There will be a **VERY IMPORTANT** meeting to discuss the future direction
of the HelpNet technology network:
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 19
Time: Noon to 1:30 pm
Place: Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine
170 Park St., Bangor
We started HelpNet about 3 years ago, with the idea that by cooperating,
community organizations (mostly) in Eastern Maine could pool our skills and
resources, and do a better job of making technology work for us. We've had
some significant successes in doing this. However, I think that it's time
to consider some changes.
The first item I'm proposing is that effective Jan.1, 2003, individuals and
organizations who want direct consulting services from me would contract
directly with me, not through Pine Tree Folk School. The mission of PTFS,
which sponsors HelpNet, is participatory education for social
change. This change clarifies that PTFS' role in HelpNet is supporting
education and the development of organizational capacity, while also making
it clearer that HelpNet member organizations are free to get services from
anyone, within or outside of HelpNet.
The second discussion item is more fundamental: what sort of commitment is
there among HelpNet members to building a community -- what HelpNet member
Paul Schroeder calls a "cooperative learning environment"? What, if any,
forms of common activity do we want -- training, Web/E-mail resources,
social gatherings,etc? What sorts of issues are we interested in working
on together. Most important, what do HelpNet members actually have the
time and energy to make happen?
In the past, I have taken the lead in developing common activities -- a
listserv, trainings, monthly meetings. I would like to turn much of this
responsibility over to the HelpNet membership. I will continue to be an
enthusiastic member of any group that forms to think about Helpnet
activities, but I do not want to lead such a group.
The reasons for this change are partly organizational -- it's time for
HelpNet to take another step towards self-sufficiency, if it is to continue
-- and partly personal. As some of you know, I have had rheumatoid
arthritis for the last 6 years. The most annoying effect of my RA has been
that, while sometimes I feel very good, there are other unpredictable times
when my energy is very limited. This has made it very hard, despite my
best efforts, to put the consistent energy into HelpNet that I have wanted
to. So it's time to share the load, at whatever level of activity that
people want to do together.
As we consider what sort of group we want to have, this also seems like a
good time to open up the discussion beyond the current HelpNet membership.
Please share this announcement with anyone else who you think might be
interested in a community space for asking questions and sharing
information about technology.
Please respond on this list, or contact me directly, with any comments or
questions you have about all this. I hope to see you on the 19th.
Jon
Jonathan Falk
Pine Tree Folk School
RR 2, Box 7162
Carmel, ME 04419
(207)848-2433
<http://www.ptfolkschool.org>
**Folkschool-list archives are at:
<http://www.mint.net/folkschool/helpnet/archives.htm>
Sponsored by Pine Tree Folk School
==^================================================================
This email was sent to: [email protected]
EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84vzQ.a9gqS3.YXJjaGl2
Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail!
http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register
==^================================================================
