Native American

Preface

Native American

AchievementCenter Leadership Manual

2007

Edited by:

Elesa Livingston and Jan Adkins

All products and service names that are mentioned in this book are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and are used for purposes of identification only.

First Edition, 2007

Preface

Your AchievementCenter is a part of the SeniorNetLearningCenter organization. Welcome to SeniorNet, a nationwide community of computer-using older adults! It is an organization of volunteers learning and teaching at Learning and AchievementCenters, using computers in their homes or in community organizations and communicating via the SeniorNet website.

SeniorNet was launched in l986 by Dr. Mary Furlong, Professor of Education at the University of San Francisco, as an academic research project. It became an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in 1990. As of 2006, SeniorNet is celebrating its 20th year of operation and has over 25,000 members, and over 200 Learning Centers throughout the United States. It is estimated that SeniorNet has introduced well over 100,000 seniors to computers.

SeniorNet headquarters supports locally sponsored and operated Learning and AchievementCenters, providing consultation, training, software and curriculum. At these Centers students are introduced to computers in an environment tailored specifically to their needs, interests, and learning style.

In addition, SeniorNet publishes educational materials and online newsletters. SeniorNet also helps to organize conferences for senior computer users. These publications and events provide information, ideas and inspiration for our members and volunteers across the country.

SeniorNet’s website: offers users an opportunity to communicate and network together, sharing ideas and examples of their work and providing mutual support.

LearningCenters and AchievementCenters are a vital part of the SeniorNet organization. They provide many SeniorNet members with their first experience with computers. They offer a supportive environment, which fosters learning, friendship and fun. We know your Center will make its unique contributions and will quickly become a vital part of our growing community.

We thank you for joining SeniorNet in our mission!

Best regards,

Elesa Livingston
SeniorNet Program Manager

Preface

Table of Contents

SeniorNet Native american Achievement Center Leadership Manual......

2007

Edited by:......

Elesa Livingston and Jan Adkins

Preface......

Introduction......

Section I: Achievement Center Basics......

Basic Principles......

Achievement Center Activities......

Classes......

The SeniorNet Community......

Other Learning and Social Activities......

Starting A Center......

Achievement Center Sponsors......

SeniorNet and NACC Support......

Facilities......

Software......

Room Arrangements......

A Business Plan...... 15

Budgets and Finance...... 16

Managing Waiting Lists...... 18

Effective Volunteers: Your Most Important Resource...... 19

The Advisory Committee 19

The Leadership Cabinet

Other Positions......

Finding “Peer" Teachers...... 23

Rewards for Volunteers......

Maintaining a Achievement Center...... 29

SeniorNet Provides On-Going Assistance...... 29

Collaborative Activities...... 30

Equipment Maintenance...... 30

Teaching Studentss...... 31

Lifelong Learning...... 31

Teaching Methods that Work...... 33

Knowing What Your Students Want......

Basic SeniorNet Curriculum...... 35

What's Next: Growing Your Center...... 35

Educational Programs...... 35

Additional Curriculum...... 36

Create A Sense of Kinship...... 36

Growing Membership...... 38

Impacting the Community...... 38

Community Service...... 38

Changing the Images...... 39

Getting Community Support...... 40

Section II: SeniorNet Online...... 41

SeniorNet’s Online Community...... 41

Features...... 41

Coordinators and Instructors Roles with SeniorNet.org...... 42

The Leadership Exchange...... 42

Leadership Exchange Contents:...... 42

SeniorNet Online Newsletters and Periodicals...... 44

SECTION III: SUSTAINABILITY 46

Becoming Self-sufficient in Years 1-3 46

Developing Sustainability for Year 4 and Beyond 47

Section IV: Inspirations...... 49

Achievement Center Innovations...... 49

Community Outreach Success Stories...... 49

with their local communities...... 49

Puget Sound Creates “Granpals” and “The Brown Bag”...... 49

Giving to the Community...... 50

Seniors and High School Students Make Online Connections...... 51

Member-Generated Classes Prove Popular...... 52

Hawaiian SeniorNet Members Tell Story, Learn High-Tech Video Software...... 52

Centers Keep Members Happy in Many Ways...... 53

Seniors SNUG in Oklahoma City...... 53

Peoria Holds an Annual Conference...... 56

Section V: Additional Resources...... 56

Public Relations...... 56

Books on Teaching Older Adults:...... 56

BOOKS ON MANAGING VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS 56

AchievementCenter Basics

Introduction

LearningCenter volunteers and the staff of SeniorNet wrote this book. It is designed to help you start and operate your AchievementCenter successfully.

SeniorNet has been establishing and supporting Learning Centers since 1986. This book describes the policies and practices that have had the greatest success over those years. It has been modified and changed as we have learned from the experience of our LearningCenter leaders.

This book is divided into five sections:

Section I: AchievementCenter Basics

This section will help you organize your resources to get your AchievementCenter up and running. It will concentrate on three areas: your facility, your people, and your policies and procedures.

