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| Volume IV Issue 2 |
February 2009 |
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GroundWork group Mission Statement: "To strengthen the impact of nonprofit organizations by enhancing their
ability to achieve their missions through sustainable and affordable information management, education and
technology solutions."
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In this issue...
GroundWork group Creating a Young Professionals Advisory Council
GroundWork group Member Spotlight "YWCA Columbus"
TechColumbus Innovation Awards
Tech Tip
Upcoming Events
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GroundWork group Creating a Young Professionals Advisory Council
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GroundWork group has a dynamic Board of Directors and Executive Advisory Committee and is now creating a Young Professionals Advisory Council for professionals between the ages of 18 and 30, extending our reach into the next generation. GroundWork group wants to engage this group to look into volunteer opportunities that will benefit our members as well as the community as a whole. Ben Blanquera, a member of GroundWork group Executive Advisory Committee is taking the lead along with John Hrusovsky, CEO of GroundWork group, to form and connect the participants of this new committee.
The initial Kick-Off was held on February 17 to an audience of 40+ individuals. John and Ben led the discussion around the activities and opportunities that GroundWork group would provide on how to become involved by volunteering their services and expertise within the nonprofit community. The response from the group attending was positive with many who attended the event following up with John wanting to know more information on becoming a member of the council and how they can become involved.
If you are a young professional between the ages of 18 and 30 and would like to be part of this council, or know of someone who would, please contact GroundWork group at 614-884-7780 or email info@groundworkgroup.org for more information. Watch for updates and information on when the next meeting will occur.
To find out more information about GroundWork group, go to our website at www.groundworkgroup.org. |
YWCA Columbus is breaking down barriers
and fostering opportunities for women in Central Ohio.
The YWCA of Columbus began in 1886 by providing safe shelter for 25 young women. Over the last 120 years, YWCA has worked to eliminate racism and empower women. Today, YWCA Columbus programming serves over 40,000 women and families. Chasity Kuttrus, Partner, Ray and Barney Group and board member of YWCA Columbus shares with us her experiences with the YWCA and GroundWork group.
"Almost four years ago, I was elected to the Board of Directors of the YWCA Columbus. This responsibility has proven to be one of the most rewarding that I have ever taken on. Our YWCA Columbus has a proud 122-year history of serving the Central Ohio community. It touches thousands of lives each year by operating one of the largest family shelters in Central Ohio, improving race relations by facilitating dialogues, providing child care and youth development, and promoting health and fitness. I currently chair the Technology Committee as well as the GenY Committee. I am also the current Chair-elect."
 "GroundWork group is currently our primary outsourced IT service provider! More importantly, they are also a partner and an advisor to the YWCA. From the very beginning of the relationship, GroundWork group provided educational opportunities surrounding all' areas of technology. We started with an overall technology assessment of our entire infrastructure. We found the associates of GroundWork group to be both knowledgeable and approachable. Our partnership was strengthened because our values are in alignment: integrity, wisdom, community involvement, and collaboration. Their service offerings are tailored to their clients' needs, their pricing structures are reasonable and their support is scalable. Their pricing structures are reasonable and their support is scalable. In addition to the technology support, we also utilize their CIVIC Toolset to conduct registration for one of our key events every year, the YWCA Women of Achievement Awards. We are excited about the stable environment that GroundWork group has helped us establish, and we look forward to continued support!"
For more information on the YWCA, please visit their website www.ywcacolumbus.org.
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| TechColumbus Innovation Awards |
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The TechColumbus Innovation Awards (formerly TopCat Awards) hold a special place in the heart of GroundWork group. In 2006 we were a finalist for Outstanding Start-Up Business; in 2007 we won for Innovation in Non-Profit Service Delivery; and, in 2008 we were a finalist for Outstanding Service (less than 50 employees).
GroundWork group would like to congratulate the winners of the 2008 TechColumbus Innovation Awards. Each year, TechColumbus recognizes outstanding individuals and teams exemplifying the best in technology leadership and innovation.
Green Innovation Velocys Inc.
Minority Owned Enterprise Flairsoft Ltd.
Outstanding Service (less than 50 employees) KidsLinked.com
Outstanding Service (over 50 employees) WorldCat Local
Outstanding Product (less than 50 employees) LSP Technologies, Inc.
Outstanding Product (over 50 employees) Emerson Network Power
Innovation in Non-Profit Service Delivery TECH CORPS Ohio
Executive of the Year (less than 50 employees) Michael A. Lanese, ClearSaleing, Inc.
Executive of the Year (over 50 employees) Mark Boyed, Zomax
Outstanding Woman in Technology Dr. Alice T. Epitropoulos, Epico/Ophthalmic Surgeons
Inventor of the Year Philip E. Eggers, Cardiox Corporation
Outstanding Start-Up Business EXCMR, Ltd.
