines, water bill) and registration for community activities
- Received grant money from Cable Regulatory Commission to create a study need for wi-fi network. RFP info on website
- February 15th deadline for vendor submission
- Vendor presentations Feb 26th
- April award contract
- Golf Event
- Lynn presented the Sponsorship Golf brochure to the members. Ron Harrington emphasized that this sponsorship is a crucial piece of our fundraiser event, as sponsorships are the main source of income for our event. The mission right now is to get the word out and contribute.
Event / Committee Reports
- Ambassador
- Mark Pallack welcomed Mark Ripper, Acting Administrator of the Office of Information and Technology Services for Carroll County Government to the Tech Council.
- Compukids
- Bobby Keller announced that the Carroll County Board of Ed office recently donated 30 machines. Although CompuKids has a sufficient number or computers on hand, there is still an on-going need for PCI 56K internal modems and speakers.
- Golf
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Dave Baxter, Committee Chair, distributed sponsorship forms for the upcoming Golf Event on May 17th at Wakefield Valley County Club. This event remains the #1 fundraiser for the Council. Based on Comments from Golfers, a few changes are planned this year: breakfast will be served first, tee time at 10:30, followed by lunch and beverages throughout the day.
Dave emphasized that sponsors are needed; this is an opportunity for recognition! Judy Stem asked for assistance from members who can volunteer to work the event. - News Article Series
- In addition to CTC members writing articles for the CC Times column, Tracy Rouchard is interviewing County IT leaders and CTC members as a feature. Please contact Tracy if you would like to be featured in an upcoming article.
- NonProfit Center
- Brian Holsonbake announced a plan to implement a building wide telephone-systems solution. The first meeting with NPC tenants was held in January, and the costs / needs are being analyzed. This will provide equal or better phone service at a lower cost to the tenants.
- Technically Correct
- Brian Holsonbake announced a plan to implement a building wide telephone-systems solution. The first meeting with NPC tenants was held in January, and the costs / needs are being analyzed. This will provide equal or better phone service at a lower cost to the tenants.
- Technology Speacking Dinner
- Chairman Richard Lord is seeking a speaker for the evening and any creative ideas. If interested in serving on this committee, please contact Richard Lord.
- Technology Advisory Committee
- Barbara Schmidt, Chairman, announced TAC will give a presentation during the 2/21 Council of Government's meeting in an effort to illicit technology hot topics within the municipalities. The committee will have a 15-minute spot to show a presentation and help the municipalities complete a technology survey. The survey will also be available online on the CTC site for 10 days after the meeting. Once the surveys are compiled, the committee will select a technology "hot topic" to research and follow-up with the COG either in a forum, seminar or workshop, or at the next COG meeting. The hope is to generate a list of topics to be used for future workshops and to expand this to all Carroll County businesses.
- 4-H Robotics Club
- Catherine McDonald recognized Rich Waganer for sponsoring the 4-H competition ring; a $1500 donation! Opportunities exist to sponsor a robotics team, for just $25 per team. See Catherine to choose your team; team selection will also be placed on the web.
- David Shaffer: The Official Microsoft Vista launch will take place on Feb 20th at the BWI Marriott. The event will feature speakers and fan-fare. Visit the Microsoft across America website for information about this Free event.
- Tom Bethune represented the Tech Council during a recent Westminster Rotary Meeting, focusing on website security.
- Alissa Harrington: Reminded members that the daylight savings time has been adjusted by approximately four weeks. As a result, DST will start three weeks earlier on March 11, 2007, and end one week later on November 4, 2007, resulting in a new DST period that is four weeks longer than previously observed. This will affect all electronic calendars and PDA devices. Patches are available online.
- Ron Harrington: An integral part of the Tech Council is Member Benefits. The Council is investigating having educational seminars for members. Ideas are encouraged from members. Ideas given during the meeting include: Seminar on VISTA, Exchange 2007, include members in county municipalities meetings, and Open Source Education. Contact Ron if you have a seminar idea.
- Lynn Karr: Encouraged members to consider becoming a volunteer for the eCYBERMISSION program as a Virtual Judge. eCYBERMISSION is a web-based competition where 6th through 9th grade students address a problem in their community by applying science, math and technology. Virtual judges independently evaluate team Mission Folders online. For more information on Virtual Judges, go to http://www.ecybermission.com/index.cfm
- Denise Beaver announced that The Dept of Economic Development will present the 2007 Economic Outlook seminar on March 14th at Portico at St. Johns. The Flyer will be submitted with the Tech Council Minutes.
- Lynn recognized Brian Holsonbake of Skyline Network Engineering, whose company will obtain and manage the resources necessary to support the planning, engineering, construction, and operations of the Carroll County high-speed fiber optic public network. As an Eldersburg resident, Brian is excited to help the county with the CCCPN!
Member Announcements
Next Month’s Speaker:
John Dillman, President, MD Broadband Cooperative
Bringing Broadband to rural areas in MD
