2018 Don Singleton Volunteer of the Year Award
It is our pleasure to announce the 2018 Volunteer of the Year recipient as well as the other nominees. Volunteers are the back bone of our clubs as well as APCUG. The below volunteers have made a difference in their groups and we thank them for that.
As one judge said: “Almost as hard as the mid-term elections. Still some great leaders of computer organizations, wish they all could be the VOTY.”
Thank you to the 2018 VOTY judges: Bob Gostischa, sponsor; Judi McDowell, 2012 VOTY; Cheryl Wester, former APCUG Representative.
CONGRATULATIONS TO DWIGHT “J.J.” JOHNSON, 2018 VOTY
Dwight “J.J.” Johnson, Founder / Membership Chair
Lake County Area Computer Enthusiasts (LCACE)
Brief explanation of why you feel your group’s nominee should receive the Don Singleton Volunteer of the Year award.
Dwight “J.J.” Johnson founded our club in 1983 and has held every officer position over the years (some on multiple occasions) and has kept us together and vibrant for 35 years. He is truly the ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of our club! In addition, he routinely reaches out to other local computer clubs to share information and ideas, solicits new members for our club and volunteers as a computer expert at a local Senior Center.
Describe how your volunteer has made a difference to your group. For example: Show specific examples of your volunteer’s roles and responsibilities.
Our club started out as the Lake County Atari User Group, with an Atari-specific focus. Under J.J.’s leadership, our club was a recognized leader among Atari clubs and hosted several national Atari conventions.
As technology changed, J.J. ensured that the club did as well. In 1992, he changed our name to Lake County Area Computer Enthusiasts, in part to reflect a shift to a broader technology focus. Meanwhile, he immersed himself in digital photography and used his new-found knowledge to provide photo services for club events and to teach interested members more about this new subject. As digital video technology became available at the consumer level, J.J. repeated the process. He now frequently records our monthly presentations and posts them online so that members who were unable to attend a meeting can have access to the presentation. He is also our “go-to” person to coordinate showings of APCUG VTC and other YouTube technology-related video presentations at monthly meetings.
As a further assist to presenters and our Program Chair, J.J. created a program evaluation form which he distributes to members before each month’s presentation. Afterwards, he collects the completed forms, tabulates the results and shares them with the presenter, Program Chair and President. And, speaking of monthly meetings, J.J. purchases door prizes and runs our door prize raffle and 50/50 financial raffle at each meeting.
As our current Membership Chair, J.J. is our contact person to the outside world. He handles calls and/or emails from individuals or organizations seeking computer assistance, those wishing to join our organization, potential presenters and other local computer clubs. He also serves as our APCUG contact and passes along related APCUG information to his fellow officers.
J.J. is our current Webmaster and maintains our website, our Google Group email account (which allows any member to easily share information with or request assistance from our entire membership) and our Facebook account. He keeps fellow club officers up-to-date with member name, address and contact information listings, along with individual photos of each member, helpful in keeping track of who is who at our meetings. (In this regard he also maintains a library of member ID cards, displaying name and photo, which they pick up at the beginning of each meeting and return at the end.)
He assists our Newsletter Editor in publishing our monthly newsletter, providing photos and material from other computer clubs. J.J. steps in for the Editor when he is off on vacation or otherwise unable to prepare the monthly issue and deserves credit for making our newsletters available online in an easy-to-read Flip Album format (in addition to the traditional PDF version.)
Our annual Holiday Party depends heavily on J.J.’s contributions. He designs and prints the flyer for our Holiday Raffle, arranges for special raffle ticket printing & distribution and purchases the raffle prizes (in addition to the usual assortment of door prizes). At the party itself, he provides photo services and arranges games and associated prizes (such as our Ugly Sweater Contest).
In addition to his many contributions to our club, J.J. also visits other local computer clubs and shares information and ideas with them. He is also a regular volunteer at a local Senior Center, providing computer assistance and presentations to their clients.
J.J. began our club with the motto, “Members helping members”; it is as true today as it was then, in large part due to his personal example!
The below nominees received Certificates of Appreciation
Ron Brown, Program director, webmaster, classroom instructor, EVAC rep, APCUG instructor, Technical support
Silvercom Computer & Technology Club
Brief explanation of why you feel your group’s nominee should receive the Don Singleton Volunteer of the Year award.
I have been in the club for at least 10 years and for the eight years that I have known Ron Brown he has selfishly given of himself and never asked for anything. Through my 4 years of being president, Ron has worn many hats. He has become one of my dearest friends and in a cinch, I know I can always count on him.
Describe how your volunteer has made a difference to your group. For example: Show specific examples of your volunteer’s roles and responsibilities.
