This is a motion that defines NCF’s focus in 2001. Defining a focus is powerful because it can be the foundation for budget planning, it can guide staff and supporters who work with NCF, and it can as a reference point for decision-making. When NCF’s board declares a focus for NCF in 2001, supporters can confidently tell others what NCF wishes to achieve in 2001.
This 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”.
Background:
NCF’s focus in 2001 is based on:
1) NCF’s mission statement and traditions
2) Current wishes of members (who are NCF’s owners) and potential members
1) NCF’s mission statement is:
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.
2) 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.
Combining
the above list of owner desires with NCF’s mission, a theme to guide NCF’s
planning and supporters in 2001 is:
NCF’s focus in 2001 is to
provide its members with
reliable low-cost dialup
access to
basic internet services, 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.
“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.
WHEREAS NCF must give current and potential
members reasons to be members and support NCF with their donations, and
NCF must give current and potential sponsors (including institutions,
corporations, govts, and individuals) reasons to support NCF, and
in consideration of NCF’s mission and wishes of members; and
to guide staff and supporters with planning and execution in 2001:
BE IT RESOLVED that NCF’s focus in 2001 is to provide its members with low-cost reliable dialup access to basic internet services, and to organize help for people new to using the internet.