SeniorNet Eastern Bays Inc., Auckland is a voluntary organisation for people over 55 with active minds and who want to keep up with the computer age. Complete novices through to more advanced users are welcome while new topics are constantly being added. We always like to hear from members as to what they would like to have taught. Experienced users are welcome as tutors and every one is encouraged to help with the running of the club.
For detailed information about us please call the SeniorNet Eastern Bays voice mail, (09) 578 0994. An information pack is available. This is the main route of communication to the club. Be sure to leave your name phone number and contact address especially if you want an information pack mailed to you. Someone will call you back, and you can proceed from there. We would love to hear from you. more
You can have now your say on our own Forum/Bulletin Board/Discussion Group! Click here for more.
Despite the chilly temperature, the all-important AGM attracted a capacity turnout. Eddie Hagen presented his long heralded Chairman's Report (downloadable link below) and this was accepted. Rick Scott then presented his Financial Report in which he noted that, while we have good reserves at the moment, the rental was high and could rise further, while traditional grants from the Council, ASB and the Government were likely to decline substantially in the light of the global recession.
Elections for the coming year proceeded but the meeting first gave a warm vote of thanks to Doreen Kee who has served on the Committee, as Course Manager and as first person of contact for new members since 2001. The new committee is: Cedric Hoskins, Margaret Bates, Noel Thompson, Daphne Wood, Noel Bierre, Don and Janet Shaw and Stan Cauldwell. Noel Bierre has served on the Committee before and is already investigating alternative premises, while the husband and wife team of Don and Janet are comparatively new members.
Jay Venables and Rick Scott were re-elected as Secretary and Treasurer respectively, while foundation member Bill Varcoe was re-appointed as Auditor.
Eddie, who signaled well in advance that this would be his last year as Chairperson, then called for nominations for that position. He has even produced a detailed manual but advised not taking on as many things over and above the core duties as he had. No nominations were forthcoming but, constitutionally, the new Committee may appoint a Chairperson, either from its own ranks or from the wider membership.
Doug Bates then presented his and the special sub-committee's key remit (detailed on the SNEB News page). He noted that the large attendance was an encouraging sign in itself and this, coupled with a possible shift in our focus from tutoring beginners to holding discussion groups and seminars in less expensive and more congenial places than our current clubrooms, could lead to a turnaround. Other cost-saving measures could include the emailing of newsletters to all but email novices. Longtime tutor Hugh Spencer broadly concurred but expressed a willingness on his part to continue teaching beginners if the demand continued. The remit was passed.
At the end of this historic meeting, Rick Scott offered Eddie a small gift and moved a vote of thanks for all his hard work and dedication in the last three years. This was carried by acclamation and, with SeniorNet Eastern Bays still very much alive and bouncing back, members emerged into a sunny and warmer day.
Chairman's Annual Report: click here to download a Word copy.
On Monday afternoon, John Richards and Wayne Power host the July Q&A forum (see below). On Wednesday afternoon, Graham Wright continues his Files Management course for Windows XP and Vista. After that the new Committee holds its first formal meeting.
The following week sees the July Monthly meeting and new Internet and continuing Files Management courses. More later.
The most popular meeting in which the hosts accept and we all discuss any and all questions about computers, ranging from how you turn them on to the more fancy stuff (like how to turn them off!).
If you do have a question, you should first check out our General Tips page. This contains the questions typically asked at these forums, answered by our own tutors. In the same vein there are also the Technical Tips and the Useful Links. Note, also, that each program has its own Help menu (usually the rightmost drop-down menu). Another trick is to right click (versus the more usual left click of your mouse), which brings up a list of things you can do at that particular point in the program (the Context Menu).
My own favourite is just to Google it - put all the key words of your query into the Google search box and see what you get. That might even mean entering the exact make and model number of your digital camera or perhaps the error number a program or your browser might be displaying. What we really hope to teach you is how to go about finding out your own answers.
Anyway, see you all on Monday! Eddie is on a well deserved break so "The Two Ronnies" - John and Wayne will be in charge. Bring your questions and your sense of humour!
** Note that Q&A now starts at 2 pm (not 1:30pm), and ends at 4pm **
Keep monitoring the Calendar and Courses pages, constantly updated by Sue LaRoche, for the latest. Once you have decided on your courses or want to discuss them further, just call our number (ph5780994) and leave a message for Cedric. Happy learning and don't forget that you can also be an assistant or a tutor in subjects you are experienced in. Tutors are the mainstays of SeniorNet!
Enter several competitions, including a free magazine by clicking here.
There are steadily more special offers available to all SeniorNet Federation Learning Centres (SeniorNets) and their members (meaning us!). Click here to see the ever growing list. There are significant savings!
The main menu on the left is longer but now links directly to all 21 regular pages, including those formerly found under the "Useful Links" button. The Archives page remains last but effectively accesses many more pages.
