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HEADLINES
* Form charitable company - shadow board operates immediately
* Main activity - independent advocate, catalyst and info
exchange
* First version of the Web site by mid August plus Prospectus
* Also develop events and book
* Work as closely as possible with IT for All
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DEVELOPMENT APPROACH
First phase: basic technology of mailing lists and BT Web site.
Concentrate on human networking, gaining support, developing
communication and content, forming organisation; initial
fundraising.
Second phase:upgrade technically, more proactive on projects with
organisational partners - public, private and/or voluntary.
Core development area: acting as an independent forum, information
exchange and catalyst: charitable. In addition look for opportunities
to innovate with partners. May require non-charitable trading
company.
Aim to make this a learning experience for all concerned, with scope
for anyone interested who supports the aims to join in. Inclusive,
developmental, cross sector.
Aim to work as closely as possible with the IT for All initiative, as
well as public and private organisations e.g. Society for Public
Infomation Networks, Computing Services and Software Association.
(See building support).
MISSION
Develop aims and objectives from mission to:
"Promote electronic networking which empowers citizens, builds
communities of interest and of locality"
... this will be done in two ways: for the constitution (memorandum
and articles) of the charitable company, and for the Prospectus (see
below).
In discussion we agreed that 'community' covered interest groups and
organisations as well as local networks. Citizen empowerment will
cover 'what does the Internet offer ordinary people', including scope
for personal development and learning.
Action: Organisation and Prospectus groups
ORGANISATION
We agreed to create a charitable company, first with a 'Shadow' Board
who may then become director/trustees: Michael Mulquin (acting
chair), Jonathan Brown, Colin Millar, Doug Williams, Eta De
Cicco.
Richard Stubbs, Dave Millar and Tim Walton were not present but have
indicated they want to be in the core group. Any more
self-nominations to the shadow board? (My role is as potential
employee, and as such I cannot be a director/trustee.)
Michael's organisation, Aston Charities, can hold funds until we are
incorporated. The shadow board is the decision making body from now
on, working with groups around specific tasks.
Action by Michael Mulquin, Jonathan Brown, Pat Colley.
PROSPECTUS AND IDENTITY
I will develop a one-page draft version of the who, why, what etc of
Communities Online, plus a longer version. Chris Leigh will help, and
we'll call on others as necessary. This will be available on our Web
site (see below) and in print.
We will need, as part of this exercise, to consider our identity
(name(s), logo, brief copy). Is UK Communities Online appropriate for
the company, Web site, services? It may be that we can start with
UKCO and some simple typography, then develop the identity as we
grow.
Action: DW, Chris. Also approach Tim Walton.
BUILDING SUPPORT INCLUDING EVENTS
DW will contact Nick Trent at DTI about involvement with IT for All,
and the industry body Computing Services and Software Association.
Colin and/or Doug to participate if possible.
Pat Colley and Kevin Harris, with Michael, will plan a late September
event for community and voluntary organisations to brief/involve
them.
DW, Michael, Colin and Doug will confirm cross-department internal BT
commitment to the programme and aim to secure continuing support.
DW to continue to investigate/take up opportunities for workshops at
conferences etc.
The above to plan longer-term events programme: cross-sector,
regional.
WEB
The aim is to have some first pages up by mid-August covering UKCO,
the content framework and invitation to join in. The site on the BT
server will co-ordinate with the Sheffield site and the US IACN
site.
Potential participants: Dave Miller, Richard Stubbs, DW, Doug, Spike.
Doug has proposed a meeting August 2 which I (DW) can make
MAILING LISTS
The greatest benefit for groups and organisations. Apparently
technically trivial, but difficult to find anyone to do them.
Action: Doug and Colin to investigate what BT can do. Dave Miller to
offer fall-back, Eta to contribute expertise from past
experience.
BOOK
Agreed that we need a book of articles to back up the Web and
events.
DW to develop outline and investigate Joseph Rowntree Foundation
interest.
FUNDRAISING
DW and MM to develop strategy based on
- BT, DTI, CSSA contacts and responses
- Revenue generation opportunities from events and other
'products'
TRAINING
Training and support was felt to be fundamental.
Spike Robinson has indicated since the meeting that he would like to
work in this area, and develop proposals with others. Anyone
else?
SUMMARY AND IMMEDIATE TIMETABLE
Draft Prospectus David Wilcox, Chris August 2
Web DW, Doug, Spike, Richard First pages mid August
Internal BT DW, Michael, Doug, Colin Mid August
DTI, CSSA DW, Doug, Colin Mid August
Book outline DW End August
Volorgs event invites Pat, Kevin, Michael Early September
Those present on July 24
Jonathan Brown (NCVO Rural Team)
Eta De Cicco (National Council for Educational Technology)
Pat Colley (Community Matters)
Kevin Harris (Community Development Foundation)
Chris Leigh (Newtec)
Colin Millar (BT Labs)
Michael Mulquin (Aston Charities, Partnerships for Tomorrow)
Spike Robinson (DFAX)
John Routledge (Urban Forum)
Glenn Rothwell (I-Way)
David Wilcox (Partnerships for Tomorrow)
Doug Williams (BT Labs)