There’s not a job that’s too big or too small that I haven’t asked for Ron’s help with; whether it’s help with coffee and donuts or the many, many hours he spends, during the summer, setting up programs that he gives for our club. He has helped me to increase our club membership to almost 300 members this year. Whether it’s teaching a class, helping someone with a technical problem, looking up an iPhone problem or an Android question he’s always there. As president, when I have a new idea for starting a new Sig group, he thinks it’s a great idea and always wants to run with it. Technology has come with its challenges and Ron has helped our large membership to face them and not be afraid of them and this is what I needed and our group has needed. As you can imagine, seniors are afraid of facing challenges that they are unaware of but if we can make them feel comfortable and what they’re lacking the information of and make them feel comfortable of the unknown, then our mission is accomplished, and Ron helps them do that.
Pierre Darmon, President
Westchester PCUG
Brief explanation of why you feel your group’s nominee should receive the Don Singleton Volunteer of the Year award.
During the gradually debilitating illness of our beloved former president Richard Nayman, Pierre quietly volunteered to assist in administrative club duties, thus relieving Richie of significant responsibility. On Richie’s death, Pierre was elected club president. Since he took office 18 months ago, he has infused energy and has inspired increased member interest in the Westchester PC Users Group.
Describe how your volunteer has made a difference to your group. For example: Show specific examples of your volunteer’s roles and responsibilities.
Pierre’s background has been in the IT industry for over 30 years. He held many management and non-management positions at IBM and is now a PC/Mac computer support and education consultant, serving businesses and individuals.
His efforts, drive, determination, and concern for WPCUG now contribute immensely toward invigorating our group’s activities as a thriving 21st-century functioning computer club. Its growing membership, a monthly average of 16 workshops, the weekly recycling/refurbishing/donating workshop, well-attended General Meetings, and productive board of directors are attributable to Pierre. He produces a technology news and tips column for our Weekly Update, emailed to every member with the next week’s workshop schedule and club announcements. His relentless, but fine hand and gentle manner have immensely improved WPCUG.
Pierre Darmon has examined and revised every endeavor of this group with the goal of improvement. In 18 months, he has implemented major updates and changes to every program and operation of Westchester PC Users Group.
Here is how he has made major and positive differences to our group:
- updated and computerized the membership renewal system by creating an electronic file for admission of members to monthly meetings, allowing our greeter at the General Meeting sign-in desk to electronically ascertain membership status, solicit dues if necessary, apply needed biographical updates, and which permits new member information input;
- enhanced our PayPal membership renewal procedure, including member-originated input in the membership database;
- streamlined, updated, and coordinated our disparate membership and email lists, eliminating hundreds of inactive members as he corrected other information, taking many days to finalize;
- revised and modernized our publicity handout, deleting inaccuracies and incorporating a new logo and design. He coordinated the skills of several club members to achieve a successful result;
- upgraded the club website and recently obtained and implemented the club’s https certificate;
- moved our members’ communications platform to MailChimp, an improvement from the previous vendor, where he advises about last-minute event issues and weather cancellations;
- leads the monthly Board of Director meetings and General Meetings, including a monthly hour-long Q&A at club meetings using his vast knowledge and ability;
- builds club membership by continuing to give presentations at local public libraries where he is well received and his talks are well attended;
- works with other club members to create the club’s active and growing Meetup group (Greater Westchester Personal Tech and Computer Users Group), which has helped build the club’s membership;
- prepares and presents his own monthly two-hour workshop on various tech topics, ranging from IBM’s Watson (in which he was deeply involved) to virtualization to security;
- steps in when scheduled General Meeting presenters fail to appear and even then delivers a solid, worthwhile presentation, an example of which is Watson, IBM’s signature product that he discussed from firsthand experience;
- substitutes when workshop leaders are unavailable at the last minute, successfully leading an impromptu two-hour meeting;
- writes a monthly informative message in the club newsletter, encouraging participation in club activities;
- creates and manages a Google calendar of club activities accessible to all members, which allows both an amplified description of upcoming events and an easily updated platform.
Terry Harvey, Program Chairman
Wisconsin All-Computer Users Club
Brief explanation of why you feel your group’s nominee should receive the Don Singleton Volunteer of the Year award.
Terry is the most active and most committed member of the club, both as officer and just-a-member and has been since before I joined when I moved to Milwaukee in 2005.
Describe how your volunteer has made a difference to your group. For example: Show specific examples of your volunteer’s roles and responsibilities.
Terry makes personal (and charming) contact with each new person who enters the room at a meeting. She is interested in every member. She works hard at things like attending meetings, writing minutes for the newsletter or seeing that someone does, keeping an eye on making raffle prizes new and relevant, responding to members’ needs and interests, learning more about technology all the time. She is the beautiful and pleasant heart of our club.
