<div dir="ltr"><div><b>So glad</b> to learn about the launch of the survey. I've just returned home after a more than month-long hospital stay, and am (very) glad to see the Coalition is still going. I have just applied for a job that could utilize the survey in outreaching to potential clients, so here's hoping I am selected. Are Coalition meeting notices posted here, in the digest, now? Happy Holidays, everyone. Stay safe.</div><div><br></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><div><b>Sincerely</b>,</div><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><div>Sherry Sherrill, Founder & President</div><div><b>Covington Associates Consulting </b>| <b>CAC </b>- <font size="1">An M/W/D/BE</font><br></div><div>1219 Main Street-Suite 303</div><div>Buffalo, New York 14209-2153</div></div><div>+1(716) 430-1158 | <b>Mobile</b> (<b>Personal</b>: Call or Text)</div><div>+1(716) 800-1394 | <b>24</b>-<b>Hr</b>. <b>Main Telephone Line</b> (<b>Business</b>: Call or Text)</div><div>CovingtonAssociatesConsulting@Gmail.Com | <b>Email </b>(<b>Business</b>)</div><div><br></div><div><div><b><u>IoT</u></b>:</div><div><div><b>Tw</b>: Covington_CAC<br></div><div><b>Ig</b>: CovingtonAssociatesConsulting</div><div><b>Fb</b>: CovingtonAssociatesConsulting</div></div><div><b>Web</b>: TheHeavensgateCompany.Com/CAC<br><br><b>Watch </b>"<b>In Our Own Words</b>"<b> Documentary Featuring Current and Former Humboldt Parkway Neighborhood Residents Talk About Their Reasons For Opposing the NY 33 Kensington Expressway Project</b>:</div><div>YouTube.Com/watch?v=D7oPkrO5Ic4</div><div><br></div><div><div><b>An Additional Point-of-Contact</b>:</div><div>Ms. Sherry E. Sherrill, Founder</div><div><div><b>East Side Collaborative Partnership</b></div><div><b>Fb</b>: EastSideCollaborativePartnership</div><div>ESCollaborativePartnership | <b>Email </b>(<b>Organization</b>)</div><div>+1(716) 247-5060 | <b>24</b>-<b>Hr</b>. <b>Main Telephone Line</b> (<b>Organization</b>: Call or Text)</div></div></div><div><br></div></div><div style="text-align:center"><font size="4">𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆</font></div><div style="text-align:center"><i>"A different kind of public relations company. Our client's name is <u>Community</u>."</i></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br></div><br><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Sat, 1 Nov 2025 at 12:00, <<a href="mailto:wny-digital-equity-list-request@wnydigitalequity.org">wny-digital-equity-list-request@wnydigitalequity.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">Send wny-digital-equity-list mailing list submissions to<br>
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<br>
Today's Topics:<br>
<br>
1. Survey Launch and Community Event (Don Matteson)<br>
2. Re: Survey Launch and Community Event (Heidi Ziemer)<br>
3. Your assistance needed: WNYDEC Regional Digital Literacy<br>
Survey (Don Matteson)<br>
<br>
<br>
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br>
<br>
Message: 1<br>
Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2025 15:14:10 -0400<br>
From: Don Matteson <<a href="mailto:dwm@thetowerfoundation.org" target="_blank">dwm@thetowerfoundation.org</a>><br>
To: <a href="mailto:wny-digital-equity-list@wnydigitalequity.org" target="_blank">wny-digital-equity-list@wnydigitalequity.org</a><br>
Subject: [wny-digital-equity-list] Survey Launch and Community Event<br>
Message-ID:<br>
<<a href="mailto:2A31AB28-0CDB-44FF-98DD-313704231B1D@thetowerfoundation.org" target="_blank">2A31AB28-0CDB-44FF-98DD-313704231B1D@thetowerfoundation.org</a>><br>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"; Format="flowed"<br>
<br>
Good afternoon, WNYDEC!<br>
<br>
I?m pleased to let you know that we?ve finalized the digital <br>
literacy survey, and it will be going into the field tomorrow morning <br>
(November 1) at a community event in East Buffalo.<br>
<br>
Tomorrow?s event is called East Side Forward: Full Charge Ahead, and <br>
will run from 10am to 2pm at Northland Workforce Training Center. Learn <br>
more here: <br>
<a href="https://www.buffalorising.com/2025/10/east-side-forward-full-charge-ahead/amp/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.buffalorising.com/2025/10/east-side-forward-full-charge-ahead/amp/</a>.<br>
<br>
I?ll be sending out an email later today asking for your help both <br>
fielding the survey with the people you serve and making connections to <br>
other organizations that can help share the survey in the community.<br>
<br>
Warm regards,<br>
<br>
Don<br>
<br>
<br>
Don Matteson - Chief Program Officer<br>
The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation<br>
2351 North Forest Road - Suite 106; Getzville, NY 14068<br>
(Voice) 716-689-0370 x207<br>
<a href="mailto:dwm@thetowerfoundation.org" target="_blank">dwm@thetowerfoundation.org</a><br>
Twitter: @towerdwm<br>
