...the Computer And Telecommunications Initiative of Rockland, Inc.a not-for-profit organization incorporated in the State of New York in April 1996
Mission Statement:
"The Computer and Telecommunications Initiative of Rockland, Inc. is organized under the laws of the State of New York to conduct a community service organization for charitable and educational purposes. It is dedicated to bringing the potential benefits of new information and communications technologies to all residents of Rockland County, New York, regardless of economic status or technical proficiency, and to every institution, organization and business, regardless of size, while avoiding duplication of effort and unnecessary costs."
History:
CATI, a 501(c)(3) not-for profit organization incorporated in April 1996, was first formed in September 1995 when Harriet Cornell invited 50 representatives of schools, colleges, businesses, social services, libraries, healthcare, government and parents to join her in creating a community coalition dedicated to bringing the benefits of computers and telecommunications to all.
Harriet Cornell, who is a Rockland County Legislator, has a long history of creating successful collaborative community initiatives in the areas of housing, child care, health care, violence prevention, and education. Ms. Cornell recognized that the information infrastructure, like electricity and roads, is a community-wide need that could enrich opportunities for education; improve access to health care, government information, business and social services; broaden arts and cultural exchange and enhance participation in public affairs.
The community representatives were unanimous in their interest in being part of CATI, a community service-oriented endeavor which would benefit all of Rockland County. CATI's purpose is to stimulate economic development, create jobs, reduce government costs, provide equal access, enhance education and advance our community into the 21st century.
Rockland County's initiative is significant in that it is one of a very few localities in the nation that is seeking to maximize the potential available through computer technology for the benefit of the entire community.
Organization
CATI is managed by a Board of Directors representative of the community:
Shelly Berger, member
Charles Butler, member
William Chase, Retired Rockland
County Commissioner of Planning & Transportation
Tish DuBow, member
Harriet Cornell,
President, CATI Board
Elaine Cunningham, member
Joanne Ginsburg,
Director, Kings Daughters Library
James V. Giordano, Interim Executive Vice President for Good Samaritan Hospital
Mary Hurler, member
Thom Kleiner, Supervisor,
Town of Orangetown
Dianne LaDucca, member
Michael Loewenberg, President, MESH Business Solutions, Inc.
Susan Margison, Attorney
Ram Nagubandi, member
Charles Perrella, President, Trexis Inc.
Magdalena Ramirez
, Chief
Executive Officer, Helen Hayes Hospital
Margery Rothenberg, Secretary of CATI
Robert E. Seaman, member
Maryann Small, VP, Business Development, Rockland
Economic Development Corporation
Marianne Smith, Assistant
Director, Rockland Teachers' Center Regional Training Center
John Spillner, member
Carol Lock Stewart, Administrator, Educator – Rockland County, BOCES
Ernie Torres, Director of Information Services, Jawonio, Inc. of New City
Mel Weisblatt, President, MicroAge Computer Outlet
Former Board of Directors:
Dale Chayes, Senior Staff Associate, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University
Claud Chin, Member, Technical Staff, Bell Atlantic Systems Integration Testing
Jan Degenshein, President,Leadership Rockland Alumni Association
Dick Gutwillig, Retired Journalist
JoAnne Oldenburger, Assistant Superintendent of Parks; Clarkstown Department of Parks and Recreation
Ray Roswell, Chair, English Department, Clarkstown South High School
Ron Zisman, Ricochet.org
