Interview With BDPA Vice President Michael Wulf

BDPA Midwest Region vice president Michael Wulf shares the plans to re-establish the organization in Kansas City.

This Week in BDPA (June 14-20, 2015)

BDPA offers strong programs in 46 cities around the nation. Are you taking advantage of these programs? Here is a weekly preview of upcoming events gathered from the centralized BDPA calendar :

• Jun 14: Chicago - Workshop, 'Learn More About Virtualization, Linux, Security and Cisco'
• Jun 17: Cincinnati - Program Meeting, 'The Internet of Things'
• Jun 17: Philadelphia - Program Meeting, 'SEPTA Command Center Tour'
• Jun 17: Atlanta - Program Meeting, 'Racism in the Information Technology Industry'
•  Jun 18: Chicago - Membership Drive, 'Why BDPA in Chicago?'
• Jun 20: Midwest Region - Workshop, 'Regional HSCC & IT Showcase'

Please let us know of other BDPA events 

that we may have missed! 

You can always find BDPA programs, services or networking activity online at places such as:

• BDPA Facebook Group
• BDPA Foundation Facebook Page
• BDPA Foundation Twitter Account
• BDPA LinkedIn Network Group

BDPA supports your efforts for career advancement in the IT industry. Our hope is that you find reasons to provide tax-deductible support to our Causes, our HSCC Scholarship Funds or Your Causes! We encourage all BDPA leaders to take advantage of the centralized BDPA Groupsite Calendar to post your upcoming events.

Message from Midwest Region Vice President

Michael & Elizabeth Wulf

Greetings Midwest Presidents!

Many of you know my wife, Elizabeth, and I raised money by doing www.Ride4Charity.org. We created a unique way to raise awareness and enough money towards establishing a BDPA learning management platform that is dedicated to broadening the reach of BDPA tech education out to the kids in the community. Initially to impact our youth ... then adults, veterans and so forth. This promise to you was also part of my campaign speech as Regional VP so our collaborative need to make delivery of BDPA services in education easier for you as a chapter leader.

We (a lot of people) have been very successful in establishing a Moodle LMS hosting environmentl  Now we are implementing a 10 week (20 module) set of courses.  For example, HTML, CSS and JavaScript modules make up one course.

We have branded this effort "BDPA Academy". The new website name is http://BDPA.Academy

BDPA Academy is NOT THE HIGH SCHOOL COMPUTER COMPETITION (HSCC) in any way, shape or form. It is a set of courses that can be used as a feeder to HSCC over time by harvesting excited students interested in deepening their options, education, and career in programming. It is a great way to engage new learners and give them options in IT.

It is also intended to help chapters establish a consistent & sustainable SITES program without losing intellectual training property every time a volunteer turns over. It is also a way to provide membership value and add to the many BDPA opportunities to donate and join.

Here is our roll-out schedule:

• Spring 2015: we introduce Level 1-HTML/CSS/JavaScript.

• Fall 2015:  we build out a Level 2-JavaScript, algorithm, database - type course and release it for Spring 2016. Yet another HSCC prep course for you to leverage.

• Spring 2016: we offer a Level 3 set of language and application integration courses that you could use to identify your future participants for either the comprehensive SITES program or the more specific HSCC program.  Level 3 focus would be on C#, PhP and Java.

• Fall 2016: we will seek certification either from the IT industry or self-certification. The curriculum will leverage resources that provide certificates (such as W3Schools).  Chapters or students may initially select to subsidize these certificates but we hope current efforts by some chapters will help refine and deliver this collaboratively in time.

The beauty of BDPA Academy is we'll also expand offerings beyond just programming to facilitate other areas of IT ...  such as cyber security, infrastructure, hardware, OS, mobile tech, Google, office productivity and more.

This is your personal invitation to join the February 2015 launch.

What we need to deploy the BDPA Academy in your chapter is as simple as 1-2-3:

1. A physical location with 5-10 computers
2. A truly dependable and dedicated teacher with HTML/CSS experience *and* an assistant.
3. A willingness to "facilitate learning" of the curriculum and provide feedback along the way to BDPA Academy so we can refine and create a rock solid platform for national release in 2016.

