CHI*ATLANTA : EVENTS : 2002: Technology Service Day, March 23

CHI-Atlanta (CHI-A) sponsored a volunteer project team for Technology Service Day on Saturday March 23, 2002. Eight CHI-A volunteers staffed the computer lab at the central branch of the Atlanta Fulton County Public Library and worked one-on-one with library patrons to teach basic computer skills and concepts about the Internet.

CHI-Atlanta's Outreach Chair, Tim King, who organized and served as the project coordinator for the team, stated that the most frequent tasks that the CHI-A volunteers undertook during the event were helping users set up and maintain e-mail accounts, create resumes and look for job openings. According to King, most of the patrons assisted were adults, and many were from the local homeless community. "One of the stated goals of Technology Service Day" said King "is to bridge the digital divide, and as professionals in the field of human computer interaction, our members are well-suited to observe and respond to user needs. Volunteering in events like this helps us in our day-to-day roles as software designers by putting us in touch with the needs of those who would otherwise be marginalized and under-represented in the user community at large."

Technology Service Day is an semi-annual volunteer event, organized by Hands on Atlanta - a local "non-profit organization that helps individuals, families and corporate and community groups find flexible volunteer opportunities at more than 400 service organizations and schools."¹

References:
(1) Hands on Atlanta web site

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