Proposal:

 National Capital FreeNet Strategic Objectives for 1997	
-----------------------------------------------------		.

This has been an exciting and productive year for NCF, moving us in the
general directions laid out in the 1996 strategy, which remains relevant for
the coming year.  Rather than editing this earlier document, this year we
should emphasize changes and be more concrete about specific priorities and
objectives to be accomplished in 1997.

Our biggest worries
- ensuring sustainable and reliable revenues
- being relevant when a growing number of our current and potential members
are becoming  ISP subscribers

Continuing challenges:
- maintaining a friendly and participative atmosphere despite our growing
size and sophistication
- continuing to reach out to members of the community who are not yet on line. 
- simplifying running the organization and maintenance of our systems and
services


PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Committees or task forces are in place to focus on francophones, those
lacking equipmentt (public access stations, St. Laurent Library outreach
centre), and those having trouble getting started (Speakers' Bureau,
OutReach TF).  The Public Relations TF is working at keeping NCF a
household word in the region.  We need to continue to support these
efforts and ensure that they accomplish their goals.  These are large
investments of volunteer effort, but require only minimal funds. 

Of the other groups listed  as needing special focus since they were not
well served, 
children, teachers, elected officials, and the media 
seem to be coming on-line rapidly and are now being served outside of NCF in
many cases.  We can access their content and communicate with them on their
turf without necessarily enlisting them as members.

Recommendation:   Continue to serve these groups, but no longer consider
them as special target groups.

Recommendation:   Add the self-employed/small businesses to target groups
not now being well served that require some help from NCF.


ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGY

The Development Strategy is central to this area.

We NEED a central office where all staff can work and key volunteers congregate.

Recommendation:   Obtain donated office space.

For 1996 we agreed to "Actively work within the local community; build
partnerships with other community organizations that have information
networking needs and roles", but were not specific.  Some of our long time
partners, such as the libraries, seem to be withdrawing from active
support. 

Recommendation:   Select one or 2 target organizations; e.g.,
City or regional government(s) in Quebec?  Some of the smaller municipalities?


CONTENT

Continue emphasis on Web implementation (i.e. FreePlan), placing emphasis on
information content and presentation.  We need to have one of the best web
sites in town to keep the public's attention.

Recommendation:   Track  the number of and volume of  traffic to personal
and Information Provider Web pages as measures of our success.


We also need to strengthen our role as the best place to find information
about this region.

Recommendation:   Develop search facilities to make ncf the preferred
starting point for one-stop-shopping.


SERVICES

FreePlan should take us giant strides forward.  Our priority for 1997  needs
to consolidate and refine its elements.  This includes doing lots of
training to help members create their own Web pages.


NETWORK ACCESS

Recommendation:   No new modems.

Recommendation:   Examine problems/ delays for members telnetting in.

Recommendation:   Double the number of public access stations.