Outstanding Technology Team Center for Innovation in Pediatric Practice, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital
TechColumbus Student Innovation Awards Mark Mahaffey & Claire Allen
TechColumbus President's Award John O. Huston
Judges selected the winners from a record number of entries. The 2008 Innovation Awards were presented before a crowd of over 1,000 on February 5, 2009 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Registration and event management was conducted by GroundWork group. Contact GroundWork group for your event registration and management needs. 614-884-7780, ext. 102. |
Phishing to Steal Your Identity!
"Verify your account." "If you don't respond within 48 hours, your account will be closed." "Click the link below to gain access to your account."
Have you received emails making these statements? If so, then you've received what is called a "phishing" email message. As scammers become more sophisticated, so do their phishing email messages and pop-up windows.
Very often, they include official-looking logos from real organizations and other identifying information taken directly from legitimate web sites. They use these emails to lure personal and financial information from unsuspecting victims that can lead to identity theft! Phishing messages may ask you to update personal information or "confirm" your account information, often threatening dire consequences if you do not follow the instruction.
Here are a few tips to avoid getting hooked by a phishing scam or to determine if an email is fraudulent.
Do not reply and do not click on the link in an email or pop-up message that asks for personal or financial information. Legitimate companies don't ask for this information via email.
Install a phishing filter application on your computer or laptop.
Phone number area codes can be misleading. With the increased usage of Voice over Internet Protocol technology, the area code you call does not necessarily reflect the location of the scammers.
Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software, as well as a firewall and update them all regularly. Some phishing emails contain software that can harm your computer or track your activities on the Internet without your knowledge.
Never email personal or financial information. Email is not a secure method of transmitting sensitive information.
Review credit card and bank account statements as soon as you receive them to check for unauthorized charges. If your statement is late by more than a couple of days, call your credit card company or bank to confirm your billing address and account balances.
Be cautious about opening any attachment or downloading any files from emails you receive, regardless of who sent them. These files can contain viruses or other software that can weaken your computer's security.
Attend GroundWork group's Nonprofit IT Forum on March 10 to learn more about phishing, identity theft and taking precautions. |
| Upcoming Events |
Nonprofit IT Forum Identity Theft
Tuesday, March 10, Noon to 1:30
Jewish Family Services, 1070 College Ave., 43209
"Who Are You and What Did You Do With Me?" Come join the discussion with banking professional Tammy Moskites of the Huntington on why identity theft is on the rise and how to protect yourself, before paying for a service. As the economy gets tighter, identity theft is increasing. Why? Quite simply, social networking sites make it easy for people to share personal information publicly, and "phishing" scams are becoming more prevalent.
Lunch will be provided.
Please RSVP to Brenda Grosse at bgrosse@groundworkgroup.org.
Social Networking: Internet Society, Legal Questions and More
Wednesday, April 1 8:30 a.m. to Noon
Sequent, 4700 Lakehurst Court, Dublin, 43016
United Way of Central Ohio, GroundWork group and the Ohio Association of Nonprofit Organizations are teaming up to present a half day workshop covering social networking sites, such as Facebook and MySpace, organizational policy and legal issues associated with social networking.
- What is social networking?
- How do you create and participate in a social networking site?
- Legal Risks: What your organization needs to know surrounding social networking and creating policy.
Presenters: Ben Blanquera, Director of Application, Progressive Medical; Sandy Blanquera, President & Catalyst, Blanquera Consulting; and, Lisa Kathumbi, Attorney, Bricker & Eckler.
Fees: $40 for GroundWork group and OANO members; $50 for nonmembers. Price includes breakfast.
Register: Click Here
SAVE THE DATE! Business Productivity Classes
Monday, March 23 & Tuesday, April 14
Platform Labs, 1275 Kinnear Rd.
Look for additional information coming to your email soon!
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GroundWork group Contact Information:
GroundWork group, 1880 Mackenzie Drive, Suite 207
Columbus, OH 43220
GroundWork group Team Members:
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John Hrusovsky
CEO
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Jamie Ratcliffe
IT Specialist
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Dale Abrams
Executive Advisor, Event Management VP
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Eric Jones
IT Specialist
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Brenda Grosse
VP of Operations & Administration
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Dan McCaslin
IT Specialist
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Stephanie Neighbarger
VP of Technology Services
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Bob Campbell
Developer
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Tom Guy
VP of Member Services, Web Management Services
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Randy Wright
Developer
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Bryan Butler
VP of CIVIC Solutions
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Carolyn Green
CIVIC Education & Administration
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Tracy Nelson
Grant Writer, Marketing Lead
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GroundWork group is proud to be a Community Partner of
United Way of Central Ohio.
tnelson@groundworkgroup.org
http://www.groundworkgroup.org
614-884-7780
614-884-7783 (fax)
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