Section II: Operations and Online Participation

Through SeniorNet’s website, older adults across the country keep in touch, learn together and share experiences and expertise with others. SeniorNet’s website also contains the Leadership Exchange, an extremely valuable tool which includes information on everything from course curriculum to marketing your center.

This section also provides administration and operations suggestions. Information on publications, regional conferences and research are included here.

Section III: Sustainability

SeniorNet has developed some sustainability options based on successful LearningCenter programs and current opportunities brought about by technology and online businesses. This section provides suggestions to grow and sustain your AchievementCenter program.

Section IV: Inspirations

Stories about the experiences of other Learning Centers will provide you with ideas and inspirations for new and innovative programs that your center could implement

Section V: Additional Resources

Contains suggested materials, which can assist in teaching AchievementCenter students and managing a volunteer program.

Section I: AchievementCenter Basics

Basic Principles

All the Native American Achievement Centers adhere to SeniorNet's basic principles of learning and teaching, sharing and serving. While SeniorNet Learning Centers serve adults 50 and over, Native American Achievement Centers will serve all ages.

“User Friendly” Environment

One of the reasons for SeniorNet’s success is that we continually offer a warm and friendly environment that makes learning about computers fun for both the students and teachers. It smoothes the pathway from computer literacy (knowing the basics) to fluency (using the computer as a tool for specific tasks) to mastery (using the computer to share knowledge and wisdom in one or more areas.) Some students will learn faster than others. Some students will go farther than others. The AchievementCenter should consider the students’ abilities when setting the pace of the classes.

Computers as Tools

SeniorNet is dedicated to encouraging lifelong learning. We believe the trip is half the fun! A computer is an important tool for members to use, and learning about one is not an end in itself. SeniorNet classes are designed to help members use the computer to accomplish tasks they see as important, whether that means preparing for employment, writing a family history, managing personal finances, recording garden pest data, editing digital photos or a range of other tasks.

Native American Achievement Centers will have the benefit of the SeniorNet Hands-On Learning curriculum as well as curriculum provided by the Native American Chamber of Commerce and other organizations. In addition to tasks that the students see as important, there will be courses to help students build reading, writing, employment and life skills. The additional curriculum will be in the various venues provided by the curriculum contributor.

Peer Teaching

Native AmericanAchievement Centers should use a peer-teaching model. We believe that members learn best when taught by peers in a collaborative environment. That is why our instructional materials are designed to make beginning teachers comfortable and why we encourage Centers to turn their best learners into teachers whenever possible.

AchievementCenter Activities

Some of the AchievementCenteractivities that happen routinely are:

Classes

AchievementCenter classes can have anywhere from 5 to 10 participants. Centers usually limit class sizes to match the number of computers they have.

SeniorNet's curriculum offers classes that cover computer basics, Word, Quicken, Genealogy, Photo Editing and the Internet. Centers have different preferences regarding course length and scheduling.

The basic computer curriculum for an AchievementCenter is divided into a number of short courses to allow the students to schedule their course time into their work and family lives. These basic courses are: Computer Fundamentals – 4 Lessons; Introduction to Microsoft Word – 3 Lessons; Introduction to Internet – 2 Lessons; Introduction Email – 3 Lessons; and CyberSecurity- 4 Lessons.

Some of the SeniorNet Learning Centers have developed classes that parallel the headquarters classes or cover different topics. They have shared their curriculum on the Leadership Exchange. (You will read much more about the Leadership Exchange in Section II.) If you want to teach a subject that isn’t covered by the headquarters material, check the Leadership Exchange in the LC Curriculum Download area. Someone may have already prepared a course for it.

Computer Use

Most Centers allow lab time for individual computer use. This allows students who don't have a computer to practice, to complete personal activities, to help others, or to work for the Center.

The AchievementCenter Community

Achievement Centers are more than classrooms. They become a community of learners, and that community is linked to computer-users all over the country. This sense of extended community can provide education, inspiration and fun for your students, as well as contributing to society and improving technological skills.

Outreach/Community Service

AchievementCenters and members may find many ways their new computer skills can help the wider community and contribute to society by providing assistance to others. The idea of using newfound skills to benefit others appeals to many learners, especially those who already devote lots of their time to volunteering.

Students may use their new skills to find information for themselves or others or to become involved in intergenerational projects between elders and adults with children or teens.

Your Center also can participate in the SeniorNet community through use of the SeniorNet online network and contributions of ideas and work to SeniorNet publications.

Other Learning and Social Activities

Achievement Centers also have meetings, form computer user groups, hold parties, potlucks, events and workshops. More information and ideas about undertaking this wide range of activities are offered throughout this Leadership Manual.

Starting a Center

To start a Center you must:

Equip and set-up an efficient and comfortable computer lab.
Establish a large, well-trained and enthusiastic group of volunteers, including coordinating council members, instructors, coaches and others.
Recruit eager-to-learn members with various levels of computer knowledge.
Establish supportive relationships with your tribal organizations and community
Establish supportive relationships with your SeniorNet, NACC and IBM representatives.

Effective Volunteers are the most important part of the AchievementCenter program. The next few sections discuss these elements in more detail.

