Developing strong new partnerships is one of the key positives coming from the recent changes in how the Technology Learning Center (TLC) is operating in Fountain Hills.

TLC is an all-volunteer operation working to assist individuals, particularly the elderly, in learning to use the latest technology devices. With dedicated space in the Community Center, TLC was able to offer classes when most convenient, as well as secure equipment on site.

Pressed for space to meet the needs of burgeoning activities at the Community Center, town staff and the Community Services Advisory Commission asked the TLC to forego its dedicated space at the center and revamp its programs to be consistent with other activities and programs using the town facility.

On Wednesday mornings between 9 and 11, a visitor may find a dozen or more people gathered around tables with volunteers looking over their shoulder explaining the ins and outs of a laptop, tablet or smart phone.

This is Time 4 U, a free and open session where people can bring in a problem and someone will help them through it.

TLC Coordinator Ralph Craner notes that this is the most successful of the programs offered. They partner with the Senior Activity Center and it is working very well for them, according to Craner.

During the summer months the Time 4-U period will be extended from 11 a.m. to noon to allow for extra time for informal questions and instruction. This time will be called Text, Tips and Tricks.

There is also a partnership with Verizon and its store in the Bashas’ shopping center. Verizon sends a representative to the session who answers questions and helps people solve problems with their phone. It obviously has advantages for sales.

“This has been a very good relationship with Verizon,” Craner said.

TLC schedules about five classes each week, and the experience is virtually no different for students taking the class, according to Craner.

One issue they have found is that without a dedicated room to secure equipment, there is a setup time of about 30 minutes for each class. There are six laptops to get out and operating before it is time for the students to arrive.

Craner said he believes this setup is one reason he is losing volunteer instructors.

The number of classes has been reduced, not only due to a lack of volunteers but also because they need to be cautions in scheduling. They need to offer sessions that there is an interest in, or lose money if too few sign up.

They have discovered that between scheduling and publicizing classes they have no cushion of time that will allow them to cancel a class if not enough people sign up.

“We barely break even,” Craner said.

“We try to put some money away to allow for updating equipment.”

Kathy Mullin, who coordinates and develops many of the programs for TLC, said they are learning and find they need to treat the program more like a business than they had previously.

“We are dealing with the challenges and getting better at it,” Mullin said.

“We are learning the things that will work.”

Their focus has become somewhat narrower with classes.

“We are unwilling to risk having a class we can’t fill,” Mullin said.

Efficiency has become more important also, so Craner and Mullin have learned to use the Cloud for record keeping and storage.

Senior Services Supervisor, Kelly Fonville, said the change has allowed Senior Services to expand programs, as well as provide space for new youth programs.

She said Community Center Manager Mike Fenzel has also been able to schedule rentals in the space once exclusive to TLC.

Fonville is also happy to have Mullin available to present technical programing such as talking about password protection and use of the Cloud. About four such informational presentations per year will be scheduled.