ICON’s unofficial motto, "members helping members," is a fundamental principle of user groups everywhere. One of the most important functions within the user group environment is the very act of being a group. The common thread that binds the group together is "computer use." By conducting meetings and providing programs that acknowledge our diversity while aiming at our common interests, we are striving to create an inviting atmosphere that will attract people of similar interests, to meet and share with one another.

We are a very diverse bunch of individuals: engineers, teachers, business people, homemakers, railroaders, machinists, doctors, lawyers, and carpenters. Some of us are highly educated and some of us aren’t. We have diverse levels of interest in learning more about using computers, as well as what we want to use them for.

The world of home computing has changed a lot since ICON’s inception in 1990, which happens to be the same year the modern Internet was born. At that time, less than 15% of U.S. households owned a computer, very few had Internet access, and ICON had far fewer members than it does now. In those early years, the only way to solve another person’s computing problems required a knowledgeable person to go to the other’s home or business and sit at their desk in order to troubleshoot and repair problems.

My father is one of the original 25 charter members of ICON, and he made a lot of those early house calls. Even then, it wasn’t easy to coordinate schedules so everyone could get the help they needed.

I agree with Bill Patrick—I’m really thankful that we still have members who are willing and able to make house calls in order to help others; sometimes it is still the most practical way to solve a problem, and if that is what it takes, we will do our best to provide the help you need.

Much of the technology we take for granted today didn’t even exist in 1990, and our computers are more powerful and capable than they were then. The information-sharing technology that allowed Bill to maintain an Internet Bulletin Board (where people could ask questions and others could answer) has grown to include Instant Messaging, Internet newsgroups, forums, Blogs, pod casts, and web casts. In fact, digital technology now affects virtually every aspect of our lives, including photography, audio, video, and smart phones, just to name a few.

Today, more than 75% of all U.S. households have at least one computer, approximately 65% are connected to the Internet, almost two-thirds of all connections are high speed, and ICON has grown approximately 900%. As new technologies have developed, both the number and scope of topics ICON members want and need to learn about have grown exponentially.

The most valuable resource we have is the willingness of our members to share their experiences, contributing to the overall good of the group. The most important (and hardest) job I do as an officer is trying to manage the organization in a manner that encourages more participation, trying to maximize the benefits of those valuable resources, into the most benefit for the largest number of members possible.

It would be negligent and irresponsible of me (or any officer) to undermine even the smallest contribution by an ICON member to help others. Likewise, it would be negligent and irresponsible to resist tapping the strengths and talents of as many of our members as possible, and/or to refuse to utilize available technologies that significantly increase our ability to provide more help to more people quickly, effectively, and efficiently.

We are stretched very thin in our efforts to address all the areas in which our members want and need support, but we are scrambling to fill the gaps. As I said before, sometimes a house call is the only way to solve a problem, but that is a very time/resource-intensive proposition. If we are to have any hope of providing support for so many, in so many different ways, we must first help as many of you as possible learn basic proficiency skills, and we must use every resource at our disposal.

Because a high percentage of our members are beginners, we have a very low ratio of "those who can help" versus "those who need help." I am working with as many others as are willing to help, at rearranging our schedule to include classes and additional help and support for all ICON members. We need all the help we can get! Anyone willing to help with these efforts, please see below!

HELP WANTED:
Join team of volunteers dedicated to helping organization reach its potential!
Requirements: ICON membership; willingness to learn and share with others;
on-the-job training; experience not important;
salary commensurate with effort (You get as much as you give!)
Apply in person to Terry Roberts at any
ICON function,
or via e-mail

If everybody does a little, nobody needs to do a lot!
Terry