Watkins IT Supports Patterson Park Public Charter School with Network Revitalization

Patterson Park Public Charter School (PPPCS) is ready to launch Microsoft SharePoint, a powerful tool on their computer network that helps teachers, students, and parents share documents and information.  The milestone may not have been reached without the volunteer support of Matthew Rothman and the team at Watkins IT, who have been providing volunteer support and pro bono consulting to the school since March of this year.

At that time, school leaders were looking for a better way to keep people connected and help them communicate for the 2010 school year.  They faced an issue that many local schools and nonprofit organizations deal with every day-a technical need that they were unable to address from within.  Ironically, there are many skilled professionals willing to donate their time and expertise, but unaware of how to find opportunities to be of service.  Enter Business Volunteers Unlimited Maryland (BVU), a nonprofit that connects people and businesses with nonprofits and schools that need volunteer support.

Last March, BVU held a Volunteer Consulting Group luncheon, bringing together a group of local nonprofit organizations with Information Technology needs and a group of expert professionals interested in giving back using their specialized skills. Patrick Flood, a PPPCS staff member, met Matthew Rothman from Watkins IT, who volunteered to discuss the school's IT needs. Through the efforts of BVU, and in an example of a business doing well by doing good, employees from Watkins IT volunteered their time and expertise to continue a partnership beyond the initial luncheon.  BVU encouraged the continuing partnership and stayed in touch with the partners to provide additional assistance as needed.  Commenting on the initial meeting and ongoing relationship, Flood stated "We were so fortunate to have met Matt and the team from Watkins IT through BVU's event, and to have the opportunity to grow our relationship in the following months.  We are glad to have their support as we launch new technology to improve our students' overall educational experience here at Patterson Park Public Charter School."

Thanks to the assistance of Watkins IT, PPPCS now has a computer system that will allow teachers, students, and parents to take advantage of a document library for managing curriculum and other information with a more secure method for storing, editing, and tracking changes.  Using the same system, the school's board members will be able to easily exchange and discuss ideas focused on meeting the school's growth goals.  The story is an excellent example of the significant impact a group of business people can have as volunteers, filling a specialized need for a local organization.  In this case, Patterson Park Public Charter School's students will benefit for years to come thanks to the cutting edge technology that will be in use starting this fall.

About BVU

BVU inspires volunteerism by connecting motivated people and businesses with the nonprofits and communities that need them most. BVU serves as the primary resource for recruiting, developing and organizing volunteers in the Greater Baltimore area.

About Watkins IT

Based in Bethesda, Maryland, Watkins IT is a leading provider of Information Technology services and solutions to small and medium sized organizations in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Watkins IT is a Microsoft Gold Certified partner delivering Microsoft Solutions to more than 250 clients.  Positioned as an innovative industry leader in IT solutions, Watkins IT is fully committed to making every customer a customer for life.

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