Mangawhai page

SeniorNet Mangawhai Inc.

Computer Learning Centre for Those Over 50

1960 State Highway 1, Kaiwaka (opposite the Cheese Shop)

PO Box 72, Mangawhai

Phone: 09-431-0002

Click here to view the prospectus for 2010

January brings us to the start of another year and we at SeniorNet Mangawhai hope you all enjoyed a happy and restful holiday time either at home or away.

In an ever-changing world we are surrounded by computer-based technology and SeniorNet courses offer an excellent way to get the best out of your home computer by enrolling on our courses and attending workshops. We trust that members who attended courses & workshops last year are putting their new found skills & knowledge to good use and are now ready to learn more.

Our first term for the year commences on Monday 8 February and we are able to offer the following courses:

Beginner’s Introduction to Computers in Windows XP & Vista – 4 weeks
Art of Word Processing Level 1 & Level 2 for Word 2002/2003 – 8 week courses
Basic Word Processing using Word 2007 & Vista – 8 weeks
Email & Internet in Windows XP – 4 weeks each course
Picasa 3 for XP & Vista (how to organise & edit photos) – 4 weeks
Managing Files and Folders in XP & Vista – 4 weeks

Course lessons are of 2 hour duration and are held Monday – Wednesday. There are three sessions per day: 9 -11am; 12 – 2pm and 3 – 5pm (start times may occasionally vary). 4 week courses are $25 per person and 8 week courses cost $45 per person.

For those who would like to revise their recent courses we can offer a course repeat or even a specific lesson revision at a heavily discounted rate because manuals and discs are already in your possession. It is not uncommon for students to want to repeat a course to gain a better understanding.

To register interest & check availability for any of our courses please contact the course coordinator: Tony Cox on 431 2269. Membership is a requirement for attendance on courses. The annual membership fee is $20 per person.

We will also be continuing to offer workshops on a Friday afternoon on a regular (hopefully monthly) basis on topics of general interest. These will include some repeats (by popular request) e.g. ‘Trade Me’; Google; Internet Banking; PC Housekeeping and some new topics such as Genealogy; Digital Scrap booking; How to download & save email attachments & photos and Skype.

Membership renewal forms and a Prospectus for 2010 will be sent out to members over the next couple of weeks and application forms to anyone interested in becoming a new member of SeniorNet Mangawhai Inc.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Please note your diaries that our Annual General Meeting will take place on Friday 5^th March at The Club, Mangawhai Heads commencing at 2:00pm. A reminder will be sent out closer to the date together with details of the Agenda which will include nomination for and election of a new committee for the forthcoming year.

Contacts: Neville Andrew (Chairman) - (09) 4318-191)

Sheila Ballard – 431-4305

Tony Cox (Course Co-ordinator) 4312-269,

The idea of 'seniors' teaching each other the use of a computer started in the United States over 15 years ago. A group of these seniors banded together to swap ideas and to learn about the new IT age from each other. They did not want to be left out of this new domain associated with bright young people, often their own Grandchildren. So a unique system of peer to peer computer learning was born.

It was quickly brought to New Zealand where the first group was formed in Nelson some 14 years ago. The concept had much appeal and was quickly embraced by other groups around New Zealand. There are now over 100 SeniorNets around the country, over one quarter of the World total. Why? Because at the outset strong sponsorship from Telecom, Microsoft, and various Community Trusts meant that these groups were well founded. Each club is autonomous, not for profit, and operates with relatively simple rules - members must be over 50 years of age and must be involved principally to learn IT related subjects from each other.