Our club was formed in 1987 and has grown to 450 members to date.

 

THE FORMATION YEARS...

In the beginning the club had evolved from a few interested people in 1987 under the first president--Terry Marsh. Prior to 1990 the membership was only around 20-40 dedicated founding members.

Other presidents were Terry Brown, Irv sherlock, Henry Siesel, Jim O'Grady, Don Raun and Dick Travis.

Some of the dedicated members over the years were Rex Christenson, Patti Kopcho, Nan Gholson, Bob Weber, Jim Mahlmeister, Mary Kautz, Joe Weiner, Ralph Dials and Sid Price.

 

THE EARLY 90's...

Terry Brown was President during the early 1990'sand he helped to increase the membership as the awareness of home computers was taking off exponentially.  Seniors were not about to be left behind...as a matter of fact many seniors had the time to devote to using computers to do many tasks that heretofore were considered impossible.

Membership continued to grow to over 100 people during this time.

 

THE LATE 90's...

Irv Sherlock and Henry Siesel led the club in the late 90's. This period saw the computer club really come together with many people including Terry Brown, Rex Christenson, Patti Kopcho, Ralph Dials and many others contributing to the continued growth of the activities of the club.

The advent of the Internet and Email spurred many people to become interested in Computers during this 5 year period. Membership increased significantly to around 250 members.

 

THE 21st CENTURY...

Beginning in 2000 with Jim O'Grady as President, the club was attracting over 300 members and in 2001 we acquired our Computer Projector and desktops and laptops for our training, educational and entertainment needs...

Don Raun was the President from 2001 through 2006 as the club continued to grow to over 400 members. Patti Kopcho is our oldest member, serving as Treasurer and Newsletter editor for over 10 years. Dorothy Miller has served on the Board and has been instrumental in training for our club.

The level of training has increased significantly over the years as has the sophistication of computers and the revolution in digital cameras and digital video as well.

 

THE LATE 00'S ...

Dick Travis was President from 2007 thru 2011 as the club continued to grow to 450 members. Dick was the club's webmaster from 1998 thru 2011 and was also involved in training on the Internet.

 

Jim Mahlmeister and Mary Kautz led the Apple computer afficionados as an integral part of our club.

Plans were put in place to move into a new expanded computer room. These plans were realized in early 2010. With the assistance of the Homeowners Association, the club began life in it's new home with 7 new HP computers, 7 new Macintosh/Windows computers, and 2 42" overhead monitors for teaching demonstrations.

 

THE TEEN YEARS...

Jim Kaminsky became President and WebMaster of the Computer Club in 2012. Inheriting the well-oiled infrastructure and operations put in place by Dick Travis and his predecessors, the challenge ahead is to make the club even more responsive to the needs of its members and all Ocean Hills Country Club residents. Automating the Teacher and Helper sign-up process, providing professional instructors, and utilizing YouTube for instruction are areas under review for implementation.

 

2015 - 2016

Mike Thornton was elected President in 2015.  Throughout 2015 and 2016 the Board of Directors continually discussed the mission of the Computer Club.  The club had grown to over 450 households, yet only the Board of Directors and a handful of volunteers were active in providing services to club members.  The need to provide "social activities" for club members was overwhelming what was seen as the true purpose of the club: to promote and educate Ocean Hills residents on the use of computer equipment.  At the end of 2016, when no residents stepped forward to lead the Computer Club in it's current manifestation, the Board of Directors retired the Ocean Hills Computer Club and formed the Technical Advisory Group, or TAG.  TAG is not a club but a service organization.  It is composed only of computer enthusiasts that actively participate in spreading computer use to all Ocean Hills Country Club residents.  No meetings.  No cookies.  No dues.  Just help and teach.