> > What are your thoughts? > > > > Shawn >
> Here are my comments, for what they are worth: > If you were to get a load of cash, we would have to spend it > (for something worthwhile mindyou). > Here is an idea. Buy computers for people in the community > that can not afford them. Line this up with the mandate the > gov has to educate the general public on computers. If they > owned them, would some people be tempted to sell them for money. > If we could setup a way to do it, I could see loaning the > computers to people indefinitely till they demonstrate they > are making effort to use it. Then turn it over to them. (it > is theirs) Did I mention they will be operating Linux and > have lots of free (Open) usefull software on them. > They will need lessons on how to use the computer, so who > will teach them OpenOffice -- etc. etc? > > One of the main reasons it would be important to spend it to > benefit the poor, is that gambling is attractive to the poor > (want to get rich on the gable) who now have no money for > food for their family, but can now play and work on the > computer we supply. Sorry for playing devil's advocate here, > but I think we should think this through before thinking of > amassing money from a casino or another form of gambling. > > To actually pull this off and get the desired result could > turn out being a mammoth undertaking. > > I also know a good resource person who has much experience in > this with a non profit organization. I can ask if he would be > willing to talk to our board, if they so wish. -- or at a meeting? > > Mel Mel!! You beat me to it but I am happy for the company. As the last executive knows this was an idea that was near to my heart. There are a lot of families out there that don't have access to computers due to the expense of proprietary software. They cannot surf the internet for jobs, do their homework (research, etc), they don't have the ability to create a resume. I would love to see CLUG become involved with an organization like Salvation Army or Women's Shelter or even a seniors organization. I for one would be more than willing to put my time in whatever capacity to assist in this type of program. If CLUG decides to earn money from gambling (I have mixed feelings on this but am not against it) then IMO they should have a stated moral conscience to use a portion of the money to assist the families who may very well be suffering as a result of bingo/casino addition. Jarrod's education idea is also one that I could personally support. The idea of putting money for a bursary every year or every second year to financially assist someone taking courses which are fairly pricey is fabulous. However, you would have to set guidelines to be met, courses that would be approved and a committee to decide these things. All stuff to think about before you enter the arena. As has been mentioned already, we need to remember that all of these things (from getting the money to spending it) take planning and loads of people-time. Just my 2 cents Kari _______________________________________________ clug-talk mailing list [email protected] http://clug.ca/mailman/listinfo/clug-talk_clug.ca Mailing List Guidelines (http://clug.ca/ml_guidelines.php) **Please remove these lines when replying
