Sharing Talent, Technology, Time

On sunny, cold, windy Saturday in March of this year, my kids and I were comfortably settled in our cozy living room. I was on the couch, with my laptop, wirelessly connected to the Internet. My kids were also on the web -- using the family computer in the corner of the room to play in Webkinz World. 

I was catching up on personal email. My friend Maria had sent me a pointer to a video on YouTube, and told me I should check it out.

It was Randy Pausch's Last Lecture.

I saw it on YouTube. (so did more than 7 million other people.) But he was also on Oprah with this; he wrote a book; the whole nine yards.

Randy Pausch touched millions of lives with his lecture on how to achieve your childhood dreams, which was really about how to live your life.

Back to me on my couch on that cold late-winter day... I'm watching Randy Pausch... my kids are playing on the family computer in the corner... they looked over at me.... I'm all teary.... They swarmed over, echoing refrains of "What's wrong, What's wrong?"

Happy tears.

I had just decided -- right then and there. I decided I was going to do something.

In the YouTube version Randy talks about an open source computing platform for teaching children the language of computers called Alice. It's a 3D virtual world, where children learn the fundamentals of object oriented programming -- of Java -- in activity that feels more like play than learning.

Prior to that cold, sunny day, I had never heard of Alice. But after watching the lecture, I saw this enormous opportunity here -- at so many levels. And I figured if I hustle, hustled, maybe I could get something going around it.

To make a very long story short, I'm about to get started.

Starting next month, I will be teaching a group of girls at my local high school the language of computers using the Alice, as my volunteer activity. It will be an after-school club that will meet every other week. We're going to learn Java.

And it's going to be rockin' fun.

(Appropriately) My local high school rocks.

There are dozens of languages spoken there. The vast majority of students come from from working class families whose parent(s) have little or no formal education. 52% of the students get free or reduced lunch, an indicator of income level.

The kids that go to this school don't have their paths in life paved for them, but it is by no means a bleak situation. Excellence defines the teachers and administrators, and is fostered and nurtured in the student body. It's ranked in the top 500 of Newsweek's list of 1,300 Best Public High Schools. 

I graduated from this school more than 20 years ago.

So, as you can imagine, I was so pleased when I got word that we were a go... when I got word that everything came together and I'd be able to do this. 

So for the past few weeks, I've been getting ready...

As one of the activities Sun had going in support of Software Freedom Day.... 

... I took over a bunch of stuff so that we could get started, and begin the process of getting the computers in the lab we'll use ready.  

So here we are.

Six months ago I watched a video on YouTube. I hustle, hustled. A whole bunch of other people also hustle, hustled. Tons of really great stuff happened, which we'll talk about as we move along, I'm sure. And now I'm embarking on what I hope will be a multi-year journey with a group of girls.

And in this blog, I will chronicle it.   

My computer club classes will start in late October.

I'm now in the process of pulling together my lesson plans for my volunteer project.

Lucky for me, there are many others who've walked this road before me.

My colleague and fellow Sun employee Daniel Green is my hero on his work. He inspires me. Marla Parker is my co-conspiritor. We're trying to follow in Dan's footsteps -- me with Alice; Marla with Greenfoot.

My personal goals on this one are very ambitious. I intend to change the trajectory of the lives of a group of girls, by exposing them to the language of computers and helping them see the opportunity that exists for them in this space; in the industry that's created so many opportunities for me.

That's what this one is all about, you guys.

I'm hanging my hat on the CHANGE (Y)OUR WORLD movement at Sun. It really seems to fit there and support what that's all about.

But this stuff... it's a great source of energy that charges my batteries.

I've got this "secret IM society" going on w/Dan and Marla. We're always online with each other. Talking, collaborating, sharing. 

Sometimes, when we get something good going... like yesterday when we figured out how to get a Sun executive talking to some key educators about some issues that really need to have attention... and then when I think about how ambitious the goal I'm taking on with this group of girls who don't have a lot of people helping to pave their way in life... how the odds are against them... and against my efforts to try to help them... all the odds are against us... when I think of all of that, I'm reminded of the words of Margaret Mead.

