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Hi,
I have a few suggestions which we should implement to get the word out
there about Chebucto. The more publicity we get the more funds we can earn.
People are still unsure that Chebucto actually is an internet service. I
hear this question quite often, "Once I am on Chebucto, can I get to the
internet?".
Just some suggestions:
- Have public sessions in libraries more often
- More trainers to help new users in high traffic venues like the library
- An intermediate level manual
- Have information/question and answer programs on community cable
- More printed documentation in the libraries, computer stores, and
internet cafes
- Get the word out that you can advertise your small business on our
homepages (I think we may have lost some potential users due to this)
- A 'membership day' where we can have several people trying to respond
to membership messages which get returned
I think the major problems which is stunting our growth are public
awareness of Chebucto, and training.
If we could get word out about Chebucto, and how to use it, I think we
could generate more funds.
Joe Baker, who had previously organized a dance etc...has wonderful
contacts, he did mention that he would help organize any dance type
events in the future. I presume the only reason the dance didn't have
the attendence levels that we would have liked is that we didn't
advertise it very well.
Other technical issues:
- Instead of cutting off a user with a pending file, lead them to a lynx
page which describe how to renew
- Get a good terminal emulator (communications program) which we can
distribute to windows 3.11/windows '95 users (hyperterminal is laden with
bugs which make it seem like it's chebucto's fault that things aren't
working properly)
Volunteer issues:
- Utilize more volunteers when we can
- Have volunteer training workshops for different areas of our service
such as office, technical, communications (such as printing pamphlets)
I hope that my comments aren't too repetitive or simple, I hope we can
garner some use out of them.
Thanks.
Blaine Murphy <blaine@chebucto.ns.ca>
Office Administrator - Chebucto Community Net
Office Phone Number - (902) 494 2449
On Wed, 7 Oct 1998, Peter Morgan wrote:
> Hello All,
>
> This is really a note I should have written some time ago. Bear with the
> length -- it is about fundamental, important issues.
>
> Since April of 1997, (when I became chair of the board), the following has
> happened:
>
> - Individual memberships have peaked and are now falling (numbers are
> difficult to obtain, but I would estimate from about 5200 members to about
> 4800). Services offered to individuals have not changed in several years
> and remain entirely text-based. Demand for training has fallen off sharply.
>
> - IP's as a whole have decreased in number and in particular, a number of
> high profile IP's have left Chebucto. Many IP's maintain multiple accounts
> (getting email via Sympatico so they can use a graphical interface, and an
> account at Chebucto for web hosting). With the exception of a pilot PPP
> offering, services to IP's have not changed in several years.
>
> - In March of 1997 no one knew how much money we had in the bank (it turned
> out to be a few thousand dollars).
>
> - In March 1997 2/3 of the Board did not renew terms or left before there
> terms had ended. I was never able to speak with the previous chair.
> Membership accumulated 1500 unanswered messages. Essentially, the
> communications position has remained vacant until this Sept.
>
> - Our current web site has not been redesigned (graphics or information
> architecture) in a number of years.
>
> On more positive notes:
>
> - Our profile across Canada remains strong
> - User help has continued to provide admirable service
> - Tech have upgraded the computers, hard drives, and software as well as
> added modems. The system now carries a load 20% higher than last year
> (individual memberships may be falling, but web site access is increasing)
> - The office continues to provide new and old users alike with high quality
> advice
> - A users manual is now available
> - Volunteer and member newsletters have been started in recent months.
> - As of September we have GIC's worth $15,000, an accurate accounting
> system, we are introducing a budgeting process, we are set to embark on the
> first member campaign ever, various fundraising ideas (some of which were
> used successfully a number of years ago) are being tried with some success.
> We now accept credit card payments and have applied for charitable status.
>
> Over the past 1.5 years I tried to focus on three key areas:
> - increase services to individuals (and therefore user interest in
> Chebucto, and our sustainability ($))
> - increase services to IP's (provide services comparable to what is
> available commercially, and offer "a community of information providers"
> which is not offered by commercial services)
> - strengthen the organization (first financially, then through volunteer
> and communications development)
>
> But the recent Virtual Domain Name debate has left me with a sinking
> feeling. It has taken more than a year to get a proposal in front of the
> Board to charge IP's anything at all for any services!
>
> (Imagine giving away your core services without any reciprocal agreement,
> for years on end -- in some cases we have done just that. IP's are not to
> blame -- we haven't asked them for anything.)
>
> Then, after a series of meetings and proposals this summer, a draft is
> brought to the Board. The Board hesitates; wants more study. I start to
> get nervous. Really, the issues are of implementation, not of disagreement
> about the principles outlined in the document. The Board agrees and strikes
> an implementation committee. The committee has not yet met. Non-Board
> members say we have not considered all the issues. People say we should do
> studies. Others say we are forgetting our core constituency and should
> consider not charging for things. Still others point out that in a few
> cases we have already made commitments that are not reflected in the new
> policy. People are essentially suggesting we start again. I wonder who is
> going to have the time to sort all this out. Who will meet and rework the
> already agreed to document? Will that leave any energy to actually
> implement the scheme?
>
> Team, we got to get going! The bitter reality is that we are on a sinking
> ship. It won't be under water for awhile, but make no doubt about it. We
> are going down. VDN's are but one example-- there are dozens of issues we
> have faced and will fac