2010 Committees


STEM Committee - The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) committee will work on Local Workforce Enhancement, Job Shadow, 2010 Student Scholarship, and Educator of the Year Award. 

Programs Committee - The Programs Committee will work on community bridge builings and membership value. This will include breakfast series, after hours mixers, and much more.

Communications Committee - Branding and marketing will be the focus for this group.  They will also handle website changes.

CIT Innovation Index - This committee will work to meet the goals of CIT to further the index in 2010.



2009 Committees


Education Committee – Local Workforce Enhancement

In the fall of 2008 FredTech held a joint meeting with several of the area’s Economic Development Directors.  The purpose of the meeting was to determine what role FredTech could play to better assist in drawing more high-tech employers to the area.  According to a majority of the directors, the lack of technical expertise among the local workforce is a major challenge in drawing prospective technology firms to the region.

The purpose of the Education Committee is to formulate programs and initiatives that will serve to improve the technical capabilities of the local workforce in the long term.  Ideally, these programs will be formalized to a point that they can be easily replicated from year to year going forward.

Job Shadowing Program – FredTech is currently working with the Spotsylvania Career andTechnical Center to support their existing Job Shadow Day on Feb 2, 2009.  To date, FredTech has found shadowing hosts for 10 students.  Currently the CTC holds this event once each year in the Spring.  It would be ideal if the program could be expanded to two events (fall and spring) that could lead to possible summer internships for participating students and hosts. 

Educator Award, Student Award, and FredTech Scholarship – At the Annual Meeting, FredTech would like to present these cash awards and a possible scholarship to deserving candidates.  It is hoped that these awards would encourage a focus on the application of technology in the classroom as well as bring some added visibility to FredTech itself.  Need to formalize a basis for the awards, nomination and selection process, as well as find possible monetary sponsors and develop a means for promoting the awards in the school systems.

First Robotics – First Robotics is an existing nationwide competition for students that emphasize the use of technology and science (www.usfirst.org).  A handful of area schools currently have teams participating in the competition that are in need of both sponsors and mentors.

Summer Internship Program – Need to coordinate with local educational institutions to see how FredTech could help to enhance existing internship placement programs. 

Field Trip Opportunities – FredTech might sponsor or manage an annual field trip (or field trip series) between high-tech firms and one “partner” school.  Groups like Dahlgren, AOL, etc. have field trip programs in place that would just need FredTech to serve in an administrative capacity. 

IGNITE (Inspiring Girls Now in Technology Evolution; www.ignite-us.org) – I believe a chapter for this program is being started at the Stafford Academy for Technology; there may be an opportunity for FredTech to assist

Partners in Education - Relationship building with Spotsylvania Career and Tech Center, Stafford Academy for Technology, UMW, Germanna, and others.  (Might include tours of their facilities by the Board, etc.)

VTA K-12 STEM Program – Coordinate with the Virginia Technology Alliance regarding several education initiatives they are backing: FIRST Lego League, Vex Robotics, FIRST Robotics, Future Focus Career EXPO, Team America Rocketry Challenge

Speaker Resource List – Compile list of speakers willing to present to high school classes on area of expertise.

 

Programs Committee – Community Bridge Building

In 2008 FredTech did a commendable job in increasing our visibility in the community and improving relationships with key area leaders.  Most of this success was a direct result of educational and networking events managed by FredTech throughout the year.

The purpose of the Programs Committee is to develop and coordinate events that will increase community awareness of both the local technology community and FredTech.

Breakfast Seminar Series – FredTech coordinated eight morning educational seminars during 2008.  These events typically consisted of a presentation on a new or interesting technology and averaged 25-35 attendees.  Ideally FredTech would host eight such events in 2009.

After-hours Networking Events – In 2008 FredTech headed up two joint networking events with the other Chamber Councils.  Both evening events were casual in nature with finger foods and drinks provided.  The outdoor summer event drew approximately 80 attendees, while the winter holiday one had well over 100 in attendance.

CIO Luncheon Series – This quarterly series was started late in 2008 with the intent of providing an informal luncheon venue for area IT executives to meet and discuss common issues.  This series is hosted and run by the Past-Chair.  Some of the region’s larger employers were represented and the feedback was very positive.

Evening Educational Series – Need to determine the feasibility of coordinating a quarterly evening seminar series.  Such an event would allow FredTech to reach out to those members of the community that are not available to attend the morning programs (DC commuters for example).  This could possibly be done in conjunction with UMW or Germanna, who might want to also appeal to that same demographic.  Their staffs might be able to provide the topic content/expertise while FredTech provides the sponsorship and promotion. 

 

Communications Committee – Branding and Marketing

Marketing FredTech to the community is an important necessity in attracting potential sponsors and partners.  It is also equally vital that the FredTech membership itself remains informed of the organization’s activities and are aware of opportunities to participate.

The purpose of the Communications Committee is to promote the FredTech brand and communicate the FredTech mission effectively.

FredTech Wire –Many thanks to Eddie Graves for launching the FredTech Wire electronic newsletter in 2008.  This is an excellent method for keeping in touch with the membership and the community on a regular basis. 

FredTech Website – The FredTech website is currently managed by the Chamber of Commerce (many, many thanks to Mary for keeping up with the content).  Ideally the site would be evaluated to see if it could be made more functional.  Some wish list items include: collaboration tools for the committees, a Contacts database, an integrated tool for FredTech Wire, searchable directory for members, etc.  (e.g. www.hrtc.org which uses the engine by www.tendenci.com)

FredTech Ambassadors – The Chamber of Commerce hosts reoccurring monthly networking events like the Roundtables that would provide a good opportunity for FredTech to promote itself to area businesses.  At the same time FredTech has had difficulty in the past in appealing to the small business segment of our own membership.  Sponsoring these small business members to attend the networking events as a “FredTech Ambassador” might be a way to involve the membership while marketing FredTech at the same time.

Membership Outreach – Need to look for additional methods to improve membership involvement.

 

Finance Committee - Budgeting

The purpose of the Finance Committee is to provide basic budgeting and accounting support to the Council.  The Chair, Past Chair, Chair Elect, and the Executive Director will serve as ex officio members of the committee.  One additional member of the Board will also be included to serve as the Committee Chair.