As the Valley expands and becomes techno savvy, community members and
business owners continue to seek ways to enrich their lives by keeping up with
the latest technology joneses;
joneses, which Deborah A. Dawicki and a small
group of Valley locals, have recognized and utilized as a resource in starting
and maintaining the non-profit Santa Ynez Tech Club.
“I was new to the Valley and
wanted to meet people,” Dawicki said. “And I had already started
the Regional Women in Technology Club based in
With over two decades of experience in
the technology field, Dawicki, who now works as a database administrator for
Medtronic Neurosurgery in
“We’re not a huge
organization and were always trying to grow ourselves strong,” Dawicki
said.
It’s meant to be an outlet where
people can come and network, exchange information and contacts and develop new
ideas, Dawicki said.
The club serves as a networking hub
and community outreach.
Its goal is to “actively
champion business men and women within the Santa Ynez Valley community, and to
facilitate beneficial professional and personal relationships, in an
environment of camaraderie,” reads a flyer handed out at its semi-annual
“Remote Sensor” Tech Club Mixer May 15.
The club works closely with local
schools, senior centers, and individuals on an as needed basis to provide
technological support to people of all ages and gender. Whether it is teaching
a senior how to use the internet, showing someone how to hook up a computer or
giving educational lectures to students about the opportunities in the IT
field, one thing’s for sure; the SYV Tech Club is reaching out.
“I want to especially be
supportive to girls who may have an interest in technology,” Dawicki
said. “Because I feel they might not get enough encouragement in learning
about technology.”
Though the club has a revolving door
of members, one of the first and still standing members, Chris Chirgwin said there are anywhere from five to 10 members
who show up regularly to the meetings.
Chirgwin became a member after reading an
article in a local newspaper about Dawicki’s
idea.
“I was excited [about the idea]
and thought it was something the Valley did not have and would be
beneficial,” Chirgwin said. “I thought it
would be good for people interested in technology in the Valley to meet on a
regular basis.”
“Deb brings prior experience in
leading other groups which is beneficial for the Tech Club,” Chirgwin added. “She has some good ideas, a lot of
excitement and is organized and that’s what a group like ours needs in a
leader.”
Community members and business owners
are also showing enthusiasm and interest in the small and still growing group.
“[The club] is a great
idea,” Mary Gerlach, community member and
entrepreneur said. “Sometimes when you’re working on a project you
need feedback. So it’s great to come together and get information from
others in the field.”
Elizabeth Breen, the owner of Breen
Automation Systems, said she thought it was interesting to see who else was in
the technology field in the Valley.
The club meets at 6 p.m. every third
Tuesday of every month at the Meadows restaurant in Solvang. Though the
meetings are open to the community people can become members for just $20.
Dawicki has one statement of
encouragement to kids and people in the tech field.
“Hang in there. Never give
up,” she said. “Even if you feel discouraged, never ever give up.”