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UNIVERSAL FREE ACCESS: Or where this is not achievable,
as universal and as inexpensive as possible. Tiered service
can also help. There are lots of components to this. Word of
the network has to be spread from organizations to their
membership and patrons. The public at large should be invited
as an active participant. PORTIONS of the network can be
reserved for in-house communication but the need is to refresh
our ranks gaining converts to our causes. A good example of
these processes at work can be found in Artswire. Yes there
are subscription fees but these have voluntary and free
components. Major information databases on Artswire are
available via a free public website and Their weekly
newsletter, CURRENT is further distributed in a free listserv
edition. This tiered servicing is a great model for the
future. In Colorado a similar approach can be found in the
subscription BBS, Arts to Zoo which then operates a free web
site advertised widely in the community. The sister network,
Artslynx is entirely free and open to the public.
2. INCLUSIVENESS must
be central to the mission: Again we need to empower any
citizen with the information and resources they need take
action on their passion -- to become active as spokespersons
for our missions. Related sectors must be represented as well.
There is great strength to be found in coalition building.
3. WIDE COMMITMENT TO THE
PROJECT BY ALL PARTICIPANTS as evidenced by the
providing of content in electronic form in a regular,
predictable, and timely manner. Without CONTENT there IS no
network and no reason for users to log on. We can no longer
expect one person to do our work for us, especially without
the resources that only our organizations can provide. It is
hard for a webmaster to build any kind of ongoing effective
presence for say an arts council or Boy Scout Troop without
regular submission of material to be posted. In this arena
most current online networks are loosing the battle. We will
fail unless this problem can be licked.
4. DIVISION OF
RESPONSIBILITIES AND MISSION: There is room in this
mission for ALL. The nature of current Internet communications
allows for multiple means of information distribution. There
need be NO central comprehensive network. Many networks can
now share in the responsibility making for a richness of
service options that can attract and hold users. In this model
though there needs to be a mechanism for coordination of
efforts to keep duplication to a minimum while playing to the
individual strength of network participants.
5. UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO
TRAINING AND SUPPORT: This needs to be an ongoing and
strong effort. Programs can include formal training,
mentoring, technical support, written manuals and purchasing
guidelines, etc.
6. THE NETWORK MUST PROVIDE
LINKS AND ENCOURAGE PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN AFFINITY NETWORKS:
Just as the network needs to be inclusive in our discipline
community, it needs to link to ever wider networks, especially
in areas of economic development, community governance, the
non-profit sector, arts and recreation, and the education
community.
7. THE NETWORK MUST BE VERY
EASY TO USE, IMMEDIATELY INFORMATIVE, AND NOT SO
"FANCY" AS TO REQUIRE THE LATEST SOFTWARE OR TO TURN
OFF USERS WITH OLD EQUIPMENT NOT WILLING TO WAIT HOURS FOR
"HOT GRAPHICS" OR FEATURES TO DISPLAY. Many
networks fail in this respect. They become so fancy that they
just do not work for the bulk of persons or are so slow using
average access and equipment that users avoid further contact
with the network. An alternative is to be sure to maintain
parallel access environments from fancy graphics down to text
only displays.
8. THE NETWORK MUST PERMEATE
THE DAY TO DAY OPERATION OF THE ORGANIZATION OR AGENCY!
When organizations recruit membership, it is no longer enough
to ask for merely a name address and phone number. Even if an
organization has no online presence it is still vital to begin
to collect a database of member e-mail addresses. Don't limit
your members by your OWN limitations! You may not be online
but don't stop your members from effective online networking.
Your forms and sign-in sheets must also include FAX numbers.
All employees and staff of the organization should include
electronic contact info. on their cards and stationary as
well. All it takes to establish an online presence for an
organization is one e-mail address of one staff member. You
WON'T be overwhelmed! All publications of all organizations
should provide an electronic contact address.
9. LEADERSHIP MUST BE TOP
DOWN TO SUCCEED: This model may not be the vogue but it
is the only model I have seen work! I have organized countless
grass-roots networks for organizations and they just haven't
worked until the CEO cares enough to mandate participation.
Unless and until more OFFICERS become knowledgeable and
comfortable with online communications, organizations set
themselves up to be taken advantage of by techno-charlatans or
feel progress is being made in networking when in fact there
are no real efforts. What's required is leadership from
organizational leaders. Without this there is no chance at
success.
10. START NOW: By its
nature, electronic online communications is both modular and
infinitely flexible. Unlike other avenues of communications, a
full plan need not be in place before effective pieces of the
network are started. Let the network grow and evolve. If you
wait until you find that perfect answer to your needs you will
no longer be around to HAVE needs! By tomorrow you can be
online.....if only you want to enough. It is neither a matter
of money nor equipment, but COMMITMENT!
Contact Information:
Richard Finkelstein
rfinkels@msn.com
http://www.artslynx.org/aotl/
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