January 2008 Issue
Director Honoured For Putting
Computers In Classrooms
Helping youths get the access they need to computers has earned an APEGGA director a national honour. Ross Plecash, P.Eng., Director, Corporate Affairs & Investigations, is one of nine volunteers from across Canada honoured by Computers for Schools.
Mr. Plecash and the others were honoured for “dedicated support to the program’s efforts to help young people learn and use the computer skills essential for success in today’s connected world,” says a CFS news release.
Mr. Plecash has chaired Alberta Computers for Schools’ Board of Directors since October 2004. “He has been outstanding in his leadership,” says the release. “He is particularly effective in meetings with government representatives, and he is also recognized as a masterful chair.”
APEGGA is a longtime supporter of CFS, which was co-founded in 1993 by Industry Canada and the volunteer TelecomPioneers. The organization refurbishes computers and related equipment donated by governments and businesses. These computers are distributed across Canada to schools, libraries and registered not-for-profit learning organizations.
Over 800,000 computers have been given out by CFS — enough to meet one-quarter
of the needs of Canadian schools and help out 10,000 non-profits each year. CFS
extends the useful life of donated computers by up to 100 per cent, diverting
tons of hazardous electronic waste from landfills.
CFS has been recognized by the United Nations, and Canadian experts have helped
many developing nations to establish their own CFS programs.