What
does T.O.R.C.H. stand for?
Technical Out Reach Community Help
What is the purpose of the TORCH Community Service Project?
The T.O.R.C.H. Program was developed in 2000 as the National Society
of Black Engineer’s (N.S.B.E.) answer to the Digital Divide. The purpose
of the T.O.R.C.H. Community Service Initiative is to encourage community
service among our membership and communities that are underserved with
regards to digital technology. NSBE members will perform over 50,000
volunteer community service hours in local partner computer technology
centers by providing technical assistance to pre-college youth and adults.
Our potential community partners include CTCNet, Intel Computer Clubhouses
and existing NSBE T.O.R.C.H. Centers among others. Members and chapters
completing the most community service hours in the program may be eligible
for incentive awards for their dedicated service.
How can your chapter become a TORCH Center?
1. NSBE members are encouraged to create partnerships with existing
community technology center (CTCs) to do community service on site.
2. NSBE chapters can provide financing for equipment and/or provide
maintenance and regular program support to an existing community technology
center.
How many volunteer hours for the national community service project
can/must chapters do?
We are encouraging each chapter to have a total of one-third of its
chapter membership to conduct on average 15 to 20 hours each month of
community service with local community technology centers (CTCs).
How does the TORCH Community Service Incentive Program work?
NSBE is utilizing BCA funds to strengthen the current T.O.R.C.H. Program.
Each region will receive $5,400 to allocate to NSBE chapters who meet
following criteria between September 2007 and April 2008:
FALL/SPRING SEMESTER AWARDS
Collegiate/Alumni Member Awards $750
(3 @ $250)
Collegiate/Alumni Chapter $1500 (3 @
$500)
Small Chapter Level
Medium Chapter Level
Large Chapter Level
NSBE Jr. Chapter $450 (1 per region)
Who is the regional TORCH Contact?
Your region Programs Chairperson will be your initial contact to obtain
more details on the NSBE TORCH Community Service Initiative. Please
locate your Regional TORCH Chairs under the Contact Us link on the National
TORCH Website (www.nsbe.org/torch).
Where can I find the curriculum for my TORCH Program?
There is currently no official TORCH Curriculum available. We are partnering
with several national programs to utilize existing curriculums. We encourage
chapters with existing an curriculum to share with all of NSBE through
our TORCH web site. We anticipate an official T.O.R.C.H. curriculum
for Spring 2008.)
Do I have to build a TORCH computer lab?
No. We are encouraging all members to participate in the National TORCH
Community Service Initiative. For those chapters that have created physical
TORCH Lab or are partnering with an existing CTC, we are looking to
make resources available via the national TORCH web site.
Where can I find a CTC (Community Tech Center) to complete my volunteer
hours?
1) Consult the NSBE TORCH Web site at www.nsbe.org/torch
2) Consult the web site of our national partners to obtain specific
sites and contacts
a. Intel Computer Clubhouse
b. Developing Partnerships include
i. Community Technology Network (CTCNet)
ii. Cyber Church
How can I track my volunteer hours?
Currently an on-line system is available to assist chapters with compiling
the volunteer hours for each member. http://www.nsbe.org/torch
Who are the National TORCH Center Partners?
Developing partnerships include
a. Community Technology Network (CTCNet)
b. Cyber Church
Where are the NSBE TORCH Centers?
We are currently compiling an update list of chapters that have an existing
physical computer laboratory or are in partnership with an existing
program to support computer/STEM-related activities either in a CTC,
campus or at company sites.
How can my chapter’s program or site be listed as an official
‘TORCH Site’?
If you would like to have your TORCH activity or TORCH lab listed as
an official site, you chapter can submit details on your center to torchchair@board.nsbe.org or your Regional TORCH Chair.
How can I find a Community Technology Center (CTC) to
volunteer at?
Consult the NSBE TORCH Web site (include URL)
Consult the web site of our national partners to obtain specific sites
and contacts
a.Community Technology Network (CTCNet)
b. Cyber Church
Can I implement a TORCH Community Service Program on campus or at
my company?
YES.we are encouraging chapters and members to create one on their campus
or at their local company.
How can our chapter implement a TORCH Volunteer Program? TORCH Computer
Lab?
A 5-step guideline to assist chapter and chapter members with developing
their TORCH Community Service program with local partners. For details,
go to the national TORCH website.
