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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=857185804-05102002>Hi
all!</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=857185804-05102002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=857185804-05102002>IT Samaritans will
hold it's normal biweekly meeting this upcoming at 6:30-8pm Monday, October 7th,
at Stella's coffee shop in Denver. Stella's is located on 1476 South Pearl
Street. To get there, since T-Rex is tearing away most of the exits, I'd
recommend taking the Broadway or Colorado Boulevard Exits from I-25. From
Broadway, turn east on Mexico and right on Pearl. From Colorado Blvd, go
south from I-25 and take Evans (it's the first light) going west, and turn north
on Pearl. </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=857185804-05102002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=857185804-05102002>We've had some great
developments with some of our volunteer opportunities and I'll spend the first
part of the meeting explaining new and ongoing opportunities. Here's a
quick overview of what we've got upcoming and ongoing, and will cover it in
detail in the last 20 minutes of Monday's meeting:</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<UL>
<LI><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=857185804-05102002></SPAN></FONT><FONT
face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=857185804-05102002>A web-enabled MS Access
Database for a national railroad safety organization</SPAN></FONT>
<LI><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=857185804-05102002><SPAN
class=857185804-05102002><SPAN class=857185804-05102002>A
web-enabled </SPAN>MS Access Database for a bicycle club that raises
funds in Evergreen</SPAN></SPAN></FONT>
<LI><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=857185804-05102002><SPAN
class=857185804-05102002>A network project for a family support
organization for children with cancer</SPAN></SPAN></FONT>
<LI><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=857185804-05102002><SPAN
class=857185804-05102002>A "parts to 'puters" day project for a national
children's organization</SPAN></SPAN></FONT>
<LI><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=857185804-05102002><SPAN
class=857185804-05102002></SPAN></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=857185804-05102002><SPAN class=857185804-05102002>several others too
early to discuss yet.....</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></LI></UL>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=857185804-05102002><SPAN
class=857185804-05102002>I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce a new
program to IT Samaritans. For the next several meetings I will be bringing
in guest speaker who have some kind of inside connection in the IT Industry
(meaning they have jobs) and who are willing to give you their insight into what
you can do to improve your chances of success in the job searching
process. No, don't worry, there's no charge other than you supporting
Stella's by buying their coffee! We'll be giving these special guests the
first 45 minutes of our meeting, and I'll be using the remaining 15-20 minutes
to cover our normal activities. </SPAN></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=857185804-05102002><SPAN
class=857185804-05102002></SPAN></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=857185804-05102002>Alright, one set of
rules for these events! Don't bring your resume; we don't want to see
it. We want you to focus on listening to what these people (who are
in positions to know) are going to tell you. They do see a lot of the
do's and don'ts and will tell you straight up that the beard has got to be
trimmed, or that the skirt has got to be longer for you to get the job!
</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=857185804-05102002>Over the
next few weeks, there's a chance I'll arrange for some meetings outside our
normal 1st and 3rd Monday of the month, if these people need to be accommodated,
but will not do so if we can't have a full week's notice to <A
href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/itsamaritans">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/itsamaritans</A></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=857185804-05102002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=857185804-05102002>In other IT
Samaritans News, we've recently had an attempt to start a subgroup within our
organization dedicated to Opensource issues. We had an introductory
meeting that; well, should not have been held until a tighter charter and
direction developed. I take full responsibility for not requiring that
prior to the meeting, but would still encourage those who are interested in
putting their OpenSource skills to work to contact me.
</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=857185804-05102002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=857185804-05102002>I and all of us at
IT Samaritans fully support the idea that OpenSource tools, products, and
resources have a great value to the non-profit community we support.
However, what can you offer as part of a standardized services
suite? Are there any Product Managers out
there with requisite skills and experience to work with this
enthusiastic group of engineers to define an OpenSource offering?
This really could be a great opportunity for someone who's been laid off to
showcase their talents to potential employers, and to do right by the
community! To do this properly in a disciplined fashion, we really need
someone from a software Product Management background to help organize and
drive this effort with a coherent, cohesive mission statement and an execution
plan. If there's anyone out there, please send your briefest resume,
and I'll for an executive committee to interview those interested! This
really is a great opportunity to showcase your skills and bring a new product
set to life for the good of our community!</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=857185804-05102002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=857185804-05102002></SPAN><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=857185804-05102002>As always, we're looking for more IT volunteering
opportunities in the community. If anyone knows of any, please direct them
to me via this email address. We've gotten good traction so far, but there
are a lot of volunteer IT opportunities that don't know about us yet.
Please do pass this email on to any IRS501(c) 3 Non-profit organization who
may need our VOLUNTEER help. As always, there are limits to what we can
do, so our needs assessments will help define your project risks and let you
know if we're able to take it on for you!</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=857185804-05102002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Michael J. Mikelson</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=857185804-05102002>Founder,
IT Samaritans</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Denver CO</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><A
href="mailto:MJMikelson@yahoo.com">MJMikelson@yahoo.com</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>303-388-8555</FONT></DIV>
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