InterConnection Newsletter - May 2005

YOU'RE INVITED - InterConnection Volunteer Appreciation and Open House Event!

Saturday, June 18th, 2005, 10am - 8pm

Take a tour of the InterConnection Computer Reuse and Learning Center, bid on items at our silent auction, and join us in thanking our volunteers.

SNACKS, DRINKS, MUSIC PROVIDED
124 N 35th St Seattle WA, 98103 see www.interconnection.org/event for a map and details
Open House and Silent Auction 10 - 6pm
Volunteer Appreciation Reception 6 - 8pm

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IN THIS NEWSLETTER:

1. Support Needed for the Computer Reuse and Learning Center
2. Computer Shipments
3. Ecycle Events
4. New Staff
5. Special Thanks
6. Website Donation Showcase

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1. Support Needed for Computer Reuse and Learning Center
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The InterConnection Computer Reuse and Learning Center teaches computer maintenance and repair skills to local community members and provides refurbished computers to non-profit organizations locally and abroad.

We need:
* VOLUNTEERS to help refurbish computers (Email info@interconnection.org)
* COMPUTER DONATIONS (See computers.interconnection.org )
* FUNDS to buy tables, benches, tools, and pay rent. (see www.interconnection.org/support/funding.php )

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2. Computer Shipments
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225 Computers for Microsoft's Community Technology Learning Centers On February 23, 2005 InterConnection shipped 90 computers and monitors to Fundación El Encuentro en Santiago, Chile and 135 computers and monitors to Shop24 Technology in Xizhi City, Taiwan. Both organizations are Microsoft accredited Community Technology Learning Centers. InterConnection partnered with Microsoft to prepare and ship computers for Microsoft's CTLC program.

367 Computer for Iraq Schools
On March 23, 2005 a 40' shipping container was filled with refurbished computers, monitors, printers and network equipment. The computer donation was sponsored by Kairos International, an international development organization working in northern Iraq. The computers will be distributed by the Kurdish Minister of Education to Kurdish schools.

20 Computer for Peace Corps Paraguay and Network for Human Development of Paraguay
On April 5, 2005 50 computers and monitors were sent to Asuncion, Paraguay. The computer sets will be distributed by Peace Corps volunteers to schools and non governmental organizations. Five computers will be received by the Network for Human Development of Paraguay (REPADEH), a non profit chaired by First Lady of Paraguay Gloria Penayo de Duarte.

160 Computers for Fiji Schools
In June, students from Ballard High will travel to Fiji to set up three computer labs at schools. The students are members of Computers for the World, a program that provides computer technology to schools around the world. 160 computers were sent to Fiji. 40 of the monitors and 60 computers were provided by InterConnection. The computers were packaged and shipped from InterConnection Computer Reuse and Learning Center.

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3. Ecycle Events
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April 2, 2004 Ballard Ecycle Event
Ballard High School's Computers for the World Club, Ballard Rotary Club, and InterConnection participated in the event. Proceeds and computers from the event will benefit Computers for the World. Students will travel to the Fiji Islands this coming June where they will be setting up three computer labs.

April 30, 2005 Earth Corps Ecycle Event
EarthCorps together with Earth Share of Washington and InterConnection accepted used computers, monitors, TVs and other electronic materials during a one day Ecycle Event. Hundreds of computers and monitors were received during the event. Thousands of dollars were raised for Earth Corps.

February 26, 2005 Ecycle Iraq
Metrocenter YMCA and King County Work Training Program, together with the non-profit InterConnection accepted used computers, monitors, TVs and other electronic materials during a one day Ecycle Event. Three-hundred and sixty computers from the event were sent to Iraq and distributed to Kurdish schools by the Kurdish Minister of Education.

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4. New Staff
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Richard Roth, Computer Reuse Program Coordinator
Richard was recently hired to increase the number of refurbished computers reused by non profits and individuals and at the same time increase the number of computers donated by businesses and individuals. Richard brings a solid background in sales and extensive knowledge of hardware and software.

Tamara Fox, Programs Coordinator
Tamara takes over as programs coordinator and will focus managing the virtual volunteer program, developing outreach campaigns and organizing fundraising activities, like our upcoming open house event. Tamara is a first year law student at Seattle University School of Law.

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5. Special Thanks
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Total Reclaim - Partner of Year
The majority of the used computers refurbished at the IC Computer Reuse and Learning Center are provided by Total Reclaim. Total Reclaim is the northwest's largest electronics recycler. Without TR's support the Center would not be able to provide the hundreds of computers that are received by the non profits and volunteers. As a gesture of our appreciation Total Reclaim was awarded a plaque that recognized them as the InterConnection Partner of the Year.

Agnes Socrates
InterConnection's first employee, Agnes Socrates, will be leaving us to pursue a new full time job. As Programs Coordinator, she did an excellent job at managing the virtual volunteer program, finding new Computer Reuse Center volunteers, and making preparations for our upcoming open house event. We wish her good luck and many thanks for her help.

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6. WEBSITE DONATION SHOWCASE
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The following websites were designed by our talented network of website design volunteers:

Busoga Integrated Development and Care Foundation, Uganda
bidcaf.interconnection.org
BIDCAF helps individuals and groups awaken to their needs and ability to change, and put this change to practical use through a participatory and partnership approach, and multiplier effect with a view toward promoting sustainable socio-economic development in a socially acceptable, gender sensitive and environmentally friendly manner.
Designed by IC Virtual Volunteer Jacky Sutton

The Sudanese Development Call Association - NIDAA, Sudan
nidaa.interconnection.org
NIDAA aims at activating and encouraging the youth and students to recognize their role as positive change actors.

Institute of Integrated Rural Development (IIRD), Bangladesh
iird.interconnection.org
Works to create a model of rural development that can be replicated in any area of the country - one that will facilitate the creation of the strong society IIRD envisions.
Designed by IC Virtual Volunteer Lucy Cole

The Nairobi Community Foundation, Nairobi
nairobi.interconnection.org
An institution that works to strengthen grassroots development by unleashing creativity in community asset-building.
Designed by IC Virtual Volunteer Lakshmi Raman