The City of Lenexa Paperless Packet Project Report

The Learning Curve
Throughout this process, staff met with Governing Body members, in groups and individually, to train them on computer usage and using the various software packages.

When the laptops were given to the Governing Body, a training session was conducted in the Council Chambers instructing them on the fundamentals of how to hook up the laptop to the dais, access the electronic packet, getting around within the packet, and how to access the e-mail and calendar program. A trainer/consultant was brought in to teach them the Windows environment and other software usage.

When Office97 software was purchased in the fall of 1997, Word 7.0 included additional features that took us even further towards the Governing Body member's desire to produce an electronic packet that functions like a paper packet. With the enhancements made in the electronic packet, additional training was required. In December, 1997 a training session was conducted by City staff covering downloading of the packet document and retrieving the packet on the hard drive, and on the functions and usage of the newly enhanced electronic packet document.

Additional training was recently given when the City migrated to Outlook 2000 calendar and e-mail program. This training was conducted in July 2000 for all City employees, including the Governing Body members. Training in Windows 2000 and Office 2000 was simultaneously provided.