Tell us about the Southeast Coastal Georgia Computer Club and how it started.

"The Southeast Coastal Georgia Computer Club was formed to provide a forum for the exchange of information about computers and information technology. We started in 1992 when home computers were starting to be commonplace and the Web as we know it had just begun. It was modeled after the former Kings Bay Computer Club comprised mostly of sub sailors and staff from the Kings Bay Submarine Base in Camden County GA, but less formal with no membership dues or requirements. Monthly meetings were initially held at various locations in Brunswick, GA. We now alternate between three meeting locations in Brunswick, Darien and St. Simons Island, GA on a quarterly basis. We have never failed to have a monthly meeting in 17 years."

What are things like with the computer club now? What changes do you expect in the future?

"Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month, alternating between our three meeting locations on a quarterly basis. Meetings typically include a presentation on a designated computer or IT related topic followed by a question and answer session. I expect some of the technology discussed and demonstrated to change in the future along with some of the faces of the attendees, but we will remain committed to providing a friendly, supportive forum where home computer users of all skill levels, especially novices, can learn, ask questions, discuss and see what computer and information technology is available and how to use it."

How can someone find out more about the club and become a member?

"You can visit the Computer Club website at http://secgcc.org for information on meeting dates, locations and topics. The site also has links to meeting topic handouts and websites discussed at past meetings.

Monthly meetings are always free and open to the public. There are no membership requirements. We joke that if you attend a meeting you are an official member, and if you attend a second meeting you an official life member!"

You also work with the Mayor's Committee on Services for the Disabled. Can you tell us about that group and your role?

"The Brunswick Glynn County Mayor's Committee on Services for the Disabled, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing a forum to address issues of interest to disabled citizens, their families, and disability related service providers and supporters. The Mayor's Committee was initiated 20 years ago by former Brunswick Mayor, Paul Warwick, a long time supporter of people with disabilities. Our Committee is comprised of local citizens with and without disabilities and representatives of public and private sector disability related service and support organizations. I currently serve as Chairman."

What is the mission of the Mayor's Committee?

"To improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities in the Brunswick Glynn County area by promoting opportunities to work and live in an environment free of barriers imposed by architecture or attitude."

Tell us about your involvement with Spring Fling and how did that get started? Anything new planned for next year's Spring Fling?

"The Mayor's Committee modeled its first Spring Fling after an event held by the Columbus, GA Mayor's Committee for the Disabled. They held a spring gathering for their disabled citizens and their families free of agendas and causes, just free food and fellowship. I liked the idea and instinctively knew we could do even more in our community. We felt there would be intrinsic benefit to holding an event for the disabled and others to let attendees see that disabled folk can have as good a time as anyone else and see others with similar or different disabilities. So the Mayor's Committee held our first Spring Fling, a unique opportunity for our disabled citizens, regardless of age or type of disability, and the general public, to gather together for an afternoon of free food, activities and live entertainment, and drew a modest crowd of a few hundred. This year's Spring Fling, our 8th, was held on April 18th at Mary Ross Park, Downtown Brunswick and was our biggest and best yet with over 1500 attendees. We provided a variety of free food, drinks, live entertainment (music, cloggers, line dancing), activities (picnic games, bouncy activities, petting zoos) and disability related information from numerous disability service and product vendors. This free event is funded through business and community sponsorship and a raffle of 50+ quality prizes. I serve as event coordinator, but this event relies on dozens of volunteers to achieve the success we have all enjoyed. The next Spring Fling is scheduled for April 10, 2010. I'm not sure we will have many new things planned for the next Spring Fling, but we are wide open to suggestions."

What are some upcoming events or important items we should know about?

"FREE Lunch and Learn Information Seminar/Discussion Panel - Every summer we select a subject for discussion as related to people with disabilities and assemble a panel of subject matter experts to lead the discussions. Past subjects include accessibility, recreation and tourism, aging and disability resources, emergency and disaster preparedness, and resources for parents of disabled children. The next FREE Lunch and Learn Information Seminar is on Employment Resources for the Disabled, scheduled for Tuesday, July 28, 2009, 11:30am – 1:00pm, at the Georgia Department of Labor on 2517 Tara Lane, Brunswick, GA 31520. It is open to the public, but space is limited so please call Mary Brown at 264-7244 for reservations.

Disabled Employer of the Year Award - The Mayor's Committee awards a local business or organization for their notable efforts to recruit, hire, train and retain disabled employees. The award is presented at a luncheon in October in conjunction with National Disability Employment Awareness Month. We begin seeking award nominations in August and encourage individuals, employees or employers to nominate (see attached nomination form) any local business or organization they think is worthy. This annual award allows us to acknowledge their disability employment efforts and remind our community that there a many qualified, fully capable, reliable, hard working disabled employees in our workforce."

How can we learn more about the Mayor's Committee and/or Spring Fling?

"You can visit the Mayor's Committee website at http://mayorscommittee.org and/or attend our meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. on the 2nd floor of the Historic City Hall on 1229 Newcastle St., Downtown Brunswick, GA. Meetings are always open to the public. There is no monthly meeting in December."