Paul Howard, President
Potomac Area Technology and Computer Society
Brief explanation of why you feel your group’s nominee should receive the Don Singleton Volunteer of the Year award.
Paul’s the forever energizer bunny of multiple DC-area groups. He’s been steadfast volunteer/officer/director of WACUG and NCTCUG — which merged to form PATACS — for decades. When he became WACUG President long ago, he rescued the group from slow demise, even with the presence of other outstanding volunteers. He was an asset at APCUG’s combined BOD/BODA meeting at the At-Sea conference. He’s the always-available volunteer-of-last-resort when essential things must be done.
Describe how your volunteer has made a difference to your group. For example: Show specific examples of your volunteer’s roles and responsibilities.
When WACUG/NCTCUG became less self-sufficient, Paul played a key role in initiating the merger and shepherding it to completion, through all the details of reconciling differing organizational documents, dealing with multiple (state/federal) reporting requirements, understanding differing practices regarding meetings and newsletters, and (perhaps most challenging) patiently accommodating the two groups’ somewhat clashing cultures.
He’s been/done treasurer, director, general handyman, go-to guy to get things done, A/V and meeting setup, meeting program arranger, etc. Everything! He not only wears many hats, he wears them with grace, discipline, and perseverance.
Paul arranged for WACUG (and continuing with PATACS) to meet with the OLLI PC User Group — OPCUG — a part of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, where Paul’s a director. This provides PATACS with a stellar meeting site, tremendous infrastructure support, additional financial resources, a steady meeting turnout of 40-75, and a great source of new members (since OLLI has 1000+ members).
A WACUG colleague commented, “For all the work Paul has done and all the general good humor and informativeness he conveys, this would be a well-earned honor for him.”
Dale Hrabak, Volunteer Video Podcast Producer
Washington Apple Pi Mac User Group
Brief explanation of why you feel your group’s nominee should receive the Don Singleton Volunteer of the Year award.
Dale helps our club immensely by manning cameras at our main presenter meetings, then taking the several tracks and polishing to a high level video podcast we make available to our members.
Describe how your volunteer has made a difference to your group. For example: Show specific examples of your volunteer’s roles and responsibilities.
These video podcasts are a substantial benefit of Pi membership; members value the ability to go back to watch a presentation they missed, or want to refresh about. Dale uses Final Cut Pro to polish two videos from each meeting, a Q&A session that begins the meeting, and the presenter program. He helpfully includes chapter headings, so a member can focus on a particular part of the Q&A or the presentation. Not long ago, I introduced a Q&A trailer as “CNN comes to the Pi” because Dale had included a live picture in picture of people asking questions and the answers and discussion! Dale shows his video in process at the first Clubhouse Saturday of the month, and also creates a wonderful meeting trailer that I show at our 2nd Thursday Afternoon Learners Meeting in Bethesda – so attendees who didn’t see the presentation get a taste of it and these lead to great discussions.
Dale is also quite gentle with me, who as the Pi president this year, doesn’t always remember his video requirements! The smartest investment the Pi ever made was buying Final Cut Pro for Dale. His volunteer contributions to the club have been stellar!
Bill James, Vice President, Study Group Leader
Computer Club of Oklahoma City
Brief explanation of why you feel your group’s nominee should receive the Don Singleton Volunteer of the Year award.
Bill teaches, explains and makes the “be fuddled” seem clear. His commitment is that technology should be as “user friendly” as possible to everyone.
Describe how your volunteer has made a difference to your group. For example: Show specific examples of your volunteer’s roles and responsibilities.
He prepares & sends our weekly “This Week at CCOKC” to our large mailing list. This tells what is going to happen that week. Plus a Funny that is a “groaner” and we love it. He has infinite patience with all who seek his help. We are so fortunate to have Bill as a guiding force and Friend.
Bill is the Leader for most weekly meetings. He uses a variety of formats. Tips and Tricks has a printed study outline, while the Q & A format is open. He is study group leader for two monthly groups: Mobile Devices (Android & I-phone) and one Windows study group.
He teaches some classes and has designed and teaches Home Automation Class.
This is how we achieve the objectives of CCOKC and drives our success.
Dave Rauch, Computer Maintenance Committee
East-Central Ohio Technology User’s Club
Brief explanation of why you feel your group’s nominee should receive the Don Singleton Volunteer of the Year award.
He has a generous attitude and is always open to help with any project or problem that would benefit the entire club.
Describe how your volunteer has made a difference to your group. For example: Show specific examples of your volunteer’s roles and responsibilities.
Our club sponsors ongoing computer classes for the community. Seniors have first choice. He is one of three Maintenance Committee members who must keep at least 13 computers loaded, updated and maintained at all times. He attends three of our Repair SIGs every month giving unselfishly of personal time and talent.