She said: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has."

I've taken my first step in this journey of a thousand miles, people.

Seatbelts, everyone!

:-) 

Mary

Eighty high school students and 14 staff members came to the NY Sun office to spend the day.  The students were treated to a full day of learning about Sun, technology and career paths.  Dynamic speakers like Brian Cleary, Fay Salwen and Isaac Rozenfeld dazzled the students.  Those were only some of the super stars that came out to support the event.  The whole NYC office got into the day as the students infiltrated the office.

The students had 9 learning sessions and a working lunch.  They were able to pick their lunchtime session, which included "Confessions of a Former Techie" and "Social Networking."  They interacted with employees in between sessions, learning from their Sun Team Captains who stayed with them the whole day.  The day concluded with a closing session by a former and current intern.  The students had a lot of questions on how to become a Sun intern/employee.  We'll see some of these kids again! ; )

Although all the participants should be recognized, a special thank you should go to Shari Czar, Robin Goldfarb Wilensky, Diane Mathis, and Wayne Abbott. 

(Pictured here are some of the students getting a peek at the servers in the lab.)

The kids had a great day, as did the volunteers!

Check out Gilda Garreton on Headline News on Sun.com.  She talks about her Worldwide Volunteer Week project using Wonderland to link students in California with students in Chile.

http://www.sun.com/home-modules/media/k5_070908.html

For the third year in a row, Sun will be hosting students from the Rutgers University Governor's School of Technology and Engineering Program.  These ambitious students will visit the Sun New York office and spend the day attending short sessions on Sun Technology, Sun Projects, Career Development, and more.  The day will be July 15.

Sun is opening up it's office and sharing the talents of its employees.  If you are a Sun employee in NYC and want to volunteer for the event, drop me a line at Julie.Smith@sun.com.  Volunteers are needed to serve as Team Captains to guide student teams, comprised of approximately 10 students, between the sessions and daily activities. Photographers, videographers and video editors are also needed.

Some people may think that managing Sun's Global Volunteer Program is a cool job.  And you know what, they're right!  Here's just a taste of what I do for work.

Today I have been focusing on two things: all the amazing things that Sun volunteers have done this past year, and how do we make the program even better.  Two completely separate items. 

As the fiscal year ends, it is time to reflect on what Sun employees around the globe have accomplished through volunteering.  There are the wonderful stories of local teams adopting a cause, a school, or a community center like Team Argentina and Team Bangalore, India.  Then there are the individual stories of employees donating countless hours to nonprofits, like Carla Morales in Colorado and Christina Carrier in the Bay Area.  So many people giving back to the local community.  I want to hear about them all!  If you are a Sun employee, drop me a line at Julie.Smith@sun.com

The other aspect of my day has been looking at improving the program as we get ready to start FY2009.  I have been compiling ideas, researching data and talking to folks.  Doing this gets me jazzed.  There is so much to do, so many ideas brewing.  Now's your chance.  Any ideas you want to share? 

This post is different from my typical ones but I just had to share.  I've said it before and will say it again, I'm so proud that Sun values giving back to the community.

Wrap stories about volunteer projects are still trickling in.  Here is one to share from Margie Easter:

On 4/30/08, a team of Sun employees participated in a Worldwide Volunteer Week activity, "Sun Computer Tutors for Senior Citizens." 

The team selected this activity because it was an opportunity to reach out to a community that is rather forgotten, and deeply impacted by the "digital divide."  The agenda for the afternoon included a tour of the Lytton Gardens campus facilities, meeting and tutoring the residents in break-out teams (based upon level of knowledge), and then an ice cream social (turtle sundaes for all - mmmmmm!) 

