Community Network for Appropriate Technologies
Overview
The Community Network for Appropriate Technologies was incorporated in 1978 as a federally recognized nonprofit, tax-exempt educational and charitable organization. Susan Keller, Executive Director and Principal Planner, founded the Community Network based on principles which she developed and employed in the Midwest while facilitating creation of a nationally prominent library council.
The general focus of our work is the development of cooperative working relationships within individual organizations, and across organizational and political boundaries. Our overall goal is the development of programs, services, and organizations that are socially, economically, and ecologically sound.
Together with clients, we work to structure change, helping existing organizations adapt and creating new organizations as necessary. We routinely explore a multititude of new possibilities, uncover and overcome barriers, and develop strategies for achieving desired goals and objectives. A partial listing of clients includes:
- North Coast Integrated Health
- Partnership HealthPlan of California
- Kasier Permanente Santa Rosa
- Sonoma County In Home Supportive Services Public Authority
- Senior Residential Care Council of Sonoma County
- Wisconsin Hospice Organization & Palliative Experts (HOPE)
- Sonoma County Conservation Council & Environmental Center
Board of Directors
Ortencia Angotti works for Primrose as Director of Resident Services and the Adult Day Club. Ortencia assisted with developing the 2004 Spanish language pilot training done for In Home Support Services, took that training and has been working with us since then to develop our Latino Caregiver Training Program Plan and related funding efforts.
Terry Popp, Ph.D., Co-Founder/Director, Conversations Project 2005/06. Writer. 27 year business career. Over 20 years local experience as editor, creative writing teacher/facilitator.
Kathy Rueve, Treasurer has a 30 year career as full charge bookkeeper/controller, fiction writer/playwright and is facilitator of the Oakmont Writers Group.
Don Taylor, President Owner, Omelette Express, 112 - 4th St. Santa Rosa, CA 95401; family owned since 1977 recently expanded to a second location in the Town Green Village, Windsor. Former Planning Commissioner, City of Santa Rosa. Honorary Citizen Number 17, Joi Jue, South Korea.
Nancy Unger, M.A. , Vice-President Journey Project Coordinating Council Chair; certified RCFE Administrator; formerly Director of Chancellor Place Windsor Brookdale Senior Living (70 bed Assisted Living Residence); formerly Site Development Director and RCFE Certified Administrator of Avalon at Brush Creek Assisted Living and Memory Care, Santa Rosa; formerly Executive Director of Tamalpais Creek, ARV Assisted Living, Novato (1998-1999). Member, Alzheimer’s Task Force of Sonoma County, Alzheimer’s Association of Sonoma County, California Assisted Living Association. Events Chair for Burbank Activity Center Expansion/Renovation Campaign, 1997/01.
Past-President: M.Gregg Steadman, M.D., F.A.C.S.,
Retired head-neck surgeon; Clinical Professor Emeritus, Head and Neck Surgery Dept., 1979-1989, Stanford University. Retired from volunteer work with Kaiser Out Patient Clinic and Kaiser Santa Rosa Bioethics Committee in 2007. Formerly volunteered with the Alliance Clinic in Healdsburg and Fort Bragg Community Clinic. Lifelong civil rights activist.
Executive Director
Susan Keller. M.A. Library and Information Science; M.A. Management. Executive Director/Principal Planner, Community Network for Appropriate Technologies, 1978 to present; Author, Journey to Life’s End: A Traveler’s Guide; Steering Committee Member, Sonoma Health Access Coalition; Member, CA Coalition for Compassionate Care; Member, CA POLST Task Force; Member, CA Council on Gerontology and Geriatrics; Chair, Sonoma County Conservation Council; Member, Bioethics Committee, Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center; Associate Member, National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.
Latino Caregiver Training Program Co-Directors
Ortencia Angotti (see bio above).
Teresa Fernandez has worked with Susan ongoing since 2002 helping to plan, develop, produce and expand Latino Caregiver Training efforts and assist with translation work as needed. Teresa is the Office Manager for Memorial Hospice responsible for special events including Day of the Dead celebration; formerly Administrative Assistant, Ca Human Development Corporation.
Website Consultant:
Bo Laurent Mathias Technology, Santa Rosa, CA, 585-2547.
Bo combines 25 years experience in software development with an equally impressive career working in the nonprofit sector. As a leader in a nationally prominent gay rights organization, Bo received numerous awards for her humanitarian work and recently was recognized by resolution of the CA State legislature. Bo is a partner with Mathias Consulting working with nonprofits to develop data-driven websites and on-line fundraising efforts. Bo built our website and provides ongoing oversight and consultation as needed to help adapt the site as our programs evolve.
What People are Saying About Us
The principles employed by Community Network revolutionized interinstitutional cooperation in the greater metropolitan Milwaukee region, and that sharing of resources has continued with vigor for nearly two decades. William C. Roselle, Former Director University of Pittsburgh Library System
In this complex society we need to shape change rather than have change shape us. Community Network has the talent and skill to assist us in analyzing the issues that come before us and assist us with resolutions that use our skills, enhance our education, and appreciate our values. Helen Rudee, Member (1976-88) Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
The Community Network has worked ably and creatively—as a catalyst and active focus—assisting our Council with efforts to encourage quality residential care and supportive services for low income elderly. Pat Eliot, Past President, Senior Residential Care Council of Sonoma County
As a business executive and community organizer, I have had the pleasure of working closely with Community Network. Their ability to effectively structure and manage change, create new directions, and build consensus withing the strategic planning process is most impressive and of value to all types of organizations public and private. Drake Sadler, President, Traditional Medicinals, Inc.
Awards
CA Senate Resolution authored by all elected Assembly and Senate members acknowledging consumer advocacy and planning accomplishments of Susan Keller (2001)
Sonoma County Community Foundation Shining Star Award for creation of Journey Project and _Journey to Life’s End: A Traveler’s Guide (1997)
Distinguished Service Award from the Sonoma County Council for Community Services (1994)
Award for Energy Innovation, U.S. Department of Energy, Secretary of Energy (1986)
Award for Energy Innovation, State of California, George Deukmejian, Governor (1986)
Fees
Community Network’s fees for services are negotiable and assessed on a sliding scale depending on client need and ability to pay. Pro bono work is done as time and resources allow. Fees generated from professional contracts help sustain Network services.
Contact Us
Community Network for Appropriate Technologies
PO Box 2331
Santa Rosa CA 95405
Telephone: (707) 539-2364
