New Outlook Teen Center in Exeter

[Michael Fisher]

I'm the new volunteer computer service company for a group in Exeter called the New Outlook Teen Center:
http://www.newoutlookteencenter.org/

Last week I decided to become a permanent volunteer for this organization's computer needs and helped out for a few hours with some data recovery, a dead PC, and a locked-out PC.

Tomorrow, I'll be meeting with the staff to discuss a long-term project of creating a database for their future needs - I believe they need to track various bits of visitor information in order to satisfy their wealthy donors and others.

Does anyone have experience setting up a simple implementation of a database with report capabilities?  I've been doing this for years with MySQL, PostgreSQL, Informix, Access, and SQL Server, but perhaps someone knows of a very simple data gathering and reporting system that we could implement.  A free system is preferable.

Hmmm... local youth groups like this provide significant socialization opportunities to homeschooled children, but I'm not sure the homeschooling community has taken advantage of it at all.  I'll have to see if I can get them involved as well.

This is a very worthy cause that many Exeter-area businesses have supported.  This group teaches children responsibility and the value of community volunteerism.    This is a very advanced version of Newmarket's Club Chameleon and I'm thankful to be a part of it!  Does anyone want to join me in helping them? 

[AlanM]

Mike,
Doesn't New Outlook get money from the Town through forced taxation? I could be wrong, however. If they receive no funds from Gov, then I might be interested.
Alan

[Michael Fisher]

Yes, they do accept tax dollars.  But, to the extent that they steal money through the government, they are equally miserable because of the government's bureacratic requirements.  I've tried talking them out of it on this basis and they seem quite receptive to the idea.

Eventually, gentle persuasion may be all that is necessary for them to reject government funds.  Such is the case with many causes I support.

Every time an organization complains about the annoyance of getting money or support from the government, that's another chance for me to persuade them to stop trying to do so, and to instead focus on volunteers, in-kind donations, wealthy donors, private trusts, and other sources of support.

If you are an integral part of an organization, then when the decisions are made, your opinion carries a lot of weight.    This strategy has worked for me - several times I've convinced organizations not to seek government funds with a single well-timed statement. 

[AlanM]

Well Mike, I won't help any organization that steals my money.

[Michael Fisher]

That is completely understandable.

But we need to get together ASAP and work on the separation of school and state! 

[tracysaboe]

That is completely understandable.

But we need to get together ASAP and work on the separation of school and state! 

Agreed.

Tracy

[joeyforpresident]

I'd like to hopefully have a computer genius help me avoid taking a baseball bat to my PCs.

I don't know if it's the porn I've downloaded or what, but my newest machine had XP installed on it (it's a computer I bought from my publisher) and it just froze up ...and the POS will not even recognize XP now.

Grrrr. At this point in time, losing my computer is not necessary!!! It had  vital information -- excluding the photography.

[joeyforpresident]

How far is Exit-her from Keene/Cheshire County?

I have a NH map that I've been studying...so I'm trying to pinpoint all the towns and such.

Is there an age limit to this outreach center? Because ya know me, I love volunteering when there are girls involved

[Kat Kanning]

1.5+ hours to the west.

[Lloyd Danforth]

1.5+ hours to the west.

Exeter, New York, maybe!