For 45 years, the Ozarks has been home to me, and each year I find myself saying, "The weather sure has been strange this year." I guess that's because the weather here is so changeable that there really isn't any such thing as normal. As Ozarkers say, "If you don't like the weather in the Ozarks, just wait a while." That unpredictability holds true for ICON meetings as well. I've seen monthly meetings go by when I predicted a big turnout but only had 45 people show up. In spite of being several officers shy of a full slate at our August meeting, we had over 60 people show up to learn more about The Edge Community Technology Center at Midtown Library and the free classes offered there. Jazy Mihalik, director of The Edge was our guest for this meeting She explained the program's mission in the community and invited all of us to register and attend some of the, free to the public, classes they offer.

ICON's plans for the future include increased community outreach by offering volunteer support services to selected organizations around Springfield, whose programs we believe are worthwhile for the community and in line with our own goals as well. The Edge program meets these criteria very well. Helping them fulfill their mission falls directly in line with our own goals, which makes it an ideal community service project. I was both pleased and proud of the response we received when I encouraged our support of this worthy cause. My sincere praise and thanks go out to those willing to give of themselves for the benefit of others! This is a major source of my pride in being associated with ICON.

We would like to offer volunteer support to another worthy cause or two for the purpose of expanding ICON's community outreach. I am a firm believer that "the more you give, the more you receive." Would some of you who have been helped by ICON membership give back a few hours of your time to help others while helping your own organization? If you are willing to help, please let me know. There are many tasks that don't require any computing skills at all, and each of us is capable of contributing to the overall success of the organization. I promise I won't ask you for something you can't do.

Happy Computing!
Terry