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| Path: Main Street : NewsWeek : Op/Ed : Audience Opinions |
You can't pick up a newspaper or tune in a news broadcast without having someone shout at you about the Y2K Problem a.k.a. the Millennium Bug --- the catastrophic problem most computers apparently will have when January 1, 2000 rolls around. Many government departments are also sending out helpful letters about this to charities and nonprofits.We'd like to hear how small charities and nonprofits are dealing with this. Are you frustrated by insufficient funds to replace equipment, or inadequate expertise to properly evaluate and deal with the risks to your operations? Have you found any inexpensive solutions or sources of help?
(Editor's Note: The following three items comprise Barry Rueger's initial query, which gave rise to our Speak Out! question; a reply to Barry's query from Task Force Year 2000, a federal government initiative; and finally Barry's response to Task Force Year 2000.)Today I received the third notice this month reminding us about the Year 2000 "bug". It seems that every Government department has a staff sending out helpful letters to charities and non-profits.
Is CKCU Radio (Ottawa) the only small charity that feels frustrated by this? I am very aware that some (if not most) of our computer equipment will run into serious problems in 18 months, but it is inconceivable that we would have enough money to replace all of our PCs and software.
What are other small budget groups doing to solve this dilemma?
Barry Rueger CKCU Radio Carleton Inc
Dear Mr. Rueger,Thank you for copying the Task Force Year 2000 in your e-mail to the Charity Village, sharing your concerns about the costs for dealing with the Year 2000. Contrary to your statement, all PCs and software do not necessarily have to be replaced in order to be Year 2000 compliant. By performing an inventory and assessment of the hardware, software and embedded technologies that exist in your workplace, you can determine which areas will need repair or replacement for compliancy.
The Federal Government is aware that SMEs may need assistance for their Year 2000 efforts. For this reason, we have supported the $50-million loan fund with the Business Development Bank of Canada (www.bdc.ca), so that businesses can apply for specially designed term loans that offer flexible repayment conditions, including the possibility of a moratorium on principal payments until the year 2000. The Department of Finance has also announced tax relief for SMEs for computer hardware and software acquired to replace systems that are not Year 2000 compliant. Information concerning the June tax relief announcement can be found at http://www.fin.gc.ca/newse98/98-057e.html.
In addition to these initiatives, Industry Canada's Student Connection Program (SCP) and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce have created the Year 2000 First Step program to help Canadian businesses prepare for the new millennium. Through this program, a business receives assessment of your computer systems and software from a trained student, as well as a discussion on what you can do to prepare your company for the future. For more information on this program, visit http://www.scp-ebb.com or call 1-888-807-7777.
Please do not hesitate to visit our website at strategis.ic.gc.ca/sos2000 for additional Task Force Year 2000 information.
Task Force Year 2000
Dear TF2000GT,You seem to have missed the central point. We know that we are faced with replacing both hardware and software. We have found no shortage of advice in determining our needs - at least three or four government departments so far have sent us letters stressing how important this is. Our auditor has also raised the point for two years running.
My frustration is that while tens of thousands of dollars are being spent on mailings, no-one has told us how we are expected to PAY for the upgrades.
Like most Charities, we have been caught in a real financial bind in recent years. Governments at all levels have slashed funding to Charities. Business, by and large, has shown little interest in pickup up the slack. Unemployment in Canada is still sitting at about 10%, and that has a direct impact on our donor revenues.
Like many charities we are also carrying a debt load already. My guess is that the Business Development Bank will have no interest in advancing thousands of dollars to a charity with an annual budget of less than $300,000. Likewise, changes to CCA provisions really don't do us much good.
The vast majority of charities in Canada have annual budgets of less than $100,000. Despite their size these groups are doing vital work - especially in the hundreds of areas where the federal and provincial governments have reduced or eliminated funding.
In other words - programs designed for widget manufacturers are of little or no use to most Charitable organizations.
Finally - what the heck is a "SME"? You should avoid using acronyms if you don't define them.
Barry Rueger CKCU Radio Carleton Inc
Just a quick anecdote. We went out for quotes on evaluating our computer system for y2k problems. We have significant databases in our special needs adoption efforts, our annual conference, and of course our financials (quickbooks). First quote was $800. Second quote was $90--when the latter learned all our systems our 3 or 4 years old or younger and are Microsoft. We used a local computer company in Des Moines.Ralph Rosenberg, Coalition for Family and Children's Services
We are a small UK charity helping out other charities with IT - especially Internet and e-mail. On our May newsletter we talk about the Millennium bug for charities. You can all view it if you browse our website http://www.fhit.org/fhit/millennium.html.Emanuela Sani, Research and Training Officer, Farndon House Information Trust
Use a Mac. End of problem :-)Keenan Wellar, Executive Director, Special Needs Network (SNN)
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