This month has six days that should be of interest to a number of folks:

• 2^nd: Read Across America Day (Dr. Seuss Birthday):
  Honoring Dr. Seuss, Read Across America Day is celebrated on Dr. Seuss' birthday. The National Education Association sponsors events to inspire reading in children throughout our schools and communities;
• 14^th: Daylight Saving Time begins:
  The national change three years ago extends the period about four weeks - starts a few weeks earlier, and ends a little later than the previous decree. To remember which way to move the clock time indicators, keep in mind the phrase, “Spring forward, Fall back;”
• 17^th: St. Patrick’s Day:
  an annual feast day which celebrates Saint Patrick (circa 385–461 AD), one of the patron saints of Ireland. Don’t forget to wear green;
• 20^th: First day of Spring:
  There is either an equinox (autumn and spring) or a solstice (summer and winter) on approximately the 21st day of the last month of every quarter of the calendar year. On a day which has an equinox, the center of the Sun will spend a nearly equal amount of time above and below the horizon at every location on Earth and night and day will be of nearly the same length;
• 28^th: Palm Sunday:
  The beginning of Holy Week which begins on the Sunday before Easter Sunday. It recalls Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem one week before his execution (for a listing of each day go to: religioustolerance.org/easter3.htm);
• 30^th: Passover:
  Jewish Holiday of Pesach is the 8 day observance commemorating the freedom and exodus of the Israelites (Jewish slaves) from Egypt during the reign of the Pharaoh Ramses II. Begins on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Nissan. As the Jewish day begins at sundown the night before, the first night of Passover will be on the 29th.

Rent expense has been paid through April, but declining membership (about 200 at last count), waning interest in the organization, very low attendance at monthly General Meetings (only 16 present in February), and shrinking finances (less than $500 available to pay remaining expenses and anticipated expenses) continues. (With remaining funds being as low as they are, it looks like an Organizational presence will only be able to be maintained for a few more months in 2010.) Fortunately, the member’s access server has been moved to a new location and is to become functional, again soon. Also, the Alamo PC magazine (PC Alamode) will be published through April. We are continuing to try and find ways to keep a presence of the Alamo PC Organization alive, but it has not been easy. The Main “Home Page” server remains unaffected, and will continue to be available although it is being maintained in a “caretaker” mode at present.

These actions have allowed Alamo PC to pay existing and new short term bills, and may provide some funds for the rent to be continued past April of this year.

The February BOD meeting was held, with only four members (Me, David Steward, Steve Tech, Cary Hall, and Mike Bianchi). The focus of the meeting was on the future of the Alamo PC Organization and actions that appeared to be necessary in the next few months. One thing that was again stipulated was that an attempt to maintain an Alamo PC Organization presence should be pursued for as long as possible. With that in mind, our location and General Meetings will continue thru April 2010. In the interim, options will continue to be addressed and a more long-term solution will try to be found, so that monthly meetings (even if ad hoc) of interested individuals can continue to be held at either the current location or an alternate location that may be available..

At the February General Meeting David Steward provided a program and answered related questions. He also touched on some other items of general interest to the 16 people in attendance. Questions were again forthcoming about Alamo PC and the Organization’s future. Answers were provided as information was available, and proposed thinking and actions were again discussed. Those present seemed to understand the difficulties leadership is faced with, given the expenses and declining membership. Some again indicated they were surprised the leadership had been able to keep the organization functioning for as long as this year.

It is the next to the last day of February and David Steward has indicated he will be the presenter for the March General Meeting (8th). Since he has not provided any information on what he will cover I can only hope he has something interesting and beneficial worked out for the meeting. The meeting, unless otherwise noted on the web site, will be at our current office location at 4888 Whirlwind It is once again in David Steward hands, so we will have to wait to see what actually transpires! Since things can change, even at the last minute, check the website for the latest information about the General Meeting which begins at 7_PM.

As I have said in many preceding messages, overall interest in User Groups at the corporate and membership level continues to wain. As I also have pointed out in many previous messages, this fact is confirmed by the ever declining Alamo PC membership (only about 10 new members since November 2008), plus the fact we have not had a full compliment of board members (at least one vacancy) for the past four years.

With the declining number of individuals who are currently serving the organization in a board member capacity, and who have been willing to continue serving, I have said, “ the future of OUR organization appears to be dimming rapidly.” That, coupled with the fact that declining membership has caused declining funds to allow the organization to continue as it once was.

Since almost all of our new members were previously obtained from walk-in traffic at the Learning Center (when we were in Crossroads Mall, and that luxury no longer exists due to our move) we have suffered. And, remaining members have not been as helpful, as hoped, in obtaining new members. So, the point has arrived when remaining funds will no longer allow the Alamo PC Organization to continue operating for much longer.

I have been a member of Alamo PC since the early 90's, and have tried to serve the Organization in various capacities. In 2003 I was nominated as “President Elect” and began serving in that capacity in October of that year. In October 2004 I became “President” and have continued to serve in that capacity, since no one has indicated a desire to be “President Elect” or “President.”

When formed, the mission of Alamo PC was stated as “to increase its members knowledge and effective use of personal computers through presentations, instructional programs, other membership services and access to the expertise of other members.” Over the years that mission has been accomplished, albeit with declining effectiveness. I say that because individuals born since Alamo PC was founded in 1983 have grown up with computers, most individuals who were about 25 then were associated with computers through their jobs, and those who were about 50 have moved to the 75 year figure and many of that grouping are no longer with us. I have spoken of this over the past few years as one of the primary reasons for our decline in membership. I believe the more focused reason, however, is the lack of General Meeting interest, primarily because of a lack of long term scheduling and available information about the presentations. I am sure I would have disagreement from one or more on that statement.

As, I have said before, “the future of OUR organization ... [rests] ... in the hands of its members. Whether WE continue (or not) depends on OUR interest and involvement. But, it primarily depends on membership renewals and/or financial support. Without those, we will not be able to meet our financial obligations and additional ‘business decisions' will have to be made that will affect everyone." “Business decisions” have been made and soon “it will be like the loss of a friend or family member, and will impact those in the community desiring to learn about computers or improve their computer skills.”

I can only hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday period and many good things will be in each of your lives during this new year. Thanks for allowing me to try and serve each member, although I have misgivings about my service to the Alamo PC Organization.

Anyone having questions regarding any area addressed or matter pertaining to the Alamo PC Organization, and future proposed plans may refer them to Steven Tech or to me at either one of the following: president@alamopc.org, or privately. We will try to provide information relating to the request.