News and Notices

This page contains News and Notices relating to PCUG.
nb. You are now reading information on the PCUG Information - Members Informing Members - Wiki.
General information about PCUG is provided on the main PCUG website.
Internet Services (TIP) Information is available on the TIP Wiki

Training overview is available on the main PCUG website Training Information. Specific Course information is available on this wiki Training Courses.

We welcome expressions of interest from Trainers wishing to run courses, and Participants seeking courses. Please contact the [PCUG Office] for either/or.

PCUG Christmas Party - Sat 30 November, 2013 11am - 2.30pm

Item Date 19 November, 2013

• at the PCUG Centre, in Holder.
• Light refreshments (including non-alcholic drinks), will be provided.
• Your assistance to bring a plate, or contribute a gold coin donation will be appreciated.
• BYOG.
• See you there !!!

Training Room for Hire

Item revised 19 November 2013

• The PCUG Training Room is available for hire to groups in the community for $125 per hour for non-member groups, or $65 per hour for member non-profit groups.
• Full details are available via our PCUG Training Information page
• We are seeking support from members to assist coordinate the promotion of PCUG Training facilities in our community.
• An honoraria is applicable for every successful hire arranged and overseen by a member (just as trainers running PCUG courses may claim honoraria). Details TBA once confirmed by the PCUG Committee.
• The PCUG Training room is refurbished new Dell machines, with Windows7 Operating system.
• Training room hire is an under-utilized facility available to PCUG members and community groups.
• Word of mouth has resulted in several hires this year. Help spread the word. See our training information page [1] for information.
  

Training Courses for 2014

Item Date: 19 November, 2013

• We are now looking to prepare our 2014 Training program.
• Expressions of Interest from both potential trainers and trainees are being accepted.
• Web details of Training Courses are on this Info Wiki Training Courses page.
• As courses fill, e/o are accepted for further courses, trainers willing.
• If there is a topic you wish to learn, let us know.
• Can you teach or assist a course? Trainer Honoraria applicable.
• Please contact Karen Adams at the PCUG Office (Acting Training Coordinator) or the Training Team via the contact form.

PCUG Christmas & New Year wind-down

Item Date 19 November, 2013

• The PCUG Office & Centre COB for 2013 - 2pm Friday 20 December, 2013
• Open For Business: 10am Tuesday 28 January, 2014
  Business will resume after the Australia Day Long weekend.
• PCUG is closed for the Xmas & New Year Period from Saturday 21 December, 2013 to Monday 27 January 2014.
• Member support will continue to be monitored, and may be accessed per the guidelines on the PCUG help pages Help and Advice.

Member support during the Christmas & New Year period

Item Date 19 November, 2013

• Monitoring of communications and member needs will be supported by a roster of volunteers. Please follow the help information Help and Advice
• Our appreciation to the PCUG Volunteers who keep services and enquiries of the group maintained during the closure period.
• We look forward to 2014 being a time for PCUG moving ahead, with the support of Volunteers who are the back-bone of the clubs success and future.

Office Manager Position

Item Revised: 19 November, 2013

• PCUG's Office Manager, Karen Adams, is happy to announce that she is staying on as Office Manager for PCUG. The Notice of Resignation has been withdrawn, and accepted by the PCUG Committee. Karen has been employed with PCUG since May 2005, and it was gratifying for Karen to have the support and well wishes of so many members. I thank everyone, particularly the PCUG Office Volunteers, Trainers and Committee for their assistance.

PCUG Office Hours

Item revised 19 November, 2013

• The PCUG Office Manager's core days at the Office are Monday, Wednesday & Friday.
• The Office is staffed by Volunteers other weekdays.
• Please note that due to low activity on weekends, week-end opening times are in recess. This may be reviewed pending member demand for same.
• Phone messages are monitored by the office team, with arrangements in place for ongoing monitoring during public holiday periods (this cover is being extended to weekends per willing & available volunteers).
• For general assistance advice, please see the HELP information page on the PCUG website [2]

Info from PCUG AGM Monday 14 October, 2013 6.30pm

Item revised 19 November, 2013

• Welcome to the new committee for 2013-2014 committee year.
• New committee members include Anthony Glenn, who has filled the position of President. This position has been vacant for several years.
• Link to AGM Information, including minutes, which may be accessed by members
• draft minutes direct link Committee Minutes Index
• note that these are draft format, to be accepted at the next AGM, with amendments if required

Welcome New PCUG Committee Members

Item revised 19 November, 2013

• Welcome Anthony Glenn (President), and Heinrich Stefanik (Committee Member), who are new to the committee this year. Thank you to other committee members who are continuing to serve on the committee.