AchievementCenter Sponsors

Achievement Centers are sponsored by IBM Corporation, SeniorNet and the Native American Chamber of Commerce. IBM is the financial sponsor while SeniorNet provides software, curriculum and training. The NACC provides curriculum and software in areas other than technology as well as training as available from the software sponsor.

On-going communications with your off reservation sponsors is very important. They should be recognized and thanked for their contributions to the Achievement Center Program. They will continue to provide email and phone support for 3 years after the opening of the AchievementCenter. Your relationship with them may open doors for additional grant opportunities for your tribe as well as other Native American reservations.

Tribal Facilitysponsors provideincidental costs, and in-kind services such as lab space and staff assistance. The value of the on-going support from your tribal sponsor is great. It includes the value of the space, insurance, office facilities and often administrative support, which over time add up to a very significant amount of local support for the AchievementCenter.

SeniorNet and NACC Support

SeniorNet offers you support as you begin organizing your Center, and supports you through its growth. When your center is formed and volunteers are gathered, a SeniorNet Regional Consultant will come out to your site, explain more about organization and give a detailed training on all of the software, curriculum and teaching methodology used by SeniorNet. All of SeniorNet’s Regional Consultants are either past or present SeniorNet Learning Center Coordinators, who have detailed knowledge of everything involved in managing the program. They are an excellent resource. After your center is operational your Regional Consultant, SeniorNet headquarters and the NACC will continue to support you with your needs.

Your Center sponsors have paid for this support, so take advantage of it. As your Center matures, your membership in the SeniorNet community and the Native American Chamber of Commerce will continue to be a resource. In addition, you will become an “expert” for newer Achievement Centers as they join the SeniorNet community.

Printed materials

This book, Achievement Center Leadership Manual is a comprehensive overview of your Center’s organization and operation. It will make starting your center easier.

Consultation

The SeniorNet staff and your Regional Consultant are as close as the telephone and can help you with everything from choosing equipment to organizing your volunteers. You can also always e-mail for assistance. The Native American Chamber of Commerce is also available for support in is area of responsibility. Email Carroll Cocchia at for assistance.

On-site Training

Your Regional Consultant spends several days with the volunteers covering everything from set-up for your lab to our SeniorNetintroductory curriculum. A typical training schedule typically includes a one half-day orientation (associated with this book), 2 days of hands-on training with the software and curriculum, and a half-day planning session with the Achievement Center Committee and Advisory Committee.

Signage

IBM, SeniorNet and NACC provide a banner for your AchievementCenter. We also suggest that you put at least one sign outside your center, to attract new students.

Curriculum and Software

SeniorNet’s basic instruction program is posted on the Leadership Exchange. It is written is for Microsoft Office software. Each course includes a student book and student lessons. Centers are notified as new classes become available or existing classes are updated. You can download the curriculum from the Leadership Exchange, print it out and make copies for use in the AchievementCenter.

SeniorNet also provides your Center with software tailored to the most common interests of members. Some of the software we have made available to Centers includes Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Works Suite, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Quicken, Medical Expense Manager, and Family Tree Maker. In some cases, Microsoft Office may be available through a grant from Microsoft.

The NACC will provide software not related to technology such as: Speed Reading and Roots and Shoots.

Permission To Use SeniorNet Name

Achievement Centers may use the SeniorNet registered trademark for material and publicity. This mark identifies you as part of an international movement.

Facilities

Each Center requires at least a computer room, which can be used for regularly scheduled classes and “open lab” time during the week. Setting up and maintaining your AchievementCenter facility can be a big job. Creating a workable, pleasant environment will be important to the success of your program.

You may also have space for meetings, socializing and parties. In many cases, the Achievement Centers share space with other programs or activities. If this applies to you, your group will need to work closely with your “roommates” to ensure you all get a fair share of the facility use.

This section outlines the requirements for hardware, software and physical space you should consider.

AchievementCenter Lab Program

The AchievementCenter equipment program will provide 10 compatible PC-based computers and monitors, a router to network the computers, one all-in-one color printer, a digital projector with screen, and a digital camera. Accessories include speakers and a microphone.

The tribe will need to provide the Internet Connections (T1, cable or DSL) into the lab classroom as well as cables to connect the computers and printer. Equipment set up must be completed by the tribe prior to the training week. SeniorNet assistance is available the first day of the training week to set the computers up for the curriculum and install additional software and programs as needed.

Software

You will need various kinds of software at your Center. Much of that software will be provided by SeniorNet or will come with your hardware. This software will be upgraded from time to time, but there may be additional programs you'd like to have. That additional software is an expense you will want to include in your budget. Or maybe you can find a local organization willing to support your Center by contributing the software.

Operating software

We currently provide Windows XP as the Operating System and Deep Freeze as security software.

Microsoft Office software

Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher

Special-Purpose software

These software packages allow your students to complete some of the most popular computer activities, such as financial record keeping, digital photo editing, and family history record keeping. SeniorNet provides your Center with all our current software when you open, and we will announce any time a new or updated program is available to you.