NCF Operations Report: 17 September 1996 ======================================== By Lisa Donnelly (am412), Executive Director 1. Development and Fundraising Update ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ a) New Development Officer, Angela Lukach (ag544). Angela started July 23 and is now up to speed on most NCF funding activity. She is busy implementing the updated Development Strategy. b) E-mail Funding Request Goes to 8,000 Members in August This three week campaign raised $3,500 from 131 donors: a 1.6% return rate. c) September U.S. Robotics On-line Challenge Launched An on-line challenge was launched on 13 September. The goal is to raise $15,000 by 11 October. In addition, an Awareness campaign aimed at educating members on their donation and usage patterns is being tested. d) NCF's Last ONIP Grant Installation NCF was the first ever recipient of money from the Ontario Network Infrastructure Program. We received $140,000 total from 1993 to 1996. This month marks our last installment. The final report was filed some time ago and we expect a cheque for $15,000 this month. e) Login Sequence Changed to Highlight Connection Sponsors Connection Sponsors now receive greater profiling when members login. We hope this will assist us in our renewal campaign. f) Autodebit Delayed Due to high charges and the requirement to learn complex software, we have temporarily delayed the autodebit method for donations. Instead, the donation menus have been updated to encourage members to give post dated cheques or permission for monthly visa charges. Once demand increases and training for the software has been secured we will proceed. 2. Outreach Activity ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ a) The NCF Electronic Resource Centre had its grand opening on 22 August. The Centre has four multi-media computers and a color laser printer. It is located at 515 Cote Street at the new St. Laurent branch of the Ottawa Public Library. b) Meetings with OPL Several meetings between the NCF and OPL staff have taken place. Issues regarding a memorandum of understanding, signage and scheduling are being finalized. c) NCF to Start Outreach Classes and Drop-in Times NCF will be sharing the centre with the OPL. The schedule for NCF usage will be available soon. We have two volunteers ready to start informal classes for newbies and small businesses. Please let us know if you are interested in hosting a class of drop-in session. The hours are flexible. d) New Speakers Task Force Co-ordinator Mimi Richard has passed the torch to Louisa Lambregts (dk388). She has already co-ordinated our monthly meetings at the OPL and in Nepean. Please contact her if you would like to help out. 3. Public Relations Accomplishments ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ a) A press release announcing FreePlan went out in English and French in early August. We recieved lots of questions but no substantial press coverage. We have talked to CBC and they are trying to schedule a FreePlan interview for late September. b) A press release announcing the NCF Electronic Resource Centre went our in French and English. No substantive press coverage to date. c) A news conference for FreePlan is scheduled for 2 October. The location and details will be announced soon. General Operations Information ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ a) Database Status Jean Wilmot is negotiating completion with the original Oracle designer. The technical staff are planning to install an interim database by the end of the month. b) Projects Co-ordinator on Hiatus James Wilkenson is no longer on contact but we will look into renewing it at a later date. In the meantime he is volunteering for NCF. c) Status of the Volunteer Co-ordination Task Force With James gone, the task force will need to restructure a bit. This group reports to the Executive Director. Current membership is Andrew Allen, Sheila C.-Alder, Dominique Dominee, Michael Mason, Natalie Munro and James Wilkenson. d) New Co-op Students in the NCF Office We have three new part-time co-op students helping our in Dunton Tower. e) 2,400 bps Modems Upgraded to 9,600 bps All ninety-six of our 2400 bps modems were upgraded. The new modems connect with most speeds of modems but do not seem to connect well with many older modems so we hope to complete our upgrade of six-four 14.4 bps modems as quickly as possible. -- ** Lisa K. Donnelly, M.B.A., Executive Director ** * National Capital FreeNet/Libertel de la Capitale nationale * Telecommunities Canada, Board of Directors (613) 241-9554 voice & fax (613) 241-2477