Geeks on Ice 2008: Registration is now open!

Registration is now open for the 5th annual Geeks on Ice gentlemen’s hockey tournament! Since 2003, individuals and organizations across Atlantic Canada that share a passion for information technology, their community and hockey have participated in this family oriented event. This event, in partnership with the United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern NB Region, raises funds for IT investments for Community non-profit agencies.

To date Geeks On Ice has invested over $15,000 back into the community to help agencies better serve the youth and families of Southeastern NB. “Being a non-profit organization, it is very difficult to acquire and maintain reliable computer equipment capable of handling the operations of our Club.” explains Andrew LeBlanc Program Coordinator for the Riverview Boys and Girls Club, ”The equipment and technical support from Geeks On Ice has allowed us to better track the programs and opportunities for the youth we serve. Our focus can remain on the Youth and the Club instead of hours wasted trying to send an email, access a program or design a simple graphic. We also upgraded the computers in our Drop in Centre’s Homework Computer room; connected to the internet, we are now able to give our kids supervised internet access.”

Geeks on Ice will run from April 17th-20th at the Greater Moncton 4 Ice Centre. Deadline for registration is February 29th and the first 16 teams registered will play in the event, so register early!

To register and for more information on the tournament and the IT fundraiser go to www.GeeksonIce.com or email geeksonice@gmail.com.


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Media Contact:
Geeks on Ice: Trevor MacAusland 872-2348
United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern NB: Micha Fardy 858-8600

Geeks on Ice Cybersocial Summary

Geeks on Ice readies the community to face-off against the digital divide

Last night I had the privilege to share a sneak peek of the new Geeks on Ice vision at the monthly Cybersocial. We shared the list of symptoms many non-profit agencies in our region face due to the digital divide. For those who are not familiar with the term digital divide, it is best described as the gap between those with physical access to technology hardware and, more broadly, skills and resources which allow for its use and those without this access.

Attendees heard me explain how Geeks on Ice have invested in hardware and software upgrades, however; without the access to professional expertise these agencies struggle to maximize the full extent of the equipment we provide. Digital illiteracy is crippling to organizations that have to correspond, collaborate and request funding through the electronic forum of the participation age.

To respond to an obvious gap to the Geeks on Ice mandate, our vision committee reinvented the mission to purchase computer equipment and software using funds raised through the annual hockey tournament, offer professional expertise to member agencies and promote community collaboration. In short, Geeks on Ice will not stop skating until the digital divide is eliminated!

In order to fill the need for professional expertise, the United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern NB was on hand to collect names of volunteers ready to be Geek Warriors who will serve on the front lines in our battle to defeat the digital divide in our communities. These heroes, individuals and organizations, will provide a few hours of their time to lend their professional expertise to local member agencies.

Participants were also very enthusiastic to hear that Geeks on Ice wants to see the group of volunteers evolve into a formal committee which will work towards the creation of a Geek University where not only the non-profit sector benefits from workshops and mentoring, but where small to medium sized organizations can also participate in the process to help our entire economy overcome the challenges caused by the digital divide.

If you are interested in learning more about the Geek Warriors or Geeks on Ice, please send all inquiries to geeksonice@gmail.com.

Click here to download a copy of our Cybersocial presentation.

Lead The Fight Against Digital Illiteracy

When the province released its much anticipated Non-Profit Task Force report, few who have volunteered for non-profit agencies were surprised by the findings. Access to consistent funding, professional resources and cost overruns have long been issues that have limited the efficiency and productivity of organizations whom provide key services to the community. Services offered by New Brunswick’s non-profit sector are keys to creating an environment of support to our workforce which results in a positive contribution to the province’s economy.

Among one of the key findings in the report was the topic of illiteracy and the challenges this epidemic posses to our economic development. While illiteracy in our province must be addressed in order for this province to reach its goal of self-sufficiency, there is another obstacle that will hinder our role in the global economy if it not addressed. Digital illiteracy is caused by a digital divide between those with physical access to technology hardware and, more broadly, skills and resources which allow for its use and those without this access.

Through a partnership with the United Way of Greater Moncton and Souhteastern NB region, Geeks on Ice has invested in over $15,000 in member agencies in an effort to help close the gap caused by the digital divide in our region. Other organizations, Like the Rogers call center, have donated refurbished computer equipment no longer being used to assist in the fight against a growing divide.

While investment in computer equipment and software has provided agencies a level playing field in relation to technology hardware investment there still remains a knowledge gap for their volunteers, employees and customers to leverage the investment. Digital illiteracy exists among all sectors of our economy and threatens our economic competitiveness on a global stage.

If we confront digital illiteracy, a domino effect will take place in the province that will encourage organizations to embrace the participation age. One digitally literate the community will be able to collaborate with their peers across the globe and reduce operating expenses through the use of open source technologies which enhances our economic competitiveness.

Identification of a digital divide has led Geeks on Ice to challenge the ICT sector to play a front line role in combating this enemy of self-sufficiency. We are asking professionals and organizations who can contribute to the fight to eliminate the digital divide to attend the upcoming Cybersocial this Wednesday evening at City Hall beginning at 5pm. With your knowledge and resources we can bridge the digital divide in our community and set an example for the rest of the world to follow.

Trevor MacAusland

Founder

Geeks on Ice