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CPCUG's application, consisting of answers to ten questions, will be judged on several criteria:
Its innovation, the degree to which the transformation represents a fundamental change in the governance, management, direction, or policy approach of a particular agency, jurisdiction, or country.
Its effectiveness, the degree to which the transformation has achieved tangible and sustainable results.
Its scope, the degree to which the transformation can demonstrate substantial reach and significance.
Its collaboration, the degree to which the transformation demonstrates successful cooperation among internal agencies and external partners.
Its transferability, the degree to which the transformation, or aspects of it, shows promise of inspiring successful replication by other governmental entities.
The first question was, "1) Describe your transformation. What significant problem does it address?" The answer began:
Project ReBoot is closing the digital divide by rebuilding donated computers and providing entire, authenticated systems to low-income, homeless, disabled or displaced students and adults, while serving as a learning hub and supply warehouse for school and community computer clubs attempting to establish similar distribution programs. We also have two welfare clients as workers learning computer repair in a sheltered work environment. We also make at least a dent in the problem that millions of PCs are scrapped every year which have at least three or more useful years ahead of them.
The digital divide is a quiet and debilitating disruption in every community in America, a reality with personal, family, community, social and economic impacts. Families, individuals and students without a computer at home cannot keep up with schoolwork, will not meet the workforce requirements of a 21st century job, and are constantly reminded that they are disadvantaged especially when standing in line waiting for the allowed thirty minutes at a library computer. Thousands of disabled and low income adults need computers to participate in the modern economy. We are watching as the newspaper want ads are being shifted to the internet from the paper medium. The irony is that the knowledge, resources and excess computers are available to provide a computer to every American but short-sighted policy makers sell perfectly good computers for scrap metal. A disabled veteran was given a computer, after getting nowhere with the VA, and was referred to us by a welfare agency. He reported that the local VA hospital had thrown about 100 PCs into dumpsters and told the staff that anyone caught taking one would be fired.
The application ran for 13 pages, requiring a significant effort to complete.
But it will be worth it if we win. Many groups have equally compelling projects
which could expand their reach with added funding. What has your group done to
creatively seek awards and grants to fulfill your mission of community service?