[rtpnet-tact] My notes from the CTCNet conference

[Judy Hallman]

To TACT list:

As usual, there was an exciting group at the CTCNet conference, in DC June
27-29. I had hoped to talk with many more people, but the time just
disappeared. I didn't take as many notes as usual, but perhaps they will
be helpful to those who weren't able to attend.

CTCNet Board
------------
Erroll Reese was re-elected to the Board of Directors and will continue to
serve as President.

CTC VISTA Project: http://www.cpcs.umb.edu/vista/
-------------------------------------------------
- There were about 40 people at the supervisors' preconference session.
Introductions indicated a wide range of VISTA projects. The CTC VISTA
Project has 40 slots and about 1/2 were already filled. Part B
applications were due July 7. Applicant paperwork is due July 25.
- College of Public and Community Service, UMASS/Boston, offers an online-
certificate in Computer Media and Technology --
http://www.cpcs.umb.edu/cmt/ .
- Current VISTAs came in for the last hour. What an impressive group! They
showed a video of a day in the life of a VISTA. I learned that supervisors
need to help VISTAs with things like finding low-cost housing and applying
for food-stamps. If possible, put them in touch with other VISTAs, who are
also trying to live without money for restaurants or movies or the like.

Opening Session:
----------------
- Steve Ronan is leading the Boston wireless project (see
http://www.ctcnet.org/wireless/wireless_homepage.htm).
- CTCNet members can join Gifts in Kind International for $100 (see
http://www.ctcnet.org/giki/giftsinkind.html).
- CTCNet has received several large grants.

CTCs & Local Schools:
---------------------
Good content, lots of interesting work being done -- see
http://www2.ctcnet.org/conf/2003/program_detail.asp?SessionID=39 , not all
the presentations are online yet. There is potential here for more
collaboration, perhaps a Web-based discussion forum to share ideas and
successes.

Share Fair -- Free Curriculum for 6th Graders:
----------------------------------------------
Douglas Dumont (RTPnet CTC VISTA) and I showed how to download free lesson
plans and teaching modules, as well as tips and hints, for an after school
program to teach basic computer skills to 6th graders. See
http://www.duke.edu/web/isis/click/module/ for more information about
CLICK (Creating Literacy in Computer Knowledge), which was also described
in the session CTCs & Local Schools.

Regional Roundtables -- North Carolina:
---------------------------------------
Bobbie Crockett <bobbie at gcflearnfree.org>,
Lucy Haagen <durhamlit at aol.com>,
Lizzie Ellis-Furlong <lefdurhamlit at yahoo.com>,
Terry Grunwald <tgrunwald at mindspring.com> I don't remember who else.
We discussed starting a Regional CTCNet Chapter. We talked in terms of a
package membership fee for joining the Regional Chapter, RTPnet, CTCNet,
and AFCN.

Sharing Technology Resources Between Multiple CTCs:
---------------------------------------------------
- Steve Wright described how he is using a Sun RaQ.
- Nicol Turner-Lee, developing a technology coop, homansquare.org, and
ntrconline.com (7/15/03)
- Jemeul Johnson, CyberLinkages Community Technology Center,
http://www.cyberlinkages.org/

Local Organizing: How to Form a Regional CTCNet Chapter:
--------------------------------------------------------
Benefits: professional development, tech support, resources, able to get
site licenses (reduced price, like schools, for example, for
DeepFreeze), political voice.  Good discussion. There was a handout,
"Benefits of Becoming a CTCNet Chapter," which should be online soon.

CTCNet Affiliates Meeting and notes from Breaks:
------------------------------------------------
- A lot covered in a short time.
- The development committee does conference planning. Committees are open
to all members.
- Lots of good discussion about ways Association for Community Networks
(AFCN) and CTCNet can work together, especially member partnerships.

Birds of a Feather -- CT Projects:
----------------------------------
I'm working on the writeup for posting at
http://www2.ctcnet.org/conf/2003/program_detail.asp?SessionID=21

AFCN: Strategic Planning & Future Initiatives:
----------------------------------------------
- Good discussion on ways to strengthen AFCN.
- Peter Miller would like to have at least one article on community
networking in each Community Technology Review.
- Interesting discussion of privacy, security, and control over personal
information.

Closing Plenary (I left early):
-------------------------------
- Good comments on the role of CTCs in the future.
- Check out www.thebeehive.org .
- Get focused and stay connected.

HP Info Pavilion:
-----------------
The HP Info Pavilion was very impressive. Lots of good computers. No lines
to check e-mail. Small gatherings of people showing their work. Great
printer! It was nice to be able to run off last minute handouts.

Exhibitors:
-----------
I didn't see much of the exhibits, but did pick up some info.
C3 Conferencing (http://www.c3conferencing.com/) seems to have a lot of
options for conferencing -- audio, web, and video. They can set up a
one-time conference call. I don't see any cost info.

Judy Hallman (hallman at rtpnet.org, http://www.rtpnet.org/hallman)
Executive Director, RTPnet, NC (http://www.RTPnet.org/)