<a href="http://www.thetowerfoundation.org" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.thetowerfoundation.org</a><br>
<br>
Schedule a call or meeting with me at: <a href="https://calendly.com/donmatteson" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://calendly.com/donmatteson</a><br>
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Message: 2<br>
Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2025 15:33:06 -0400<br>
From: Heidi Ziemer <<a href="mailto:ddum60@gmail.com" target="_blank">ddum60@gmail.com</a>><br>
To: Don Matteson <<a href="mailto:dwm@thetowerfoundation.org" target="_blank">dwm@thetowerfoundation.org</a>><br>
Cc: <a href="mailto:wny-digital-equity-list@wnydigitalequity.org" target="_blank">wny-digital-equity-list@wnydigitalequity.org</a><br>
Subject: Re: [wny-digital-equity-list] Survey Launch and Community<br>
Event<br>
Message-ID:<br>
<<a href="mailto:CAN_Zin55XsztL-_oFbMV7Qr8a_rap9eGQs2s4HusvSW6QyRNrQ@mail.gmail.com" target="_blank">CAN_Zin55XsztL-_oFbMV7Qr8a_rap9eGQs2s4HusvSW6QyRNrQ@mail.gmail.com</a>><br>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"<br>
<br>
This is great news Don! Is anyone sending out a press release or is that<br>
not really necessary for this? If you like, I can let Mark Boyd know about<br>
this.<br>
<br>
Heidi<br>
<br>
On Fri, Oct 31, 2025 at 3:14?PM Don Matteson <<a href="mailto:dwm@thetowerfoundation.org" target="_blank">dwm@thetowerfoundation.org</a>><br>
wrote:<br>
<br>
> Good afternoon, WNYDEC!<br>
><br>
> I?m pleased to let you know that we?ve finalized the digital literacy<br>
> survey, and it will be going into the field tomorrow morning (November 1)<br>
> at a community event in East Buffalo.<br>
><br>
> Tomorrow?s event is called East Side Forward: Full Charge Ahead, and will<br>
> run from 10am to 2pm at Northland Workforce Training Center. Learn more<br>
> here:<br>
> <a href="https://www.buffalorising.com/2025/10/east-side-forward-full-charge-ahead/amp/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.buffalorising.com/2025/10/east-side-forward-full-charge-ahead/amp/</a><br>
> .<br>
><br>
> I?ll be sending out an email later today asking for your help both<br>
> fielding the survey with the people you serve and making connections to<br>
> other organizations that can help share the survey in the community.<br>
><br>
> Warm regards,<br>
><br>
> Don<br>
><br>
> Don Matteson - Chief Program Officer<br>
> The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation<br>
> 2351 North Forest Road - Suite 106; Getzville, NY 14068<br>
> (Voice) 716-689-0370 x207<br>
> <a href="mailto:dwm@thetowerfoundation.org" target="_blank">dwm@thetowerfoundation.org</a><br>
> Twitter: @towerdwm<br>
> <a href="http://www.thetowerfoundation.org" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.thetowerfoundation.org</a><br>
><br>
> Schedule a call or meeting with me at: <a href="https://calendly.com/donmatteson" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://calendly.com/donmatteson</a><br>
> --<br>
> wny-digital-equity-list mailing list<br>
> <a href="mailto:wny-digital-equity-list@wnydigitalequity.org" target="_blank">wny-digital-equity-list@wnydigitalequity.org</a><br>
><br>
> <a href="http://wnydigitalequity.org/mailman/listinfo/wny-digital-equity-list_wnydigitalequity.org" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://wnydigitalequity.org/mailman/listinfo/wny-digital-equity-list_wnydigitalequity.org</a><br>
><br>
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<br>
Message: 3<br>
Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2025 16:16:32 -0400<br>
From: Don Matteson <<a href="mailto:dwmatteson@wnydigitalequity.org" target="_blank">dwmatteson@wnydigitalequity.org</a>><br>
To: <a href="mailto:wny-digital-equity-list@wnydigitalequity.org" target="_blank">wny-digital-equity-list@wnydigitalequity.org</a><br>
Cc: Mark Glasgow <<a href="mailto:mark@clementinegoldgroup.com" target="_blank">mark@clementinegoldgroup.com</a>><br>
Subject: [wny-digital-equity-list] Your assistance needed: WNYDEC<br>
Regional Digital Literacy Survey<br>
Message-ID:<br>
<<a href="mailto:2D9EE3BA-553B-46A4-B326-D46E4B008CC3@wnydigitalequity.org" target="_blank">2D9EE3BA-553B-46A4-B326-D46E4B008CC3@wnydigitalequity.org</a>><br>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"; Format="flowed"<br>
<br>
Hi everyone ?<br>
<br>
<br>
Sorry to clog up your inbox today!<br>
<br>
As you likely know, we're moving forward with a regional digital <br>
literacy survey through Clementine Gold Group. The data collection <br>
period runs early November through mid-January, and we need your help <br>
making sure we reach respondents across all eight counties. The goal of <br>
the survey is to provide a community-level descriptive overview of the <br>
state of digital skills in Western New York -- information that's not <br>
currently available from any other source.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
### What we're asking from you<br>
<br>
