Move to save SeniorNet from facing deletion

IDEAS MAN: SeniorNet national federation executive officer Grant Sidaway has some ideas on how the Gisborne branch can be reinvigorated. The future of the organisation in Tairawhiti will be decided at its annual meeting next week. Northland Age picture

THE future of the SeniorNet Gisborne computer tuition group is uncertain as membership and tutor numbers continue to fall.

The organisation’s options are to be discussed at its annual meeting this Tuesday.

SeniorNet Gisborne was formed in 2000 to help older people learn how to use computers.

“When the group started there were waiting lists for classes,” said committee chairwoman Jill Hudson.

“The group held three classes a day, five days a week, and since then there have probably been about 60 volunteer tutors share their knowledge with over 3500 students.

“In 2000, there were 162 members but that number has fallen over the years and in 2017 we had 65,” she said.

“Tutor numbers have also fallen drastically and that is the reason we need to rethink the way we do things, or close the group down.”

New Zealand SeniorNet Federation executive officer Grant Sidaway will be guest speaker at the annual meeting.

“Grant is familiar with methods used by other groups around the country when dealing with similar problems,” Mrs Hudson said.

“He is keen to discuss different ways to organise and reinvigorate the Gisborne group.

“Some reorganisation and new options, combined with a few more volunteer tutors, may allow the Gisborne group to continue helping older community members learn the techniques and tips to be confident and safe users of digital technology.”

Mrs Hudson encouraged as many SeniorNet members as possible to attend the Tuesday meeting.

“The future of the group is at stake.

“We also welcome anyone with an interest in the aims of SeniorNet, who can contribute to where we go from here.”

SeniorNet started worldwide in the United States in 1986, and was first set up in New Zealand in Wellington in 1992.

“It is for people over 50 wanting to learn about technology, taught in small classes, with volunteer tutors about the same age as the students.”

SeniorNet Gisborne secretary-treasurer Hans Kwak, who is retiring after 15 years of committee work, joined the group as a student in 2001.

Mr Kwak says he has learned far more about computing through being involved in SeniorNet as a tutor and committee member than he would ever have known had he been content to remain a three-term student.

“I remember teaching one lady to take a photo on her smartphone and then text it to her son, and she was so excited when she got a reply.

“We have learned a lot from other tutors and from students, and there have been a lot of stories told over a cuppa. Many students became good friends,” Mr Kwak said.

Tuesday’s meeting starts at 1.30pm in Conference Room A at Gisborne Cosmopolitan Club.