If your SITES program is already solid then please keep up the awesome work! If you think there is value for your SITES program, this could be part of a two-year strategy to build a great program and feed HSCC team.

If your SITES program is solid ... but you struggle with a pipeline of students each year or have a willing volunteer teacher but no course structure then consider taking this out to a community center like a Boys & Girls club and use it to impact even more youth. This will deepen their membership passion and value as BDPA.

We hope to enroll 100 new students in the 2015 BDPA Academy.   We want to double that number to 1,000 in the 2016 BDPA Academy.

This invite is sent to Midwest presidents for the launch year. As your regional officers, it is extremely important Eric and I provide you with options and opportunities to grow and strengthen your chapter. Many of you as well as other leaders in BDPA have shared this vision. Eric and I are proud to be in our roles to see this through as your regional team.

Please contact me directly (michael.wulf@bdpa.org) if you have questions or wish to discuss further.  I'm very interested to know if you think this is of interest within your chapter!

Michael Wulf, vice president
BDPA Midwest Region
Twitter: @MichaelGWulf

Message from BDPA Midwest Region Officers

BDPA Midwest Region officers Michael Wulf (vice president) and Eric Dortch (director) provide a welcoming message for the guests at the 18th Annual BDPA Cincinnati Education Banquet held on October 4, 2014.



Even if you can't be with at the banquet in person ... you can still help by making a secure online donation in support of the chapter's Brandon Berry Memorial Scholarship Fund.

BDPA Regional VP Michael Wulf Rides Across the Country for Charity

Michael Wulf is a longtime BDPA member currently serving as vice president of our BDPA Midwest region. He received the President’s Volunteer Service Award in both 2012 and 2013, acknowledging his tireless work with the Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program hosted by our BDPA Twin Cities chapter.

Michael & Elizabeth Wulf

Michael found a new and unique way to raise money for the SITES program that is offered free-of-charge by BDPA volunteers. He and his wife Elizabeth plan to ride their motorcycles around the perimeter of the United States to raise needed funds to jump-start the creation of an academy that will run on a hosted online course management system. The 'Ride-4-Charity' fundraiser takes place from June 8-18, 2014. Michael and Elizabeth will ride over 7000 miles, across 26 states, during those 10 days.

Funds are being collected by the BDPA Education and Technology Foundation. Donations go directly towards the creation of an online course room that will be used for software, infrastructure and ongoing support. Online course rooms will be deployed across the United States taking free volunteer-led technical training out to communities and community centers where they can benefit most.

BDPA has the volunteer base and passion to serve future IT professionals and leaders. Their motto is 'from the Classroom to the Boardroom'. Volunteers will collaborate with students and guide them through training they normally would not get. This 'facilitated' style of training creates the confidence needed by students as they consider post-secondary education and careers in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM). BDPA and the Wulf family want kids in the United States to be the inventors, creators or innovators and not just consumers.

To find out more or support this cause, please check out www.Ride4Charity.org or Facebook: Ride4Charity.

Related articles

• BDPA iRadio Show - March 25, 2014

BDPA iRadio Show - March 25, 2014 (James Arama, LaDonna Crum, Michael Wulf)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) is very proud to be the creator of the BDPA iRadio Show. You can listen to the archive version of the show using the widget shown in the right-hand sidebar of this blog. FREE download from the iTunes Store is also available for our listeners!

