(Tanya Renne, Orchid Suites and Susan O’Connor, Timothy Smith Network, introduced
by Ceasar McDowell, MIT Center for Reflective Community Practice)

Technology use by grassroots and community organizations has dramatically increased in recent years. At the same time, the benefits of new technology in society as a whole have not been equally distributed, widening the gap between the haves and the havenots. Can technology be used to close the gap?

Introduction by Ceasar McDowell, MIT Center for Reflective Community Practice

Susan O'Connor, Timothy Smith Network.
Transforming our community through technology proficiency

Build a network of forty community centers in Roxbury.

Timothy Smith was a Roxbury merchant who died in 1918. He had a philanthropic bent throughout his life.

Terms of his will:
Establish a trust to benefit the "greatest number of citizens of what had been Roxbury".

A challenge to getting forty different agencies working together.

"First, master the fundamentals." - Larry Bird.

"We must become the change we want to see." - Mahatama Gandhi

The first step was for each group to be clear about what their goals are.

You need planning for technology. You can't just stick it in a closet.

Half of the activities were focused on the centers, the other half centered on the clients.

There is now consolidated equipment purchases which results in better discounts and making sure that there were warrantees as well as better prices on T1 lines.

Established partnerships with local colleges and universities.

Established listserves.

Termed some centers into Virtual Libraries through the Boston Public Library 'VAULT'

"If you think you can, you can. And if youthink you can't, you're right."

Tanya Renne, Orchid Suites

Organizations: Closing the Technology Gap (between national organizations and local organizations)