The Millennium Bug

In August 1998, all agencies funded by the Ministry of Education and Training received a letter designed to raise awareness about the Year 2000 computer challenge. The letter notes:

"The Year 2000 issues arise from the fact that many computers, computer software, and microprocessors use only the Iast two digits of a year to store dates and may therefore not be able to interpret dates after 1999. This could result in these systems failing to operate properly or, possibly ceasing to function at all after December 31, 1999."

Problem? What Problem?

Recently, a survey about the Canadian voluntary sector was conducted by Industry Canada about the Year 2000 computer problem. 326 voluntary organizations responded. Key results were:

• 96% were aware of the Year 2000 problem
• Only 23% of small voluntary organizations (less than 10 employees) had started addressing this problem

Voluntary organizations gave the following reasons for NOT acting on the Year 2000 problem:

• 55% - lack of knowledge about the issue
• 11% - issue will not affect them
• 44% - cannot afford the cost of developing a solution
• 58% - lack of time and resources to address the issue

This lack of action is similar to that of the small business sector. 91% of small businesses surveyed by Statistics Canada in October 1997 were aware of the millennium bug. However, only 6% had started to develop solutions.

What can your organization do?

With careful planning your organization can be Year 2000 ready. Suggestions from various sources say that organizations should take these actions:

• Educate yourself, other staff, the board of directors, volunteers, and other stakeholders in your organization about the Year 2000 computer problem.
• Appoint A Year 2000 project team Have some key people in your organization take clear responsibility for this issue.
• Conduct an inventory of your electronic equipment and systems. This could include: computers; fax machines; software (word processing, accounting, database, and other); hardware (printers, modems, scanners, etc.); telephone; electronic mail, etc.
• Assess the problem. Determine which of your electronic equipment and systems could be affected.
• Assess the cost. What needs to be fixed and how much? What needs to be replaced and how much? What are the financial and staffing costs involved? What are the priorities?
• Develop a Year 2000 plan.
• Allocate resources - including staff, board and financial resources.
• Fix or replace equipment and systems as necessary.
• Test the new or replaced equipment or systems.
• Develop a contingency plan.