technology

Tech training for the under-served is crucial to our society - economically, socially and politically.  I have spent my entire career working toward digital equity.  As we see each segment of our lives integrated into the online world, it is becoming more important for EVERYONE to not only have access to the internet but to know how to engage in online activities safely and productively.

CTCNeT is the national organization that has traditionally provided support to community technology centers (ie, nonprofits that provided tech training to the under-served).  The initial focus for community technology centers was job training and teaching basic computer usage in low income communities.  That evolved over time to include youth media, PC repair, online safety, online job searching, in home computer programs, IT support for nonprofits and online organizing.  The target market expanded to include all technologically under-served communities, meaning not just low income but also senior citizens and the disabled.

We all dream.  We dream for ourselves and we dream for the greater good.  Making those dreams reality requires the coordination of many details.  For the technology community in Columbus Ohio, one of those requirements - encouragement and advice - occurred on October 10, 2008.   At 2.Ohio, the tech community heard from Reid Hoffmam, Judy Estrin, Mike Nelson and Craig Newmark.  The community received not only specific advice on how innovation occurs but how technology policy impacts innovation.   We also received ideas on how we, as a local tech community, can work towards establishing ourselves as a recognized tech city.

Judy Estrin discussed the big picture of how innovation occurs, all the pieces that are necessary for it to occur and how there is not currently a fertile environment for innovation.  Her comments spoke to the community and to individuals.  They spoke to what each entrepreneur must do to ensure success while also speaking to the issue of a region creating an environment in which tech entrepreneurs will flourish.

Dang, I was exhausted.  But it was completely worth it.  2.Ohio was a super success.  Over 200 in attendance.  Positive comments all around.  And we pulled it off completely with volunteers.  Amazing.  We, the volunteers, wanted to see Columbus hold an intellectual discussion around tech innovation and our current presidential election.  We wanted it so we made it happen.   

When I sent the thank you to the speakers - Reid Hoffman, Judy Estrin, Mike Nelson and our honored guest Craig Newmark -  I told them they had energized the local tech community.  Energized us to a) not only pay attention to tech policy but to engage in tech policy discussions and b) provided us very specific ideas on how Columbus can elevate our tech industry.  

Excitement is building around 2.Ohio, taking place tomorrow evening (Friday, October 10). 

Quotes:

Judy Estrin, author of Closing the Innovation Gap:Reigniting the Spark of Creativity in a Global Economy and former CTO of Cisco:

"The future of our economy and our quality of life will depend on our ability to create a culture that supports and promotes our ability to innovate. The nation faces major challenges - energy independence and climate change, national security and healthcare – each of which can provide opportunities – if we give innovation the attention it deserves," says Judy Estrin, entrepreneur and Author, Closing the Innovation Gap. "We need national leadership that has the vision, courage, and commitment to foster the right environment for innovation through wise funding, smart policy and the ability to inspire the nation and bring out the innovator in each of us.  Obama exemplifies this type of leadership."

Angela Siefer, Lumifi VP of Business Development: “Some tech jobs may be going overseas but tech innovation is very much American grown.  It can and does happen in any U.S. state and with encouragement will happen more frequently.  I love my state.  Obama's technology platform will elevate non-Silicon Valley regions like ours. There is no reason why a tremendous amount of homegrown innovation cannot happen here.  When I am asked why Hoffman and Estrin are coming to Ohio I always respond ‘Because we are a battleground state.  And because we asked."

Organizing an event completely with volunteer labor and no budget is superb.  I enjoy working with people who so believe in the event that they donate their very valuable time to ensuring the event is a tremendous success.  Of course, there is only so much we can do without a budget.  Fortunately, Resource Interactive stepped up to help us with the AV costs of 2.Ohio. 

And to keep the private reception open to those who really want to be there, we have chosen to set a ticket price for the guests.  $95 will cover the cost of the food and a few costs to coordinate 2.Ohio. 

We only have 35 remaining seats (after we provides seats to the speakers and the volunteers who put the event together).  If you want a seat, we must be able to match up your rsvp on Meetup and your credit card on Paypal!  No, its not all in one place, we are flying by the seat of our pants here!  But its full of smart dedicated people who want to see this event happen and by god it will!