“We’re asking the technology and start-up communities to help us find new ways to use government data. Startup Weekend Gov is a great opportunity to come build an application and make a difference in your community,” said Mayor Mike McGinn.

Startup Weekend Gov offers a 54-hour work session that begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 27. Developers will use data posted by the City of Seattle, King County and the State of Washington to create new mobile apps and business ideas that make government services more accessible and relevant to residents and businesses.

Data sets can be found at

• City of Seattle: http://data.seattle.gov
• King County: www.datakc.org
• Washington State: http://data.wa.gov

Share your ideas at https://opennw.ideascale.com

Register for Startup Weekend Gov at http://seattlegov.startupweekend.org

This decision was made with several considerations:
- The existing equipment has passed its end-of-life and can no longer be maintained effectively.
- The cost to buy and install new commercial-grade equipment and to support continuing Wi-Fi service and support are high at a time when the economy has forced the city to make budget cuts.
- An increasing number of people have Internet access with their mobile cell plans (“smartphones “), and there is greater availability of Wi-Fi in neighborhood cafes and businesses that provide alternatives to a City-managed Wi-Fi program.

Free Wi-Fi will continue to be provided at libraries, City Hall, and Seattle Center. The City is also continuing to provide free use of public computers at Neighborhood Service Centers, libraries, and selected community centers, in addition to the community access and training provided through our Technology Matching Fund grant partners.

The City can provide a list of assets used for our Wi-Fi project, referrals to community partners for potential providers, and a list of assets used for our Wi-Fi project. Please contact communitytechnology@seattle.gov or leave a message on our Wi-Fi Infoline at 684-8070 for more information.

The City would like to thank the Rainier Chamber of Commerce, Columbia City Business Association, University District Chamber of Commerce, University of Washington, Homesight, Atlantic Street Center and the residents that participated in the program. We were glad to be able to provide the service for longer than our initial five year pilot program.

Background

The Online Boost Project was developed in response to what we learned from neighborhood organizations putting up web sites and using social media for their organizations.  We conducted an inventory (Seattle Communities Online assessment) and held discussions at Neighborhood District Council and community group meetings. We looked at the current capacity of neighborhood groups to do effective outreach online, maintain their content, foster online engagement and use city widgets and tools.

We are looking for up to 15 projects who will receive up to $1000 in matching funds and will also participate in workshops with experts in using social media. Our goal is to boost their capacity through a project that takes them 3 months or less to complete.   This program is administered by Community Technology Program of the City of Seattle Department of Information Technology (DoIT).

Program Goals

The Online Boost Project is designed to help community and neighborhood groups implement a short term project that will increase their ability to post and manage online content, and foster more diverse participation. In coordination with the Seattle Communities Online initiative, we are seeking opportunities to enhance:

• Increased awareness of community issues;
• Increased community participation in problem solving; and
• Increased interaction with government.

Online Boost grantees will have access to:

• Up to $1000 mini-grants for a quick, specific project to be completed within 3 months.
• Workshop (required in order to receive funding) where participants would leave the workshop knowing what resources are out there, what their plan of action will be, and how to go about implementing.
• Mentorship and networking opportunities

The deadline is Tuesday, May 15 at midnight. The application is submitted online and all interested groups must register ahead of time in order to access the application.  You can register at: http://webgrants.seattle.gov.  If you have already registered for another grant with the City, you can log in with your user ID and password and select “Funding Opportunities” and then “Online Boost Grant.”

For help and resources visit the Online Boost Project at http://www.seattle.gov/seattlecommunitiesonline/boost.htm.

For in-person help please contact:

Vicky Yuki, vicky.yuki@seattle.gov, by phone at 206-233-7877.

The deadline for applying is April 3rd. These funds are available to Seattle community organizations to help close the digital divide, especially for vulnerable residents. Get more information or see the press release.

The ten member Citizens’ Technology Advisory Board (CTTAB – seattle.gov/cttab) helps guide city strategies and investments in our digital future, including broadband deployment and adoption, Seattle Channel and Seattle.gov services, cable tv franchise agreements, Technology Matching Fund grants and efforts to close the digital divide. 

For these two-year volunteer positions, the City is looking for people with the time to serve and interest or expertise in one or more of these areas:

•     the future of television programming and digital journalism

•     strategic partnerships and broadband development

Applications will be taken through Feb 1, 2012.  See more details about the position requirements and the Board at http://www.seattle.gov/cttab/ .  Please email your resume and letter of interest to CommunityTechnology@seattle.gov.

Entries came from a really diverse group of youth and among the school classes participating in the contest were:
Seattle Public Schools
- West Seattle High School
- Chief Sealth International High School
- Ballard High School
Tahoma Junior High School
Sequim High School

See more at pugetsoundoff.org. and also view all the banners entries at http://pugetsoundoff.org/contest-entries.

PugetSoundoff.org is a youth civic engagement project that provides digital literacy skills training as well as serving as an online hub for youth expression in the Seattle and Puget Sound area. The project is managed by the Seattle MetroCenter YMCA in a partnership with the City of Seattle and University of Washington. Funding is provided in part by the City of Seattle Department of Information Technology using cable franchise funds provided by Comcast. PugetSoundoff.org helps further the City’s e-government, civic engagement and broadband adoption goals. Youth also blogged about Human Rights issues. An video interview of Councilmember Mike O’Brien conducted by Ameera Brooks is posted on PugetSoundOff and on Councilmember O’Brien’s blog.

