About the club
MISSION STATEMENT
The Kitchener Tech Club is dedicated to providing opportunities for older adults to learn, share, and thrive in their use of technology.
CLUB VALUES
The Kitchener Tech Club actively promotes opportunities for participation, leadership, and contribution, valuing the variety of skill levels our members bring.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where people of all genders feel welcomed, valued, and respected. We recognize and celebrate the diversity of our members and strive to create a space free from discrimination, harassment, or bias.
We promote awareness, and challenge stereotypes about older adults' abilities with technology, fostering a culture that values experience, wisdom, and diverse perspectives, regardless of age.
CLUB EXECUTIVE - 2024 25
Susan Watt - Chair
Ron Baer - Past Chair
Helene Doerfler - Treasurer
Inge Ford - Speaker Meetings
Lew Ford - Share & Learn
Ian Kent - Membership / Communications
Guenter Gamauf - Website
Jim Reeves - Drop In, Facebook
Sandy Hrubik - City of Kitchener Representative
Our secretary position is currently open. Please contact us if you would be interested in joining our team.
A LITTLE HISTORY ...
The original name of the club was the Bits and Bytes Club. It was formed in 1989 by a group of retired tech workers, as a way for them to stay connected, discuss current tech issues and continue learning. The members also offered tech trouble shooting advice to community members, and gained a reputation for their invaluable community support.
Over the years, the club grew and adapted to keep up with the fast pace and changing world of technology. In the beginning, discussions centred around desk top computers - operating systems, storage, software, file management, and other related topics. As the tech world introduced us to mobile devices like smartphones, tablets and smart watches in the mid 2000's, discussions began to shift to include wifi access, apps, social media, digital citizenship, how to stay safe online, and many other new and emerging issues. The membership demographics began to shift as well to include more younger retirees, and more women.
The name 'Bits and Bytes' has been a proud part of the club's identity, symbolizing the fundamental building blocks of technology - bits and bytes - that power the digital world. These concepts have laid the foundation for countless innovations, and their legacy continues to influence how we interact with technology today. We honour the rich history that has brought us here. As we look to the future and embrace the broader scope of our evolving interests and activities, we feel it's time to adopt a name that more accurately reflects our role in the community today.Â
The name - Kitchener Tech Club - was adopted in the fall of 2024. It is a name that is current, inclusive, and clearly represents who we are and who we represent.
For more information, or to join our club, email: kitchenertechclub@gmail.com
How many of these do you recognize, or remember using?
Thanks to KCI staff for curating this fascinating historic display.