We were immediately touched by the genuine appreciation that the seniors expressed. Not even half way through the tutorial session, they all asked, "When are you coming back to teach us more?"  Many of them are isolated from their families when it comes to online
communications.  They want to know how to do very simple things that we take for granted, such as receive and send email,  and browse and search the Web.  It's all very new to many of them. But when you think about it, why wouldn't it be? Most are 80+ years old.  The Internet era has practically left them in the dust.  But the good news is that this is such a great time for them to begin using Internet technologies.  It's easier than it's ever been....but we all found that it's still not easy enough.  Even teaching them how to use a mouse, what the cursor is, clicking and double-clicking caused fingers to fumble and eyes to glaze over.  Not to mention that some have physical mobility issues which impact the learning experience and increase frustration levels when trying to use tools such as the laptop keypad mouse.

But we did it! We achieved a good level of success and satisfaction with each person we touched. They just loved it, and so did we.  This was a delightful and gratifying experience that none will forget.  All were in agreement that we will return soon to follow up with more training, which is in the works.  This is a day in my life that I will reflect on and think, "Now that was a great day!"

We get so busy in our everyday lives that we forget about the other great people and activities that are out there, just waiting for someone to care. Something for all of us to think about. 

Asia is getting hit with natural disasters.  First the Myanmar cyclone which is estimated to have affected 1.5 million people.  MILLION.  On Monday, China was hit with a 7.9 magnitude earthquake, killing an estimated 9,000 people.  Eighty percent of the buildings in Beichuan county collapsed.

China and Myanmar need our help.  How do we help?  Financial contributions are the best way.  This insures that the right supplies get to the right places.  And charities that buy these supplies typically get wholesale prices. 

The Sun online drive benefits organizations that help disaster victims, and makes giving so easy.  Try it.

The estimate of the number of casualties from the Myanmar disaster is increasing by the day.  Disease, lack of supplies and food will only compound this number.  Estimates of victims range from 40,000 to over 60,000. 

Unfortunately, there is conflicting news about the relief efforts.  The UN is having difficulty assessing the situation but the International Federation of Red Cross, one of the charities included in our online giving drive, is reportedly on the ground in Myanmar, delivering needed aid.

If you want to help, consider participating in Sun's online disaster relief drive.  Your donation can go to one of a handful of agencies providing relief to the Myanmar disaster.

It's now several days after the devastating cyclone hit Myanmar.  It is estimated that over 22,000 lives have been lost and possibly one million people left homeless.  And these numbers are most likely going to increase in the coming days.  Continued flooding and outbreak of disease will contribute to already incredible suffering.

The Sun community rallies in times of crisis.  This is the reason we have a partnership with the nonprofit organization Aidmatrix.  Through Aidmatrix, Sun has a year-round, online disaster relief drive where employees can easily make financial donations to worthy nonprofit organizations.  Charities working to aid the people of Myanmar have just been added.  This drive is open to everyone, not just Sun employees.  But employees are eligible for matching funds from the Sun Microsystems Foundation.  Just check the box at the check out page of the drive.

Sunday was the Meetup/Mashup event I promoted on this blog about two weeks ago. As you can guess by the title of this entry, it was fantastic. We had 37 participants with strong representation from both the developer and the non-profit communities.

After some networking over lunch, Director of Global Citizenship, Larry Nelson, kicked off the event by welcoming everybody on behalf of Sun. Then Billy Bicket, of our nonprofit partner NetSquared, introduced the planned agenda. This was the second time NetSquared has facilitated an in-person event of this type and Sun's first. Because it's still so new, Billy suggested a format but gave the group option to participate in the design and format of the event. And, with that, in real time, participants both designed and participated in a powerful Meetup/Mashup.

After a round of introductions, developers "speed geeked" (similar to "speed dating") with nonprofit representatives stationed at different tables. These four minute speed geek sessions gave developers an opportunity to identify which projects were most compatible with their skills and interests while providing the nonprofits with an opportunity to hear a variety of perspectives on how to solve their web-based needs. After speed geeking, participants self-organized themselves into groups based on their skills, needs and interests. 

Throughout the event, I noticed CommunityOne developers asking an important and meaningful question; "What can I do to help you?". This question sparked new interactions that resulted in tangible outcomes. Following are snapshots of a few:

• Kevin Braithwaite, Director of a Lebanon based nonprofit called Root Space was able to get help mashing a database of NGO's based in Beirut with Google Maps.
  
