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Index of Subjects Here is a little case history. I hope it may serve as an example for others to use. --- The Quoddy Regional Land Trust (QRLT) is a US and Canadian charitable organization that works to preserve land that might otherwise be developed. Like many such organizations, a large part of the budget and (volunteer) time goes into phone and mailings to conduct business and contact interested parties, trustees, and affiliated organizations. Last year, my wife and I donated funds ($220) for a 1-year internet account on a local provider. The QRLT already has computer equipment obtained via a grant. A condition of the gift was that the QRLT track the costs and savings of using the internet to replace phone and mail. The result of this experiment was: Reduction in telephone bills: $370 Reduction in mailing costs: $311 Email is well suited to the needs of this organization. It is more timely than mail, and uses time more efficiently than telephone calls. Internet access has proven useful as a research tool, and QRLT is developing a WWW page for visibility and pubic information. --- As a result of this 1-year trial, the QRLT Finanace Committee has recommended continuing the internet account from operating funds. I think this model applies to many small non-profit organizations. CCN is in a good position to develop a program that matches donations or grants with small NPO's to help them try out internet access to see if it is useful for them. For a small organization with a tight budget, it is difficult to switch to using email, etc. without some understanding of the actual savings that will be realized. For CCN, where the cost of an account to a small NPO has been nebulous, this approach can help to establish a firm cost figure. A program of 1-year startup grants to NPO's can be funded by interested parties, or from a fund created by CCN out of membership fees. In some cases a grant of equipment may be needed. I think it is a fact of life that many organizations will first use CCN as an IP, but then move to a commercial provider. Commercial IP's benefit both from reduced startup support costs and from being able to seek out NPO's that will enhance their image and help generate paying customers. There are some organizations that many commercial providers would not support. CCN be contacting commercial IP's to seek financial support for a program of startup grants. -- George White <aa056@chebucto.ns.ca> Halifax, Nova Scotia
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