The RTV program was created to bring adults age 50 and older with technology skills, together with nonprofit organizations that can benefit from their IT expertise. The goal of the program is to recruit volunteers aged 50+ who can give the gifts of their time and their talent to expand the capabilities of nonprofit organizations through the use of technology. SeniorNet has registered over 300 RTVs and hopes to register 10 times that number in 2006.
"Research demonstrates that nonprofit organizations often lack the technical expertise and staff resources to meet their goals," said Kristin Fabos, Executive Director of SeniorNet. "Today's over-50 generation is becoming increasingly tech-savvy -- the RTV program encourages retirees to apply their high-tech skills in a nonprofit organization they care about, thereby filling a significant need in the community."
John Grimaldi, a registered 'RTV' who volunteers with the police department in Burnsville, MN says: "Since retiring from my career in high-tech imaging, I've working as a volunteer to build a pre-emergency planning database. I collect critical data (aerial photographs, detailed descriptions, contact info) about key city locations such as schools and industrial plants. Then I upload it all to a private website where Burnsville police and fire department personnel can access it in an emergency, such as a chemical spill, hostage situation, or terrorist attack. That way they don't have to scramble to find out the number of floors in a building, or find out too late that a company has two large propane tanks in its warehouse."
For retirees who have significant technology experience and are interested in becoming RTVs but are not sure they have the skills to expand the technology capabilities of a nonprofit organization, SeniorNet provides free, downloadable training resources on its website. These "Quick-Start" training guides cover topics such as creating a website, desktop publishing with templates, finding funding sources, PowerPoint templates, and how to inventory, document and upgrade computer systems.
The "Quick Start" training guides and step-by-step courses designed to help adults 50+ learn skills for their volunteer work are also offered at select SeniorNet Computer Learning Centers throughout the United States.