He set up and oversees a Recycle-for-Rebate program (using donated ink cartridges) that enables him to provide expensive, desirable, computer-related devices (such as Laptop Computers, Tablets, External Hard drives, large-capacity flash drives, DVDs, high-end office supplies, etc.) for our Raffles and Door Prizes that boost our Club Treasury! He comes early to club meetings and sets upthe projector, computers, screen projection, sound system, etc. He volunteers for our twice-a-year Recycle programs. He helps with our community Food Pantry Donations program. He helps with in-house maintenance, such as minor electrical and plumbing problems (which saves us money). He and another member repaired/refurbished the awnings on our building exterior to avoid using club money to make the necessary repairs.
Stan Wallner, President
Central Florida Computer Society
Brief explanation of why you feel your group’s nominee should receive the Don Singleton Volunteer of the Year award.
The Central Florida Computer Society would have ceased to exist, had it not been for the efforts of Stan Wallner. No members would step forward to run for any offices other than members of the Board of Directors. All of the positions were going to be empty. Stan stepped forward & volunteered to run as President.
Describe how your volunteer has made a difference to your group. For example: Show specific examples of your volunteer’s roles and responsibilities.
Like many computer user groups, the Central Florida Computer Society in Orlando, Florida has seen its membership shrink and volunteers evaporate. Officers moved, became burnt out, or worse. There were discussions of folding the organization. However, longtime member & former President & Vice-President, Stan Wallner, volunteered to serve as President. Once he did so, he convinced some other members to take other officer positions. He has now served 3 years as President.
Stan has led the largest attended Special Interest Group, the Tech SIG, for at least 15 years. He has made sure that the SIG had a meeting place which at times was difficult. The SIG has been meeting at a local Denny’s Restaurant for several years. Stan lugs the CFCS computer and projector to both the main meeting on the second Sunday and his SIG meeting on the fourth Tuesday. He also sets up the equipment for each of those meetings.
As one of the longest continuous members, Stan has always served in some capacity in the organization. When CFCS needed to find a meeting place, it was Stan contacting libraries, organizations, or following up other suggested locations for availability and negotiating for free or very inexpensive rent. Due to the lack of volunteers, Stan has been acting as Treasurer and as the program chair. He is constantly soliciting technical people to speak at CFCS meetings, getting them to agree to speak, and doing the follow up to make sure that they show up. Stan has been the member to make sure that other members follow through when assigned or volunteered for some activity.
Except for a few years, Stan has served on the Board of Directors of CFCS since the 1990’s. When asked, he served as Vice-President under several Presidents and carried out responsibilities that helped those Presidents be successful.
If you know Stan, you know he schedules himself tightly and is noted for always running a bit late, but he always come through. He is extremely passionate about CFCS and has been the glue keeping it together for years. He tries to help members with their computer problems, researches issues, and shares his findings with the members. He is deserving the honor of being the APCUG Don Singleton Volunteer of the Year.
John Wickliffe, Board member, SIG leader, go-to guy, and more
Tacoma Area PC Users Group
Brief explanation of why you feel your group’s nominee should receive the Don Singleton Volunteer of the Year award.
John Wickliffe has been an active member of our club for a couple of decades. He is our main technical guru. Working above and beyond, he presents topics to the club several times a year, brings in new technology, leads several SIGs, helps staff the weekly help lab, works with several other groups in the area (Apple, Linux, and software groups), and many other things that have benefited our members and the public. Plus, he has been a Board member for as long as I can remember.
Describe how your volunteer has made a difference to your group. For example: Show specific examples of your volunteer’s roles and responsibilities.
As the guru, John arrives early and ensures all the hardware and software work for our meetings. As technology advances or needs arise, John researches and finds equipment and upgrades. His diligence has saved the club scarce funding. His knowledge and willingness to research ensures we have the best equipment for the price.
He is selflessly willing to assist others. Our club provides a weekly “open lab” to the public. John assists in the lab. Outside the lab, John helps club members and others (including house calls) with their technical issues.
As a SIG leader, John has led various groups relating to new beginners, Android phones, Linux, bring your questions (open for anything), and more. His versatility enables him to meet the needs of those that ask.
For over a decade, John has provided, at a minimum, five monthly presentations a year at our monthly meetings. He researches topics, develops the presentation, and then provides the information to our members. Topics span the technology world: hardware, alternative operating systems, software, new gadgets, what to expect with the new Microsoft updates, and more.
Most of John’s work is behind the scenes. You see him doing things, but you don’t always appreciate how important his roles are in the functioning of the club (he makes it look easy too). Recognition through the VOTY award would be a helpful way to show we appreciate his service.