Hi all, We had our last technology committee of the year this morning. Here is a summary of what we discussed (apologies for the length, I have quite a few updates): 1. Annual Conference Recap - From my perspective, I think things went pretty well tech-wise. I do not recall any major issues with technology in the small groups or in the ballroom. - Preliminary arrangements for AV for next year's conference are in progress (we provided the hotel with an equipment list and got a quote, and I believe a contract has been signed as well). 2. New NEOA Website Update - I am making a push to finish the new NEOA website that we're building with the SquareSpace platform. I would like to roll out the new site by the end of June or mid-July so we have time to test things out and make improvements before 9/1. - During the rollout of the new site, there will be some downtime for both the website and the mailing lists. We'll need to transfer the domain to SquareSpace, configure it with the new website and allow the changes to propagate through the Internet, and also update the mailing list configuration (it's tied to our domain name setup). I also need to figure out some sort of email forwarding or hosting so we can continue to use a few @neoaonline.org email addresses (in particular, we need this for our Zoom license users). - I have most of the basic informational web pages done (pages with just text / pictures / links). I need to make another pass to make sure the new site includes recent updates from the past few months. I am starting to cut back on updates to the current website as we get closer to rolling out the new site. - I have figured out how to do an online payment form for memberships, and it should work ok for any individual or program that can pay online. - I met with the membership co-chairs to discuss the new website, and we are having difficulty coming up with an automated invoice feature for individuals or programs who need to pay with a check. Those folks will all need an invoice to include with their payment. SquareSpace has an invoicing feature that's easy to use, but it involves manual data entry for every invoice you need to send. This will be a lot of work if there are a lot of folks paying by check. - I searched for other technology solutions for automated invoicing, but all of the solutions I found involve the same sort of manual data entry process. I haven't found a way to automate the process in a way that's similar to what we have now. It is too late to choose another website platform (and the other ones I looked at all work the same way anyway), but I am looking for guidance on how to move forward. I checked with the treasurer, and 23 out of 169 membership payments were by check. I do not have numbers for conference registration, but I assume there were quite a few check payments for that event. 3. Looking Ahead - I will not be in-person for our June board meeting, as that weekend is graduation weekend and I have two nieces graduating high school. I can still host the Zoom from UMaine. I will arrange for someone to fill in for me on-site to set up the board meeting projector and screen and join the Zoom. - I will convene a new tech committee in the fall for my final year as technology chair. If you are interested in serving on the committee next year, please contact me so I can add you to my list of 2025-2026 committee members. - I sent Arielle a list of technology expenses that we will have for the next fiscal year. - I have a lead on a technology co-chair for next year. If that does not work out, I will post something on the listserv and newsletter to see about recruiting a co-chair. As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or suggestions about any of these discussion items. Thank you! Casey --- Casey O. Henderson (he/him/his) Technology Coordinator Maine Educational Opportunity Center and Maine Educational Talent Search 308 Chadbourne Hall, Orono, ME 04469-5713 Tel: (207) 581-3707 Email: casey.henderson@maine.edu