Sharing Talent, Technology, Time

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.

Thank you to all that have participated in Sun's disaster relief drive.  Over $61,000 has been raised to help Myanmar and China. And this does not include the match from Sun, which has the potential to double this amount. Outreach like this is at the heart and soul of Sun.  The people at this company make me proud.

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.

It's not everyday that Sun volunteers make an appearance on TV.  But yesterday was a day for them to shine!  Volunteer Barbara Moran spearheaded the effort to get employees to Eldora Mountain to showcase the Eldora Special Recreation Program.  This program works with special needs people to give them the ability to participate in snow sports.  Al Roker gave away oodles to the program to help them continue to meet this community need.  You can also check out the video.

Amazed might not be the right word.  Humbled?  Awestruck?  Sun volunteers continue to amaze and humble me.  Team Managers around the world are leading volunteer projects, giving back to the local community and engaging Sun volunteers:

Scott in the California Bay Area is leading a team at the Humane Society on April 29.  Sprucing up the facility for all the homeless pets that need adopting.

In New Jersey, Diane is leading volunteers for a mentoring program.  Mentors will work with girls between the ages of 12 and 18.

In New York City, volunteers, including myself, will help at Baby Buggy, an organization that provides baby supplies for low income families.

 

And there's more.  In a couple of weeks, we will share pictures from all of these great projects.  Then you will get to see the impact that Worldwide Volunteer Week has on so many people around the globe.

Boston Area Sun Women supported Women's History month with a toiletry drive.  Over 1000 donated items went to Bridges, a nonprofit organization supporting victims of domestic and sexual violence.  Kudos to all participants.  Read more here.

Sun is on fire!  We have so many great projects taking place during Worldwide Volunteer Week. (Did I mention it is April 26-May 4?)  We are still a few weeks away but we have at least 60 volunteer projects listed in our internal volunteer tool.  (Did I mention sixty?!)  Here's a sampling of projects that could use more volunteers:

 In the Bay Area, volunteers will be helping a bike race on May 3.

On April 30, volunteers from MA will be doing a spring clean up for a local school.

Virtually, Sun employees will meet on April 30 to discuss creating a chess program for kids.

Don't you get those warm fuzzy feelings?

How cool is it that Sun volunteers all over the world will be volunteering during Worldwide Volunteer Week?  

The latest project idea for a team of Sun volunteers located anywhere, is to collaborate with a local school to teach kids about different careers, interviewing, filming, and editing.  This is a cool project in which kids and volunteers work hand in hand.  Interested?  Contact Julie.Smith@sun.com for more info on CareerBytes.

We have an intern position open in our group:

Req #: 559064
Functional Area(s): Global Citizenship Communications and Outreach
Division: Sun Microsystems, Inc. Brand, Global Citizenship
Location: US—Near or around Menlo Park, CA
Job Role: Intern
Preferred Experience: College or Graduate Student

Brief Description: This individual is responsible for marketing Sun's Global Volunteer Program to the internal Sun community, as well as communicating volunteer accomplishments externally through blogs, Facebook, and other social media. Strong organizational, writing, and marketing skills are critical for this role.

Internship begins Spring 2008 and will last into Summer 2008.

Please submit your resume via the path outlined in the Req# link above if you are interested in being considered for the position we have open.