Carroll County Times Articles
Carroll Tech Council, Alive & Well
by Ron Harrington – December 24, 2006
This is an exciting time to be a member of the Carroll Technology Council. In its brief 3.5 year history, and especially in 2006, this newcomer, non-profit organization has made remarkable strides in achieving its mission to provide leadership, information and resources to educate, attract and influence technology in Carroll County.
February 2006
The TECH COUNCIL achieved a level of legitimacy when it joined nineteen other non-profits as tenants in Westminster's Non-Profit Center on Clifton Boulevard. Prior to this move it had no permanent address. Tech Council members immediately took the lead in forming a tenant alliance to purchase Internet services at a group rate, rather than each non profit buying the service on its own. This resulted in collective annual savings on Internet services of over $17,000 per year. Tech Council members also completed the necessary infrastructure to the building and the network wiring in the individual office spaces of these non profits; and they continue to provide ongoing tech support as needed.
During 2006
The Tech Council achieved a membership milestone when it increased membership by over 50% enabling the organization to more successfully fulfill its mission. Many Tech Council programs are aimed at “giving back” to the community. Tech Council Youth programs include:
- Scholarships for the “Kids In Technology” courses
given by the Carroll Community College - Financial support for the Carroll County “FIRST” Robotics Team
- Support of 4-H “Vex” Robotics And Technology Club
- CompuKids, its signature program
CompuKids
CompuKids is one of the Tech Council's most notable and successful accomplishments. The program brings technology in the form of refurbished computer systems to the homes of qualified Carroll County families with school-age children that otherwise would have gone without. Tech Council members, and even non-member volunteers, have responded to the CompuKids program by giving of their time and talents on WorkDays to renovate computers and prepare them for distribution to families in need. To date, nearly 150 computer systems, complete with software, have been donated to families and non-profit agencies throughout Carroll County.
Technology Advisory Committee
In 2006, the TECH COUNCIL established a Technology Advisory Committee to keep the Tech Council abreast of emerging technology and, especially, to serve as a catalyst for sharing information on existing and emerging technology with business, government and the community at large. Members of the TECH COUNCIL sit on the Westminster City Technical Advisory Board, the Adult Education Advisory Board and The ITT Technical Institute Advisory Board.
Making a Difference
The Tech Council not only promotes and creates technology awareness but, most importantly, lends credibility to Carroll County as a location for technology businesses to prosper. It has been recognized by both the Maryland State and the Carroll County Departments of Business and Economic Development for what it has accomplished in advancing the status of Carroll County and, by association, the State of Maryland as a premier location for technology-based economic development. The future holds great promise for the Carroll County and for the Tech Council as it builds membership, widens its span of influence and continues “making a difference” in Carroll's technological future.
About the Author
Ron Harrington is the owner of Protectron Lighting Control, and President of the Carroll Technology Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating businesses, government and residents about technology issues. Questions are welcomed and may be addressed in future articles. Email advisors@carrolltechcouncil.org or go to www.carrolltechcouncil.org for a list of Advisor categories.
The viewpoints expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Carroll Technology Council.
