Happy New Year! Now Let's Make Something Happen!

It is great to be in a new year and have things going great! The year started out with my computer being down, which wasn't great, but after fighting (upgrading) with it over the past few weeks, I'm am good-to-go and glad-to-go. And it is better than it was before I foug..., ugh upgraded it.
So it has been a while since my last post, but, trust me, you will be reading a new post each week from now going forward (if not more often). I am working on several projects that will improve the NWAC Intel Computer Clubhouse. Probably the most important project is the Northwest Activities Center website. I know that the NWAC website is going to provide space for the clubhouse to showcase what we do. Our clubhouse will be creating the content for the site, so all teams should prepare to be kept busy, because we want http://www.nwac-detroit.org/ to be one of the best sites on the net. The site is schedule to open on January 16, 2009, so next Monday, prepare to go to work at providing input on how to make it better.

The clubhouse often gets new members, so it is important that I repeat information. I want every member to be responsible and know the rules. It is important that every member:

1. Sign in when you enter the clubhouse
2. Select a computer and do typing practice (Use Quick and Easy Typing)
3. Log the results of your 3 - 5 minute typing test
4. Check your email for information about your Team(s)
5. Send an email to Mrs. Blue (mrs.blue1@gmail.com) telling me about your team and project you are working on
6. Select and do one (or more) project(s):
   

Remember, sometimes I will require you to do a specific project, but most of the time you will be able do the projects you choose. When picking a project, think about MULTIMEDIA

• Text: Do you want to write?
• Graphics: Do you want to draw or take pictures?
• Audio: Do you want to record sound?
• Video: Do you want to make a movie?
• Animation: Do you want to make a game?

Robotics can also be built - try using the legos to build something and make it move (see Patricia's video). Patricia Smith holds the clubhouse record for building the most Lego robots. She made a video using Microsoft Movie Maker of herself demonstrating how several of her robots worked.

Multimedia overlaps, so you may write a story that includes pictures (text and graphics) or you might create a Talking Book Using PowerPoint (text, graphics and audio, - and possibly even video and animation). Use your creative juices. We have a lot to cover this year. You must have a 3-ring binder. You should get your parent to buy you a clear-view 3-ring binder. We will create your cover for it. If you are able to also get some sheet-protectors and a set of 5 tabs, these will help you organize your printouts . You can get all of these items from the dollar store or any office supply store. If you have trouble getting any of these items, see Mrs. Blue.

You have the opportunity to sign up to participate with several teams:

1. Arts and Crafts - help to create frames for members' artwork; create sales items for clubhouse fundraising
2. Photography - Take pictures in the clubhouse and around the NWAC. Remember, your pictures may be used on the clubhouse website or in the clubhouse magazine or framed for our fundraising.
3. Videography -Record video programming for clubhouse viewing and website; you will be responsible for taking care of the clubhouse video cameras
4. News Team - Every Week the Northwest AC News is video recorded

If you have not signed up for a team, please see Mrs. Blue. It is possible to sign up for more than one team. Teams usually have only four members, but there are more than one of the same team. For example: a Photography Team may take pictures in the NWAC Health Club and another Photography Team may take pictures at an event hosted by NWAC, perhaps in the DeRoy/Young Ballroom or in the Paul Robeson Theatre.

There are several goals we want to achieve before June 1st:

• We want to have a link off of the NWAC website at http://www.nwac-detroit.org/
• We want to have our magazine CompClub Detroit available each month at issuu.com
• We want to have an Arts and Crafts fundraiser sale on May 2, 2009

I know that I have a lot of smart, creative and energetic members, so we will achieve these goals. Let's Make Our Goals Happen!