• Brian Hamlin and Howard Pearlmutter were able to help one participant, Matt, identify software to help him create a web-app to map the direct impact of rising sea-levels on the Earth's coastal regions.
• Pedro Reyes of the Bay Area organization Streetside Stories was able to get ideas about how to integrate the organization's archive of youth generated content into their web-site.
• Brooke Murray and Dave Caldwell outlined a series of nine steps for the National Center for Lesbian Rights to utilize document management and information organization technologies in their work to efficiently provide legal advice to their clients. 
  
• Joshua Wiese was able to learn about different applications to capture names and emails of individual supporters for project he is working on for Virgin Unite called The Elders Campaign.
  

Throughout the entire event there was an electric sense of stewardship and community. Many of the developers expressed a desire to deepen their involvement with nonprofits and the nonprofits seemed excited to have received expert advice.

And here is what success looks like...

We even had some tech celebrities like Scott Mattoon (pictured above with the red ? t-shirt) Sun's Chief Architect for Western U.S. Sales & Services and also Architecture for Humanity Board Member.

Dave Caldwell thinking through document management and information organization with his group of fellow hackers.
 

Thank you! to NetSquared for collaborating with us. to Julian Edwards of Sun for help organizing this event. to all the developers and nonprofit participants who made this event successful.

We at Sun are well known for our blogging habits. Two volunteers recently shared with me WWVW blog entries that do a fantastic job describing their projects. The first is from a blog kept by Sun Partner Account Manager, Johannes Hogg. You can read about his groups volunteer construction project in Hamburg , Germany here.

Another participant in last Saturday's "Clean and Green" project in Bangalore, India blogged about his experience here. The really cool thing about this blog's author, Tarle-Nagendra HK, is that he is an ex-Sun employee who brought his entire family back to engage with Sun employees for this environmentally themed project.

These are just two of many great WWVW projects happening across the globe!

World Wide Volunteer Week started last Saturday, April 26 and we are already getting reports and pictures from the field. Stella Chan shared these fantastic photos of Sun employees working with children in Guangzhou, China. These employees donated time to play with orphaned and disabled children at the Guangzhou Social Welfare House. During the visit, these generous employees also donated food, stationary and toys to this program.

Stay tuned for more stories and pictures from the field....

Help nonprofits harness the power of the web.

We are doing a really cool thing on May 4th in conjunction with CommunityOne.   We are inviting attendees from CommunityOne & JavaOne, plus student developers, to participate in a Meetup/Mashup to support nonprofits.    Working with the San Francisco based nonprofit, NetSquared, Sun Microsystems, Inc. is leveraging a diverse and talented community of technology experts to help organizations with the technology challenges they face.

The event is happening on May 4 from noon – 5pm at the Moscone Center in San Francisco

Meetup/Mashup provides you an opportunity to direct your talent and programming skills to nonprofits focused on making positive social change, to see how others are using to technology to enact positive social change, and an opportunity meet some passionate people working to make the communities where we live and work a better place.

Participating nonprofits will have a variety of technology needs, including:

Refining some of their ideas about how the data they are using could be rendered in mashups; and
Building mashups using a variety of APIs, products, or coming up with creative technical solutions to particular problems they are facing.

Signup to Participate!

If you are a student developer or an attendee of CommunityOne and/or JavaOne and you want to help make a difference by attending this event, please email: meetup.mashup@sun.com with your:

Name:

• Technology expertise:

• Employer/Nonprofit or/School 

• Interests (for developers: Cause that you are passionate about; for non profits: technology challenge(s) you hope to address)

• Developers, please indicate if you are interested in being a discussion leader at the event

Confirmation of participation as well as logistics will be sent out by Tuesday, April 29.

Space is limited: so please sign up today!

This event is organized by NetSquared and Sun Microsystems.

Help us spread the word about this fantastic event by sharing the following link with your nonprofit and developer communities: http://developers.sun.com/events/communityone/meetup_mashup.jsp