Popular Technology Internet Radio with BDPA on BlogTalkRadio

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The guests on the March 25th show:

James Arama - software engineer, Funeral Innovations - Five years ago James was trained by BDPA Southern Minnesota chapter as part of its Student IT Education & Scholarship (SITES) program. He was chosen to be part of a 5-person team to compete in the 2009 national BDPA High School Computer Competition (HSCC) championship held in Raleigh, NC. His team won the HSCC championship that year!  James earned scholarships that helped him finance his college education at Marist College. He is now a software developer and entrepreneur working side-by-side with his HSCC coach, Zack Garbow, for a company called Funeral Innovations. James is the embodiment of the BDPA tagline, '...classroom to the boardroom'.  You can follow James on Twitter -- @thejamesarama

LaDonna Crum - chapter president, BDPA Greater Birmingham - LaDonna Crum is an applications support analyst. She took on another critical role last year as the president of our BDPA Greater Birmingham chapter and she has been lighting things up in Alabama with a fervent roar about the benefits of membership in BDPA. She is attracting new volunteers and funding ... and she is planning an aggressive schedule of programs and services for both students and IT professionals in Birmingham.  Her chapter is currently the 36th largest in the nation.

Michael Wulf - vice president, BDPA Midwest Region - Michael Wulf began his term as the BDPA Midwest Region vice president in January 2014. Michael provides leadership and guidance to 11 chapters located within his region. He hosted a regional conference in Columbus OH on March 21-22, 2014. Our BDPA iRadio show listeners will learn about Michael's accomplishments over the first 100 days of his administration as well as his vision for the future of BDPA on both a regional and national level.
Michael can be found on Twitter - @michaelgwulf

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We hope you enjoy the insights and commentary on the show from each of these guests. Please take a moment to post a comment to let us know that you care!

Related articles

• BDPA iRadio Show - March 11, 2014

Message from Incoming BDPA Midwest Region Vice-President

Michael Wulf

Last time I was in Reno, NV I bowled a 3-game series of #600 ("my best ever") ... this time its about what drives me: "Culture for Service, Service to Humanity" - now serving on the National BDPA board of directors.

This weekend marks my first ever meeting as a national officer representing the BDPA Midwest Region as Vice-President. I've had my reality checks and now I adjust and learn from my peers. I am truly honored to have been asked and selected to represent the fine work done by so many dedicated volunteers at BDPA. They work tirelessly to create networking and training opportunities for emerging and existing IT professionals.

In addition, a tradition of giving back by "raising up" youth in the community by offering incredible (free) application development training and more to middle & high school students that have an interest in making a career and bettering their odds at getting a six-figure income. Many kids trained by BDPA come out of high school ready to take on corporate application development roles in traditional and mobile platforms.

I thank God every day for allowing me enough strength to work, go to school, ride and volunteer. Everything I do must have a purpose, somehow, ... for some reason I am placed on this earth for a reason. Taking the Blessings others have given to me along my life and career and hopefully doing "good" for someone.

Regards,
Michael Wulf, VP-elect
BDPA Midwest Region

Take Five: Barbara Allen (BDPA Cleveland)

BDPA is transitioning its governance to include regional representatives.  Barbara Allen became the first-ever BDPA Midwest Regional Vice President when she won the election held last month at the national conference in Chicago.

Barbara moved to Cleveland in January 2007 after spending the previous 27 years in northern California. She served as an officer in the past for both BDPA Bay Area and BDPA Cleveland chapter. We asked Barbara to share her insights as part of our 'Take Five' interview series.

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1. How did you get involved with BDPA? - I worked as a software programmer analyst for Bank of America in California's East Bay when the BDPA Bay Area chapter was formed. I was invited to join.
2. What is your favorite part of working with BDPA? - My favorite part of working with BDPA is the experience of continued learning, and sharing in the students' successes.
3. What future evolution or change would you like to see in BDPA? - I would like to see more female students than we have now, and more support from corporations.
4. Why should someone pay $100 membership dues to join BDPA? - You will have an opportunity to improve or increase your skills not only in IT but in communication and soft skills. Networking with others is also a great bonus, and you can bring what you learn from BDPA back to the job and utilize it. If you are seeking a job in IT, BDPA can help there as well.
5. Any advice for people considering donation to BETF? - I would remind people that even a small donation counts!

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It should be interesting to see how the advent of regional governance in BDPA works out over the coming years. Our best wishes go with Barbara as she takes on this new leadership challenge!