You can find the following information here:

• What is the Master Internet Volunteer^SM Program?
  
• How the Master Internet Volunteer^SM Program began
  
• Program Planning Guide

What is the Master Internet Volunteer^SM Program?

The Master Internet Volunteer^SM Program is an educational program designed to train volunteers to help other people in their communities with the Internet. The program was created by the University of Minnesota Extension Service as a way to educate community volunteers in the concepts and applications of the Internet. These community volunteers are then able to more effectively assist others with applications of the Internet.

The University of Minnesota Extension Service provides this training in exchange for volunteer time. Master Internet Volunteers^SM work with University of Minnesota Extension Service county offices and directly with community organizations to help others learn and make effective use of the Internet. Many organizations benefit from Master Internet Volunteers^SM activities.

In return for specialized training, Master Internet Volunteers^SM are asked to volunteer time in their community. Examples of volunteer activities include:

• Staffing public access Internet computers at University of Minnesota Extension Service offices, libraries and other locations.
• Developing web pages for community organizations.
• Giving demonstrations for the public.
• Writing articles for local newspapers.
• Teaching community education classes.
• Working with youth, seniors, or special interest groups to help them use the Internet.

How the Master Internet Volunteer^SM Program began

Extension Educators from Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs and Pine counties proposed the program and received funding in 1997 from a University of Minnesota Extension Service Directors Creative Grant (via the InfoTech Team) to develop a pilot program. A project team of county staff, state staff, and community volunteers designed and delivered the program in the Minnesota communities of Cambridge and Mora in the Fall of 1997. The progam is modeled after the Internet Master Program at the University of Missouri. Members of the pilot project team are:

County Staff: Jean Anderson (Isanti), Julie DeNio (Chisago), Steve Drazkowski (Wabasha, formerly Pine), Rodney Elmstrand (Chisago), Donna Martin (Pine), Terry Salmela (Kanabec).

State Staff: Dorene Davick, Lise Hansen, Karen Matthes, Rae Montgomery.

Community Volunteers from Isanti County: Paul Edstrom and Mert Jensen.