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Role of Offices

Role of WCE Offices

WCE MISSION:

To act as a partner and ally in bridging the global digital divide for youth, promoting cultural understanding between students in industrialised and the least developed countries, and facilitating the use of technology and experiential education in education reform.

WCE SERVICES:

  • Consulting in information technology, planning, and sustainability to strengthen local partner organisations
  • Computers donated by companies and individuals in industrialised countries delivered at the lowest cost
  • Cultural Exchanges between schools in developing countries and community service programmes in high schools and universities in industrialised countries

WCE BUSINESS MODEL:

WCE seeks to continually improve so that it can more rapidly grow to scale at the lowest possible cost. WCE does this by (1) working through lead partners in developing countries with sustainable implementation plans, (2) opening "outpost" offices in cities in industrialised countries to leverage the donated resources of businesses, strategic allies, adult volunteers, and students in community service programs, and (3) building a reputation among donors for providing working donated equipment at the lowest cost ($45 plus shipping per basic computer set). WCE is a nonprofit organisation that strives to operate in ways that strengthen civil society, are respectful and transparent, and experiment with being as "virtual" as possible through www.WorldComputerExchange.org.

ADMINISTRATION:

(following will be posted on website except individual contracts and lists of potential donors)

  • WCE Board of Directors (Board) approves changes in Regional Office Summary, staff contract, and Certificate
  • WCE Annual Meeting of Members adapts WCE by-laws as needed to open Regional Offices in other countries
  • Board approves Regional Steering Committee, annual budget & workplan, and president signs translated certificate
  • Regional Steering Committee, Regional Director, and president mutually agree on Steering Committee chair
  • Board or Members may elect chair of Regional Steering Committee to WCE International Advisory Committee
  • WCE president appoints, negotiates contract with, signs contract, and manages Regional Directors
  • Regional Directors send monthly report form to WCE president who summarizes for Board
  • WCE president applies for VAT Registration Number and bank account where Regional Offices are approved
  • WCE Board pre-approves contracts related to any Region and president signs
  • WCE president pre-approves expenditures and lists of potential donors for Regional Offices
  • WCE president pre-approves press releases and fund raising proposals (including 20% for WCE administration)

IN-KIND:

(WCE Regional Directors would help the president seek donations of the following)

  • Computer and networking equipment for schools / learning centres
  • Office space and warehouse to temporarily store the donated computers prior to overseas shipping
  • Learning software for the young and software licenses for schools / learning centres
  • Reduced rate for Internet services for schools / learning centres
  • Land transport to bring computers to WCE and overseas shipping to partners
  • Public relations services including development of public service ads and promoting WCE website
  • International conference call services for WCE
  • Annual financial audit of WCE by independent CPA

VOLUNTEERS:

(WCE Regional Directors would help the president seek adults and students to provide the following)

  • Consulting in informational technology, planning, and sustainability with individual partner organisation
  • Solicitation from companies and individuals of donations of computer and network equipment
  • Recruitment of schools in industrialised countries to be sister-schools to those in developing countries
  • Translation of website, partner documents, and correspondence with partner organisations
  • Public relations assistance in website promotion, press release development, and public service ads
  • Loading of donated software into computers and helping to pack and load equipment into a container
  • Host fund raising events, research potential donors, help with raising funds