Building TORCH Computers Centers is an option for chapters with the
resources, time and commitment. For further details on developing a
community technology lab, consult the TORCH web site or send an email
to other NSBE members that have created their own TORCH Computer Lab.
Will there be a TORCH workshop at SRC? At Nationals?
The National TORCH Committee will provide updated information to each
region through the Programs Chairperson. It will be encouraged for them
to share the current TORCH information during their presentations at
regional conferences. Detailed information can be obtained from the
National TORCH website. Existing chapters with either current TORCH
programs and labs or similar community service activities will be encouraged
to share their information with programs chairs and chapters via the
National TORCH web site.
Plans are under development to host a
TORCH Resource Headquarters during the national convention to introduce
our national partners and host a series of presentations to assist chapters
with implementing the national community service model and assist current
and developing TORCH lab projects. The TORCH Committee will also host
a discussion panel on current topics in the Digital Divide.
What is the Digital Divide?
The "digital divide" is the phrase commonly used to describe
the gap between those who benefit from new technologies and those who
do not. The phrase was first popularized by the National Telecommunications
and Information Administration (NTIA) in the U.S. Department of Commerce
in their 1995 report Falling Through the Net: A Survey of the “Have
Nots” in Rural and Urban America. Additional information can be obtained
from http://www.media.mit.edu/~rpinkett/papers/.
When will the TORCH Community Service Project begin?
September 2007
How do you select a TORCH Community Service Coordinator for the chapter?
Recommended characteristics include an active member, good time management
and communication skills, a great recruiter and motivator, an upperclassman
or established alumni.
What are the TORCH Community Service Coordinator responsibilities?
Recommended responsibilities include
1) Identifying a CTC site,
2) Becoming the chapter liaison with CTC site,
3) Completing the MOU,
4) Recruiting and training NSBE members for community service project
and
5) Tracking the number of volunteer hours.
Should a chapter have to participate in the TORCH Community Service
Project?
YES. We are encouraging all chapters to participate in the national
community service project to assist in achieving the organizational
goal of 50,000 community service volunteer hours in community technology
centers nationwide.
How do I establish a relationship with a CTC Site?
1) First, determine what type of resources your chapter can bring to
local community technology centers and their existing programs.
2) Second, determine how many hours can be donated to the program and
how many members can volunteer in a given month.
3) Next, establish clear and common volunteer objectives with the CTC
site Program Director.
4) Finally complete a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with your site
and forward to the WHQ
Do NSBE Volunteers have to be trained before they are able to volunteer
at a CTC?
YES. Review with chapter members the “NSBE CTC Volunteer Expectations”
guidelines prior to the start of all community service projects.
What are the expectations of NSBE members and CTC sites for the program?
An established ‘code of conduct and expectations’ has been developed
for the TORCH Community Service Initiative. All participants should
review the guidelines prior to committing to participate on site. It
is also recommended that NSBE volunteers review the guidelines and expectations
specific to each CTC site.
What are the current statistics on technology literacy and the community?
Several web site have been created that discuss current statistics and
provided additional details.
On Digital Divide…
Digital Divide Network – http://www.digitaldividenetwork.org/
The Morino Institute – http://www.morino.org
ContentBank.org – http://www.contentbank.org
On Community Technology…
Community Technology Centers' Network (CTCNet) – http://www.ctcnet.org
BCT Partners Inc., Dr. Randal Pinkett - http://www.media.mit.edu/~rpinkett/papers/
PolicyLink.org - http://www.policylink.org
When will the TORCH Community Service Toolkit be available?
September 2007
I do not see my question on the FAQ file. What should I do?
Please go to the TORCH web site and submit your FAQ or contact the National
TORCH Chair or Regional TORCH Chair.
T.O.R.C.H. Glossary
CBO - Community Based Organization
IT - Information Technology
ICT - Information and Computer Technology Community Technology
- Community-based initiatives that use technology to support and meet
the goals of a community.
Community Technology Center (CTC) - Publicly accessible facilities
that provide computer and Internet access as well as technical instruction
and support.
ICT - Information and communications technology including computers
and the Internet.
National Information Infrastructure (NII) - An interconnected
network of computers, databases, handheld devices, and consumer electronics.
STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (also
referred to as SMET) |