First, if your organization can distribute paper surveys and maintain a <br>
secure drop box for completed responses, let us know. Clementine Gold <br>
Group will provide the surveys, boxes, and instructions. Respondents get <br>
entered into a drawing for one of three $200 Walmart gift cards (with <br>
drawings on November 20, December 12, and January 16).<br>
<br>
<br>
Second, we need you to make strategic introductions. Think about <br>
organizations in your network that serve our priority populations - <br>
people with disabilities, low-income residents, rural residents, <br>
seniors, veterans, non-native English speakers, formerly incarcerated <br>
individuals, and racial/ethnic minorities. I've linked to a [list of <br>
potential partners](<a href="https://wnydec.link/survey-partners" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://wnydec.link/survey-partners</a>), but you have <br>
the deep local knowledge about who has the relationships and reach we <br>
need to build a credible evidence base about digital skills in our <br>
communities. If you?re able to make the connection, please go ahead <br>
and copy me on the email.<br>
<br>
<br>
If you can ***connect Clementine Gold Group with two or three solid <br>
partners by November 14*** (sample template below), that gives us time <br>
to coordinate early in our data collection process. If you can name a <br>
potential partner but can?t broker the introduction, please add them <br>
to the list using [this form](<a href="https://wnydec.link/partner-form" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://wnydec.link/partner-form</a>).<br>
<br>
<br>
### What?s Next<br>
<br>
Mark Glasgow (<a href="mailto:mark@clementinegoldgroup.com" target="_blank">mark@clementinegoldgroup.com</a>; copied here) and his <br>
colleagues at Clementine Gold Group will handle logistics with you and <br>
any partners you introduce. As noted above, I?ve included an email <br>
template below that you can adapt for those introductions.<br>
<br>
<br>
Please let Mark know (and copy me) if your organization can distribute <br>
surveys directly, and which partners you're planning to reach out to.<br>
<br>
<br>
Warm regards,<br>
<br>
<br>
Don<br>
<br>
<br>
????<br>
<br>
E-Introduction Template:<br>
<br>
Subject: Introduction: Partnering on WNY Digital Literacy Survey<br>
<br>
Hi [Partner Name],<br>
<br>
<br>
I'm pleased to connect you with Mark Glasgow from Clementine Gold Group <br>
(CGG). CGG is conducting a regional digital literacy survey on behalf of <br>
the [Western New York Digital Equity <br>
Coalition](<a href="https://wnydigitalequity.org" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://wnydigitalequity.org</a>). I think your organization <br>
would be a strong partner in this effort, and we?d appreciate your <br>
help.<br>
<br>
<br>
The Coalition is surveying about 1,200 residents across Western New <br>
York?s eight counties to build the kind of community-level evidence <br>
about digital skills that we don't currently have. We're focusing <br>
particularly on populations most affected by digital exclusion: people <br>
with disabilities, low-income residents, rural residents, seniors, <br>
veterans, non-native English speakers, formerly incarcerated <br>
individuals, and racial/ethnic minorities.<br>
<br>
<br>
The results will strengthen our grant applications, give us more <br>
credibility when we advocate for resources, and help us design programs <br>
based on actual needs rather than assumptions. Given your work with <br>
[specific population(s)], you're well-positioned to help us reach people <br>
whose experiences should be part of this picture.<br>
<br>
<br>
The survey is mostly paper-based, voluntary, and completely anonymous. <br>
If you're interested, Clementine Gold Group will provide printed <br>
surveys, a secure drop box, and collection instructions. Respondents <br>
will be entered into a drawing for one of three $200 Walmart gift cards. <br>
Data collection runs early November through mid-January with gift card <br>
drawings on November 20, December 12, and January 16.<br>
<br>
<br>
I'm copying Mark (and Don Matteson, Facilitator for the WNY Digital <br>
Equity Coalition) here so you can connect directly. Mark, [Partner Name] <br>
works with [brief description] and has strong relationships in [relevant <br>
community/population] within [county name(s)] County(ies).<br>
<br>
<br>
Please let me know if you have questions.<br>
<br>
<br>
[Your name]<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
-- <br>
Don Matteson - Facilitator<br>
WNY Digital Equity Coalition<br>
<a href="mailto:dwmatteson@wnydigitalequity.org" target="_blank">dwmatteson@wnydigitalequity.org</a><br>
<a href="http://wnydigitalequity.org" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">wnydigitalequity.org</a><br>
@wnydigitaleqty<br>
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</blockquote></div>