The annual Utah Tech Corp Board of Directors met today. It is our annual face-to-face meeting. Utah Tech Corp is part of a national organization that encourages technically savvy volunteers to work with schools. This benefits both the schools and the volunteers who have the opportunity to serve.

Over the past year Utah Tech Corp has concentrated on refurbishing donated computers and peripherals. Most of these surplus PCs were donated my Intel Corporations. In all volunteers gave more than 200 hours of service.

This is the second time I've served on a board. I'm learning a few things. One lesson is just how difficult it is to be responsible to guide an organization with limited time together every year. Expecting leadership in such small doses borders on being absurd.

Another lesson is just how to make use of this limited time. I am beginning to understand the role of a board of directors. With this short time there is also a limited amount that can be done. That seems to be the key. Getting directly to the heart of the matter. I thought of three questions during the meeting. these were:

1. What are the opportunities with the national organization?

2. What are the opportunities within the State of Utah?

3. Could Utah Tech Corp benefit by working with the Cyber Corp initiative that has been developed by USOE?

These questions and the following group discussion lead me to the following conclusions. Here are the priorities, as I see them, for Utah Tech Corp.

1. Funding.

Without additional money Utah Tech Corp will not be around two years from now.

2. Manage the Volunteer program.

Volunteers are the heart of the program. Arranging for greater participation should be a top priority.

3. Program development.

Utah Tech Corp must be more than an equipment refurbishing entity. Part of the original intent of UTC was to find experts who would be willing to give of their time and talents to benefit local schools. I haven't seen that happen. This should be emphasized.

4. Staffing.

Should this be prioritized higher. Perhaps. But without funding, volunteers and good programs the staffing issue is unimportant. Sure, the staff will ultimately make it happen. I don't believe that anyone would be willing to give additional funding without a well defined direction. Volunteers and Programs are the keys........
7:14:32 AM    comment []