Introduction
Each autumn, the NCF Board of Directors discusses strategy for the upcoming year. In December 2001, NCF’s board defined NCF’s focus for 2002. Defining a focus is helpful as a foundation for budget planning, guiding staff and supporters who work with NCF, and acting as a reference point for decision-making. By declaring this focus for NCF in 2002, NCF’s Board tells others what NCF wishes to achieve in 2002.
The annual statement of focus is one of the major ways the Board meets its responsibility to communicate with members and supporters. This motion is part of fulfilling the board roles described in the YMCA/United Way Board Development material (‘go board’, menu item 1) as “Promotes the organization in the community” and “Interprets the community to the organization”.
The context for NCF’s focus for 2002 includes NCF’s mission statement and traditions, and current wishes of members (who are NCF’s owners) and potential members.
NCF’s mission statement
The National Capital FreeNet is a free, computer-based information sharing network. It links the people and organizations of this region, provides useful information, and enables an open exchange of ideas with the world. Community involvement makes FreeNet an important and accessible meeting place, and prepares people for full participation in a rapidly changing communications environment.
Current wishes of NCF’s member-owners and potential
members
Information collected from a survey of NCF’s members
(owners) in February 2000 (http://www.ncf.ca/ncf/survey/)
and from other sources indicates that NCF’s member-owners are diverse, but there are large numbers who are thought to want
one or more of the following:
Services:
·
Most
member-owners want NCF to continue in its niche as a low-cost, fair value
internet service provider, and generally accept that this means less than
state-of-the-art equipment and less than commercial grade services.
·
Most
member-owners want reliable dial-up access (no busy signals, no interruptions,
no time limits), but recognize that low-cost implies possible modem-sharing at
peak periods. 33.6 modems or better.
·
Most
existing members and probably all new members want PPP (which enables most
internet services), but one or two thousand existing members still want text
(and FreePort-based services).
·
All
the standard PPP-based internet services, such as web browsing, email, personal
names, instant messaging, streaming media, newsgroups, etc.
·
Storage
for personal web pages and files.
·
No
advertising, spam.
·
New
services such as advertising-free POP email or webmail (ie., mail services from
NCF without using NCF's modems).
·
Improvements
of NCF's "people-helping-people".
·
A
place to become involved in the community by discussion in a public forum.
·
A
place to collaborate (private, with friends, or publicly), eg., file exchange,
instant messaging, directory services for net meetings or voice over IP.
·
The
ability to use software packages over the network without having them installed
on one’s own computer (“Thin Client” ASP project)
Organizational
Tone and Image:
·
Most
member-owners want a good atmosphere online (in newsgroups, web pages, instant
messaging, etc).
·
Most
member-owners want to be part of (a member of) an organization perceived to be
"good" and "reputable". To be proud of (or at least
not embarrassed by) being part of NCF. To be proud of an email address or
home page linking the member to NCF. To be part of an organization that
has a reputation for "doing good things".
·
To
feel like their donation is well-spent and deserved. To feel good about
donating.
·
To
feel that NCF provides people with an opportunity to volunteer, thereby
improving their skills and being an avenue for social contribution. To
feel that their contributions are effective, appreciated and rewarding.
NCF
is optimistic as it enters 2002. The
years of membership decline ended in 2001, stabilizing at about 8,000
people. However, this is not enough
people to support NCF with donations.
Although NCF’s mission is ambitious, in 2002 NCF needs to focus on more
modest goals to rebuild its strength.
Thus the focus for 2002 is on activities that are thought to be within
NCF’s capacity and that have potential to increase membership and earn
donations from members.
NCF must give current and potential members reasons to be members and support NCF with their donations, and must give current and potential sponsors (including institutions, corporations, govts, and individuals) reasons to support NCF.
In consideration of NCF’s current state, its mission, and wishes of members, and to guide staff and supporters with planning and execution in 2002:
NCF’s focus in 2002 is to
provide its members with
reliable low-cost dialup
access to
basic internet services,
extend the range of our
services to members and the community, and
to organize help for people
new to using the internet.
“Reliable
low-cost dial-up access” means modems that are available (not busy) and provide
functional connectivity, either PPP or text.
Keeping costs low helps reduce the “Digital Divide”. To keep costs low, NCF generally operates
access technologies that are two or three years behind state-of-the-art (eg.,
33.6K modems instead of 56K) and promotes resource sharing (eg., modem sharing)
so that more people can get benefits from existing equipment. Among NCF’s corporate sponsors are
commercial ISPs, who are pleased to help NCF by equipment donations, etc.
“Basic
internet services” include web browsing, email (client-based or browser-based),
web page hosting, newsgroups, and support for client-based services such as Microsoft
NetMeeting or AOL Instant Messenger.
“Extend
the range of our services to members and the community” includes: 1) Thin Client service, which allows members
to use PC-based software, such as Microsoft Office and Corel Draw, without
having to install it on their system; 2) WebMail service, which allows access
to email using a web browser; 3) Extended Access service, which increases the
number of modem lines in partnership with the City of Ottawa; 4) Web-based
communication/collaboration tools, domain hosting, and other web-based
services. Several of these new services
are possible due to projects and partnerships discussed below. Although delivery of all of these services
may not be completed in 2002, there is an intention to earn increased support
by offering such new services.
“Organizing
help for people new to using the internet” means setting up programs by which
NCF supporters (volunteers) and community agencies can help people overcome the
barriers of getting online, including help with computers, software, modems,
internet tools, and documentation. This
“do good” activity helps people in the community, earning NCF a positive
profile and image, and support from sponsors/members.
Implementing
services and programs in a professional way, even if those services are less than state-of-the-art, earns NCF a
positive image.
Volunteers
help NCF help others, and as a bonus, often acquire or develop skills. NCF coordinates in-kind support from
professionals, corporations, institutions, and governments.
Very
exciting for members is NCF’s involvement in local community technology
projects, including the SmartCapital project.
SmartCapital
is an
initiative of the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovations (OCRI) which is
designed to accelerate the development of online services for all sectors of
the community of Ottawa. Industry
Canada will contribute $4.5 million over three years towards the development of
twelve online services – one of which is the enhancement of NCF services. NCF will receive matching grants toward the
development of three new NCF services:
Extended Access, Thin Client, and WebMail. These NCF
projects are described on the SmartCapital website. The value of these projects over three years
to NCF exceeds $500,000.
NCF
has applied and been accepted for other government-funded projects also.
The
value of the projects to NCF members is considerable, when compared to NCF’s
expenditure last year of about $220K.
To bring the substantial benefits of these projects to NCF members and
their community, NCF’s Executive Director Ian MacEachern will coordinate the
activities of NCF sponsors, members, and project partners to the long-term
sustainable benefit of NCF members.