We will not be able to attend the meeting on 11/19 because of the AG's conference on sexual assault and DV that is occurring in Augusta all day. Contracting directly with Jon for services sounds good to me. Rape Response Services was not involved in the formation of HelpNet, and I admit that we do not have the vested interest in the organization that others do. The listserv has been helpful at times but more technical than I need at other times. The basic tech training attended by one of my staff persons was also beneficial to the agency. But the bottom line is that I cannot commit time and energy from Rape Response Services to taking on the continuation of these services. Sorry to miss the discussion, Kathy Walker
----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Schroeder" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2002 11:05 AM Subject: Re: [folkschool-list] Important Helpnet meeting Nov. 19 > Jon, HelpNet members. > First, thanks for the advice on cleaning up my computer's Win98 problems > (apparently). I replied a couple of weeks ago that I had followed the > directions - now I can say that my machine has not crashed, failed to > start, lost its cursor etc. even once since doing as Jon suggested. Thanks > very much! > Because Jon mentioned "cooperative learning environment," I'll offer a few > more words, and a couple comments on HelpNet. Though I'm sure it's just a > variation of a dream that people have shared through the ages, my current > thinking about "cooperative learning environment" comes out of several > projects related to Gulf of Maine concerns, beginning with the notion of a > "digital library" that has slowly transformed into "learning environment" > and more informally "conversation space." Right now, this "conversation > space" is being discussed within a project called New Directions in the > Earth Science and Humanities. Anyway, right now the idea is looking at the > topic map data interchange standard in its XML flavor, the creation of > "pattern languages" for access to subjects, and the search for appropriate > web-based interfaces to get at all of this - maybe building on concepts > such as web logs (blogs) and the visualization possibilities that are > available in a program such as the Axon Idea Processor. Of course, all of > this is specific, situational, technical. > I believe that HelpNet has a lot to offer. There are several factors that > limit its effectiveness right now, including: stretching the resources of > one person (Jon) too far; limited geographic scope that could be expanded > one level; the lack of interpersonal knowledge of the people who are > involved. All of this can be included in the discussion at the meeting a > week from today. There are other efforts that would seem to be synergistic > to HelpNet (including some of the efforts to build coastal community > resource centers, and statewide policy initiatives such as the Maine > Freedom of Information Coalition). Those are a few further thoughts, toward > a productive meeting next Tuesday. > Thanks to all, Paul S. > > At 09:15 AM 11/05/2002 -0500, you wrote: > >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 > > > > **Folkschool-list archives are at: > <http://www.mint.net/folkschool/helpnet/archives.htm> > Sponsored by Pine Tree Folk School > > > **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 ==^================================================================
