Leesburg commission mobilizes volunteers, targets October/November for senior technology trainings

The Leesburg Technology and Communications Commission agreed to begin outreach to senior centers and assisted-living facilities to deliver technology and digital-safety trainings, aiming for an initial event in October with November as a fallback.

The commission set an internal deadline for members to review training materials by the 15th of the month and signaled volunteers who can lead sessions. Commissioners and staff discussed approaching private assisted-living complexes, the county-run senior center and two Leesburg facilities named during the meeting — Heritage Hall and Loudoun Nurses Rehab Center — noting that different sites may require different approaches because some residents do not have private internet access and staff may be the primary trainees at certain facilities.

Commissioners also discussed room reservations for community trainings and asked town staff to coordinate scheduling. The commission agreed to seek multiple delivery dates to match facility availability and to recruit additional volunteers from the town’s IT department to assist during sessions. Members asked that a group photo be taken after at least one session so visitors to the town’s technology and communications web pages can see who is offering the trainings.

The commission did not adopt a formal ordinance or allocate a new budget during the meeting; members described the plan as a public-outreach initiative to be executed by volunteers and staff coordination. The group said they hope the proclamation planned for next month will help kick off the initiative, but emphasized that an October start is a target rather than a firm deadline.

Practical details captured in the meeting include: an informal show-of-hands that produced three volunteers prepared to deliver training sessions if scheduling aligns; the plan to contact multiple facilities (the speaker suggested contacting five and following up with those that respond); and the decision to post a calendar hold for the proclamation and training dates. The commission also encouraged members who are less comfortable leading instruction to still attend sessions and help with hands-on assistance.

The commission scheduled its next meeting for Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. in the same room and noted that the November meeting will be conducted entirely virtually because of Election Day scheduling conflicts. No new funding sources or grant awards were specified during this discussion.