The PugetSoundOff.org site also offers digital media instructional materials for teachers and students at http://pugetsoundoff.org/get-started/digital-media. The site uses a Drupal platform.
For more info on Puget SoundOff and how school or community groups can use the site, contact Chris Tugwell at ctugwell(AT)seattleymca.org. For more on the City of Seattle’s role, contact CommunityTechnology(AT)seattle.gov.

If you have Broadstripe cable service, you’ll want to read about their upcoming franchise transfer to new owner Wave Broadband.  And, if you can volunteer for Social Media Coaching, or if your nonprofit needs some Social Media Coaching, fill out an application with Npower Seattle at Npower’s Volunteer page.

All this and more in the September edition of Brainstorm.

Background

The Online Boost Project was developed in response to what we learned from the Seattle Communities Online assessment and presentations at Neighborhood District Council and community group meetings. Neighborhood groups want to build their capacity to do effective outreach online, maintain their content, foster online engagement and use City widgets and tools.

We are looking for up to 15 projects who will receive up to $1000 in matching funds and will also participate in workshops with experts in using social media. Our goal is to boost their capacity through a project that takes them 3 months or less to complete. This is a one-time initiative and not something we’re currently able to commit to on an ongoing basis.  This program is administered by Community Technology Program of the City of Seattle Department of Information Technology (DoIT).

Program Goals

The Online Boost Project is designed to enhance skills and proficiency on the use of online resources for community groups with workshops, mentorship and seed funding to implement and/or increase their web presence. In coordination with the Seattle Communities Online initiative, we are seeking opportunities to enhance:

• Increased awareness of community issues;
• Increased community participation in problem solving; and
• Increased interaction with government.

Online Boost grantees will have access to:

• Up to $1000 mini-grants for a quick, specific project to be completed within 3 months.
• Workshop (required in order to receive funding) where participants would leave the workshop knowing what resources are out there, what their plan of action will be, and how to go about implementing.
• Mentorship and networking opportunities

The deadline is Tuesday, July 12 at midnight. The application is submitted online and all interested groups must register ahead of time in order to access the application.  You can register at: http://webgrants.seattle.gov.  If you have already registered for another grant with the City, you can log in with your user ID and password and select “Funding Opportunities” and then “Online Boost Grant.”

For help and resources visit the Online Boost Project at http://www.seattle.gov/seattlecommunitiesonline/boost.htm.

For in-person help please contact:

Amy Hirotaka, amy.hirotaka@seattle.gov, by phone at 206-733-9445; or

Vicky Yuki, vicky.yuki@seattle.gov, by phone at 206-233-7877.

Overview

A little over a year ago, the Wallingford Community Senior Center was suffering financially and about to close its doors. The economic downturn led to a lack of funding for programming, and the WCSC was falling behind on rent payments. However, with the help of a generous anonymous donor and a dedicated community of supporters, the Wallingford Community Senior Center remains open and continues to offer essential programming and services to seniors.

Before their proposed closure, the WCSC had been awarded a Bill Wright Technology Matching Fund Grant to update the computers and software in their technology center. When the crisis was over and WCSC staff and supporters began to think about its future again, they decided to push forward with the project. They successfully purchased and installed six new computer stations, as well as a new projector for workshops and classes.

One of the 6 new workstations with a wide screen flat panel monitor, and a high-resolution “Keys-U-See” keyboard made for users with low vision.

Volunteers

Volunteers have always been integral to the core programs of the Wallingford Community Senior Center. Jay Press, a star volunteer, started helping out in WCSC’s community technology center over six years ago. Jay began his tenure as WCSC’s resident computer guru, when he helped out with the computers in the old CTC. Community members also sought his advice, coming to the technology center to get assistance and have questions answered. Additionally, Jay visited – and continues to visit – seniors’ homes to help them address problems with their personal computers. Old computers find new life in Jay’s care, as he refurbishes them and gives them away to seniors and other folks in the community who might not otherwise have access to home technology.

Throughout the long process of planning, purchasing, and installing the computers and software funded by the Technology Matching Fund, Jay provided practical, hands-on support. He even modified the furniture to fit the new flat screen monitors, showcasing his carpentry skills. Jay values challenging himself, and setting up and installing the network and Windows 7 allowed him to gain new skills.

Volunteer Jay Press makes sure the desks are ready for the new monitors.

Jay continues to volunteer about 25 hours a week at the WCSC. He loves to learn new things as he supports WCSC’s technology center, which keeps him challenged and interested. He’s fond of the WCSC staff, saying “it’s icing on the cake” that the staff is kind, responsive, and appreciative.
Many other volunteers also make the WCSC’s technology programs possible. Computer mentors and instructors enjoy spending time helping seniors (and other community members) learn how to make technology work for them.

New Programs

The Wallingford Community Senior Center has reinvigorated is programming for the technology center, offering many exciting new classes learning opportunities. Norah Erwin-Stewart, WCSC’s Program Coordinator, has recruited volunteers and teaches some classes herself, along with fellow staff member Liz Crane. A mix of paid trainers and volunteer instructors also teach classes, creating the capacity for exciting, robust technology courses!

New course offerings include:

• Skype Demos
• Facebook for Boomers and Beyond
• Digital Camera basics
• Tablet (iPad, etc.) Demos
• Computer mentoring for both PCs and Macs

To learn more about the Wallingford Community Senior Center, visit http://wallingfordseniors.org.

Please see the Request for Proposals (RFP) posted at http://www.seattle.gov/doit/vendor.htm. The deadline to submit a proposal is April 15, 2011, at 4 p.m. PDT.