Full committee details may be viewed by members on the PCUG Home page (after logging into the site) [3] under the Administration Tab.

PCUG Volunteer of the Year for 2013

Item Date 19 November, 2013

• Congratulations to Rod Peters.
• Full details PCUG Volunteer of the Year 2013 info page

Call For Volunteers

'Item revised 19 november 2013

• An all-member email was circulated early 2012 "YOUR PCUG NEEDS YOU" outlining the need for Volunteers.
• Thank you to those who have responded, as we work to connect valued time and/or skills with support areas in PCUG.
• Please contact the PCUG Office Manager [4] to discuss any aspect of this further.
• Our motto is USERS HELPING USERS. Information sharing is the backbone of our success. Share and learn.
• Contributions to the group can be of any scale. Expertise, as required, is sought out. There is alot our group can achieve with shared effort. More information available on the PCUG website [5]
  

PCUG Volunteer Job Descriptions

Item revised: 19 November, 2013

• What is a Volunteer? At the July 2013 Committee Meeting, it was agreed "that a volunteer be defined as a person filling a role for which there is a description which identifies the role and the expected benefits to the organisation”.
• It is important that we have clearly defined descriptions of Volunteer Roles. The Activities and Opportunities area of this wiki is where these descriptions are recorded, and may be contributed to by any member. This will make it easier for potential volunteers to know what's involved, as well as identify the volunteer roles in PCUG.
• We welcome input from anyone who is or has supported any role, by editing the Activities and Opportunities wiki page, or feedback to Karen (PCUG Office Manager)[6]

PCUG Committee - Volunteers needed to fill key vacancies

Item revised 19 November, 2013

• The PCUG Committee is still in need of Volunteers.
• The committee acts to represent your interests in the management of club activities and other requirements as outlined in our Constitution.
• The Vice President positions is now vacant, with several general committee spots also available.
• Meetings are held once a month, and discussion of matters is otherwise by email.
• The PCUG cannot function with-out an active and viable committee.
• Please contact the PCUG Committee [7] or Office Manager [8] with expressions of interest.

PCUG Website volunteers

Item revised 19 November, 2013

• The main PCUG website is administered using Wordpress.
• The site is in need of additional volunteer input to support.
• Please contact the PCUG Office Manager if interested, or for further information.

PCUG Information Wiki

Item revised 19 November, 2013

• PCUG's Information Wiki continues to grow, and has been a success since its launch mid 2012.
• It provides a place where PCUG members can share information with each other, via your TIP login.
• We very much encourage your participation in the growth of this site!
• New to editing wikis?? See our Wiki Help in the navigation on the left, for TIPs on getting started.

Cyber Security, and Stay Smart Online

Item revised 19 November, 2013

• PCUG is an official partner of teh Cyber Security Awareness program.
• We have an area on this information wiki for information to help members, that includes tips, and also where to look for information alerts.
• Follow the news on the Stay Smart Online website
  The Australian Government's Cybersecurity Website [9] provides information for Australian internet users on the simple steps they can take to protect their personal and financial information online. Full information, including subscription to newsletters, on their website.
• PCUG have also set-up a scam-watch mailing list that members may subscribe to. See details at [10]
• The PCUG Facebook Page is another forum of information sharing

PCUG on Facebook

Item revised 19 November, 2013

• When we ask new members how they heard about our group, it is often by word of mouth.
• Help spread the word about PCUG. We are now linked with other Clubs in Australia, and overseas.
• Like our Facebook page [11]. We have 54 likes at the time of this notice review.
• This page also needs willing administrators. Contact the office for information or feedback.

PCUG Member Survey Update

Item reviewed 19 November, 2013

• you can see a summary of the responses at Member_Survey_2013
• Ongoing efforts are being made to address concerns raised by members. Efforts will be more productive with YOUR help. Users Helping Users via available best effort - can you help? See our Activities and Opportunities page for suggestions of options.

TIO

Item revised 19 November, 2013
PCUG is a member of the TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY OMBUDSMAN [12]
who are a free and fair dispute resolution service for small business and residential customers who have a complaint about their telephone or internet service in Australia. See their website for full information.

E-waste & Recycling Information

Item revised 19 November, 2013

• For an A-Z guide on information about recycling and waste management in the ACT, including computer equipment, see the

A-Z Waste and Recycling Guide - Territory and Municipal Services

Older News and Notices

Older notices, with ongoing information are revised periodically to ratify current information. Access older news and notices than shown on this page using the above link, or by browsing the category link below.