The Society Of Friendly Technologists, Entrepreneurs, and Creatives
The simple truth is that no money means no mission. If you believe in and support our mission, this fundraiser is a way for you to contribute to it by making a small donation. Softec’s service region is the Hwy 101 corridor from Santa Ynez to Paso Robles with events in San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria.
We serve our members by creating Softec Moments, events that ignite conversations that connect people. Softec supports the TEC community as they travel on their entrepreneurial path, build their professional network, and create connections and friends in the technology professions. Softec proposes that every new connection in our community makes our community stronger.
Why Softec Moments Matter
- Moments Ignite Conversations.
- Conversations Create Connections.
- Connections Build Teams.
- Teams Evolve Into Businesses.
- Businesses Create Jobs.
- Jobs Create Wealth.
- Wealth Drives Quality of Life.
- Quality of Life is Why Our Families & Friends chose to live here.
Softec is a non-profit, community-owned organization with no paid staff. Our events are run by volunteers who donate their time to give back to the community that makes us all successful.
Softec’s total annual budget is approximately $40,000.
These are the major line items:
- Basic Operations $5,000
- Special Interest Groups $15,000
- Women in Tech Dinner Event (April 2025) $5,000
- Student Robotics Expo (September – October) $15,000
Line-Item Discussions
Basic operations are the expenses related to our overall operation and include items like software subscriptions (Zoom, Meetup, LinkedIn Professional for network building, Constant Contact for Email, Podcast Networking, iStock for graphic images, Adobe for promotional material creation, and others). This budget line includes sign printing, name tags, insurance, web hosting and registration, and other operational supplies and expenses.
Special Interest Groups (SIG) are small monthly events designed to build adult communities that share a specific interest. Examples of this include:
- Idea Lab (Brainstorming New Business and technology ideas)
- Biotechnology Innovation
- Business Leadership Roundtable
- Business Author Group
- Coder’s & Coffee
- Coder’s Shop Talk
- Python Programmers
- Cybersecurity
- Computer Vision
- Game Development
- Tech Reads (Podcast of thought-leading technology and business Authors)
- Fiction Authors Roundtable
- Sales Fixes Everything (Creating & Delivering Sales Presentations)
- CEO Roundtables
- And more to come!!!
Special interest groups are the heartbeat of the Softec community, nurturing personal and professional growth and relationships. Each group is a unique blend of passionate individuals dedicated to sharing knowledge, sparking innovation, and building lasting connections.
Whether diving into the latest coding techniques with Coder’s & Coffee, exploring the intricacies of cybersecurity, or engaging in thought-provoking discussions with Fiction Authors Roundtable, there is a space for everyone to thrive. Our groups, like Python Programmers and Game Development, are perfect for honing your technical skills, while Tech Reads and “Sales Fixes Everything” offer valuable insights and actionable strategies for business development. A great SIG is more like a campfire conversation than a seminar or training. It is a friendly peer group discussion where we learn from each other and share experiences and stories.
The Women in Tech Dinner Event is our annual event focusing on critical women’s issues in the technology industry. Balancing gender in the technology workforce has been a high-priority agenda item for Softec since our first Women in Technology Dinner in 2001. Gender balance creates a better workplace, economic growth, and a dynamic and innovative industry. Technology cannot compete globally, as we must, without engaging 50% of the population. This event is led by our Vice President of Women’s Issues who is also on the Softec Board of Directors. Softec believes this is a mission-critical issue; your donation today supports that.
The Student Robotics Expo is an annual event that serves as a bridge between student robotics teams and the technology industry, guiding young minds from school projects to career opportunities. Softec has been a steadfast supporter of these initiatives since its inception, beginning in 2004 with the mentorship and sponsorship of the newly formed Arroyo Grande High School’s Eagle Robotics Team 1388. This team is still going strong and is celebrating its 20th anniversary. From Zippy, the 2004 Robot Name, to today, Softec is proud of its role in the more than 20 teams we have supported. Softec has helped teams raise more than $80,000 through donations and various fundraising efforts and has connected many mentors to teams.
The 2019 Expo drew more than 800 members of the community and over 20 Student Teams. The Expo provides a platform for students to showcase their ingenuity and for industry professionals to scout promising future talent. The excitement and enthusiasm at the Expo were amazing, with game demonstrations, competitions, and workshops that highlighted the incredible capabilities of young engineers and trade professionals.
As we look ahead to 2025, Softec is thrilled to announce the revival and expansion of the Student Robotics Expo. The Expo celebrates the achievements of student robotics teams and underscores Softec’s dedication to nurturing the next generation of innovators. The Expo is a Softec investment in these talented young individuals, ensuring a continuous cycle of creativity and progress within our industry.