Cathedral Youth Tech Corps (CYTC)

The Technology Committee is sponsoring a Youth Tech Corps to utilize the talents of teens for the purpose of supporting a parish-wide effort to modernize communication and out-reach to our families and neighbors.

Because we are the cathedral of the Premier See of the USA, the Technology Committee wants our website to serve as a model of evangelization through online technlogies for the rest of the nation. Our YTC is part of that plan.

• Contact the Youth Tech Corps •

Overview
Consistent with the Technology Committee’s mission to develop, monitor and update a technology vision and strategy for the Cathedral, and consistent with the committee's guiding principles, the Youth Tech Corps (YTC) is being formed to complement, enhance and extend the goals of the parish through the use of technology.

Purpose and Benefits
The YTC, the first of its kind in the Baltimore Archdiocese, is a unique ministry that taps into the vast technical talents of our youth and links them with the full spectrum of parish ministries. Additionally, it offers growth opportunities that will prepare our youth for future success. YTC members will be offered the opportunity to:

• Engage with peers, parish ministries and higher-education institutions.
• Be mentored by members of a diverse resource pool offering many levels of expertise and personalized guidance.
• Obtain and grow technical skills, starting with Skill Proficiency and Interest Assessment.
• Contribute to their parish and community in a very direct, tangible and creative way.

Services Provided
The Technology Committee intends to phase-in the YTC to balance delivering immediate value in high-need areas with expanding services as the capabilities and interests of the YTC members evolve.

The services provided are categorized into three phases: Start-up, Growing and Steady-state.

1. Start-up Phase Services

• Help Desk Launch – Implement the infrastructure, process and tools necessary to support parish technology requests (refine as needed). See the Help Desk Troubleshooting Process Flow Chart.
• Ministry Scheduler Pro (MSP) Administration & Support
• Ad-hoc technical requests (Video / Photograph Events – create YouTube videos)
• Basic Ministry Technical Support (Email - How to post updates to the website? - Website technical FAQs)

2. Growing Phase Services

• All Phase I Services
• Ministry Work Orders (Website changes, technical advisors)
• Video/Photograph requested events on an ongoing basis
• Office Application Support (How to use….)
• Social networking opportunities such as Facebook, Twitter, etc.

3. Steady-State Phase Services

• Phase I & II Services
• BackOffice Application Support
• Audit / Risk Assessment Management

Team Organization and Implementation

The YTC will be working closely and in partnership with the College of Notre Dame. This partnership will not only ensure that the necessary technical expertise and guidance is available but also provide an educational component that will enrich the YTC member’s overall experience.

The YTC will be organized into teams, each one of which includes a full range of expertise and skill levels. This team structure will make it easier for the YTC team members to improve their technical skills in a comfortable setting.

Click here to see the model we're using (the link opens a new window), which describes the high-level implementation plan and is the framework for the YTC to build upon and modify. This model shows people and activities involved in launching the YTC. Additionally, it details the results of these activities and the short-term and long-term outcomes. This model will be reviewed and updated as the YTC expands its services.

Success Measures

The Technology Committee will work closely with the YTC to ensure the rollout’s success and the YTC’s continued growth. The Technology Committee will provide the necessary support, eliminate barriers, and advocate on behalf of the YTC. This ministry is one of the few that has the potential to impact all ministries, the Cathedral parish, and the Baltimore Archdiocese.

If successful, the Youth Tech Corp will prepare a 50 year-old Cathedral for its 21st century community and will become a model for the Baltimore Archdiocese.

The above information is also available as a downloadable PPT presentation.