UG Academy Grant Program $25,000 Grants Program Aims to Help Local Public Schools . .

. Download the Grants Program and Application info. . . Grants.pdf (Adobe Acrobat), or Grants.sit (Aladdin Stuffit) DEADLINE EXTENDED TO NOVEMBER 12, 1999 The Press Release: The User Group Academy is pairing computer clubs with public, K-12 schools in partnerships to develop greater benefits from computers and technology. The nonprofit User Group Academy is pairing computer clubs with public K-12 schools to help teachers get more out of their computers and technology. July 21, 1999 (Harrisonburg, VA) "Helping our teachers teach" is the mission of a new grant program launched by The User Group Academy. In January, 2000, The User Group Academy will present $25,000 in grants to computer user groups submitting the best ideas for projects that help their local public schools using computer technology. The UG Academy Grants Program was launched at the Macworld Expo in New York this July, and is accepting proposals from nonprofit computer clubs (user groups) until November 12, 1999. The grant instrument calls for groups to author and implement technology-oriented programs in partnership with a local public K-12 school. "Having computers in schools is not so much the issue these days," says Fred Showker, executive awards coordinator for the Academy, "It's what the teachers do with computers, and how well they do it that ultimately makes the difference. User groups know how to use computers to get the most productivity with the least expense. This kind of expertise will really help the schools get the most out of their computers." The winning proposal will be awarded a $5,000 grant, and ten runner-ups will each receive a $2,000 grant. The only stipulation on the money is that the group must partner with a local public school. "The emphasis is on the teacher, not the classroom," says Showker. "If we can help teachers exploit technology, that will help more students from year to year." The Academy is suggesting projects like database mentoring, hardware and software optimizing projects, and productivity enhancements. All project proposals will be published at the Academy Web site, in hopes that they inspire more groups to enter. The Academy also hopes to attract computer companies to become involved and increase the amount of money available for grants. The Academy is also challenging the computer industry to help. "We've opened the door," Showker addresses the industry. "It would be super to see some of the big industry players bring their considerable resources to these grants. The more projects we get going, the more schools we'll help and the better it will be for all the communities touched by the program." The User Group Academy will act as conduit to administrate and promote the grants through a community of nearly 4,000 local computer clubs representing more than a million members in the United States. Groups or schools wishing to enter the program, as well as companies wishing to become part of this initiative, should contact the Academy directly through the User Group Academy Web site: http://www.ugacademy.org/ or by sending email to Awards@UGAcademy.org . Groups may download a complete, detailed overview draft of the program in native Adobe Acrobat PDF form (38K), or as an Aladdin Stuffit Archive About The UG Academy The User Group Academy was founded in 1995 as a nonprofit educational organization to provide information and help for computer clubs. The Academy's primary focus has been The UG Academy Awards, which have become the leading creative honors program for nonprofit computer clubs and user groups. The ideals of a User Group awards and grants program began in 1990 as the "The Johnny Appleseed Awards" and was renovated in 1995 as the UG Academy Awards. Nominees and winners are chosen by The User Group Academy and the User Group community at large to recognize excellence in community service by local computer clubs. The program is hosted and sponsored in part by The User Group Network (UGNN), DT&G Magazine, and The Design & Publishing Center. Contact: Fred Showker, Executive Awards Coordinator -- Showker@UGAcademy.org Dan Sailers, Executive Academy Chairman -- DSailers@UGAcademy.org The User Group Academy c/o The User Group Network 15 Southgate Harrisonburg, VA 22801 http://www.ugAcademy.org/ http://www.user-groups.net/ugacademy/ 540-433-8402 The User Group Network: www.user-groups.net The Design & Publishing Center: www.graphic-design.com