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David Deal, President/CEO, Mark Bent, President/CEO,
Community IT Innovators (CITI) Sunnight Solar
 
James Lanning, Acquisitions & Panel discussion with Dr Samuel
Logistics Director, International Relief Hancock
& Development
Program Summary:
On October 29, 1969 the Internet was born when Leonard Kleinrock, a University of California Los Angeles college engineering professor, and his team sent one word massage “login” to a computer at Stanford Research Institute, through a system called ARPANET. This humble beginning has grown to connecting some 16 million people in 1985, with 513 million people were online in 2001 after the web browsers were introduced, and now over 1.7 billion people are connected to the Internet and these numbers are growing daily. Just in the third quarter [3Q] of the 2009 global economic downturn only five [5] of the most recognized Internet based companies of Google; YAHOO!; eBay; Amazon.com; and Microsoft earned combined earnings of US$28.94 billion, which if extrapolated for 2009, exceeds the Gross National Product (GNP) of 50 nations in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and the Caribbean.
The Internet, recognized as the economic engine triggering the global information age, has charged life for every human being on the global whether connected or not. The Internet linking personal and laptop computers, created the miniaturized processors along with high speed data/voice/media transfers which are linked by cell telephones through emails, blogs, social networking sites including Twitter, YouTube, FaceBook, and many other features not even conceived 20 years ago.
The international special guests will attest to the importance and necessity of the Internet for their global operations that serve millions of those at need. The topic covers how "green" Information Technology (IT) has revolutionized all aspects of life and development using the Internet for design, development, manufacturing, sales, and promotions during the 40th Anniversary of the Internet. The Internet has allowed non-profits such as our guests to work in emerging market economies so these under performing areas can join the world in creating jobs and expand the reach of the new 'green' IT world.
Community IT Innovators (CITI) was founded to provide high quality, personal technology consulting to social mission non-profits. CITI was spun off from its parent company by its founder and CEO David Deal. CITI leadership and employees have a strong commitment to serving people and the community and being a sustainable business. It has served over 900 organizations since 1993 and enjoy helping organizations make a positive difference in the Washington, D.C. Region and world.
Community IT Innovators (CITI) is an employee-owned company committed to helping social mission non-profits and associations build organizational capacity by building technological capacity. Whether implementing a database, website, or online strategy, analyzing information processes, or keeping a network humming, CITI builds trusting partnerships with organizations to maximize the value of their technology investments. As a triple bottom line business, CITI strives to have a positive community impact and a minimal environmental impact, and be a great place to work.
CITI's services include, but are not limited to:
* Network and computer planning and support
* Network audit
* Strategic technology consulting and planning
* Salesforce consulting and implementation
* Software selection (donor/fundraising, AMS, CRM, and more)
* Outsourced CIO/CTO
Mark Bent, the CEO and President of Sunnight Solor (Lighting) was created to meet the needs of some two [2] billion people living in the developing world who rely on kerosene lanterns, candles, and single-use battery flashlights for light at night. Not only are these options expensive, dangerous, and harmful to the environment, these also negatively impact health, education, and security. For literacy and education the Sunnight Solor "BoGoLight" provides an opportunity for children to read at night and extend school hours. This is especially important in developing countries where most children spend all day tending crops, taking care of livestock, or working in cottage industries. Kerosene is increasingly expensive, especially given the recent rise in the price of petrochemicals, so many families cannot afford it. Flashlights are even more expensive. Candles do not provide adequate lighting to read. As a result, many children will never learn to read and will be trapped in a life of poverty. The BoGoLights constantly rechargeable by a built-in solar collection strip gives them a chance at a better life, thus education is one of the strongest pillars in the Sunnight Solor vision to light the world.
The BoGo Light is a scientific, eco-friendly breakthrough that is making an impact worldwide. From Cairo to Cape Town, from the Caribbean to the Amazon, it is improving the lives of individuals, families, and entire villages by replacing costly kerosene, candles, and disposable battery flashlights with an affordable, long lasting, solar flashlight. BoGo means Buy one, Give one. President Bent is focused upon his company's solar lights to benefit the less fortunate; therefore, with each light purchased in the developed world, a second identical light is donated to an organization that will distribute it in the developing world with its direct financial support. Says Mark Dent, "Give the Gift of Light, and Help Us Change the World!"
A study conducted by the joint United Nations Development Program and World Bank Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) found that rural households are spending as much as US$10 per month on lighting from candles, kerosene, and/or dry cell batteries. In some cases, this is up to thirty percent of a developing world family’s income. Mr. Dent asserts that the BoGoLight can be an engine for change. Giving needy families free lights allows them to redirect their limited resources into other areas besides lighting such as education, health care, better clothing and footwear, dental services, Internet connections, among other basic family-care needs. Imagine the profound changes this could bring about! And the best part is that light empowers the targeted individuals and families without creating dependency.
The donated lights are distributed to needy individuals and families by organizations that are established and working in the developing world. These organizations include Feed The Children, Samaritan's Purse, UNHCR, International Relief & Development, Invisible Children, as well as many other international assistance groups. The Sunnight Solar BoGoLights have also been bulk purchased by multinational corporations such as ExxonMobil and Perenco, as part of their community assistance programs.
Led by James Lanning, Acquisitions & Logistics Director, International Relief & Development has extensive experience implementing and managing in-kind commodity distribution programs world-wide. Mr. Lanning and his Staff work with a large network of multinational companies and private voluntary organizations, while undertaking full supply chain management from tracking and monitoring the acquisition through shipment and delivery. IRD works in collaboration with a wide range of organizations—including U.S. and foreign government agencies, bilateral and international donor organizations, international finance organizations, faith-based organizations, advocacy groups, international and local NGOs, corporations, and members of the United States Congress—to implement targeted, cost-effective relief and development programs.
Founded in 1998, International Relief & Development (IRD) is a charitable, non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to improving lives and building livelihoods among people in the most economically deprived parts of the world. IRD’s mission is to reduce the suffering of the world’s most vulnerable groups and provide the tools and resources needed to increase their self-sufficiency. IRD provides over $500 million annually in humanitarian assistance to nearly 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Mr. Lanning works tirelessly within the United States Government with such donors as United States Agency for International Development, Department of State, and the Department of Agriculture. IRD also receives grants from international organizations including the United Nations Children’s Fund and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. IRD receives up to US$50 million annually in commodities, pharmaceuticals and other medical supplies, which are distributed to needy communities throughout the world. There are over 100 major organizations that make in-kind contributions yearly.
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