[Winona Online Democracy] OnlineDemocracy Steering Committee Meeting�. 9/19/00 Notes Duane Peterson, Joliene Olson, Stan Pollock, Gene Pelowski, Eric Sorensen, Steve Kranz, and Randy Schenkat 1. How's it working? We shared a satisfaction with the amount, variety, and quality of entries that have been made to date in the onlinedemocracy forum. We currently have 130+ individuals signed on to online democracy. We felt that in the first three weeks the list has been successful in achieving the initial goal of creating a self-sustaining discussion that generates a "handfull" of messages each day. The next step would be to provide a way for people to follow up on ideas that are generated by list members. Another suggestion that was brought up was providing more information when someone new signs up for the list, including a link to the archive of messages so that they can see what has been discussed. Concern was expressed regarding a new person entering the forum now. As it currently stands they get no message that refers them to the archives so they can connect with the current conversations. This will be added. FYI, the url to get to archive is: http://www.mail-archive.com/onlinedemocracy%40winona.org/ Please continue to talk about onlinedemocracy and encourage your acquaintances to join us. Currently we've had multiple entries on many themes, among them are: traffic, taxes, infrastructure, education, digital divide, civic participation, bgh in milk, drugs & alcohol, and courthouse. 2. How do we convert talk in forum to action? We've noted good discussions but wonder where do those ideas and thoughts go? We noted one entry that asked if individuals would like to form a task force. We will be adding a feature to the website--- onlinedemocracy.winona.org that will allow individuals to better form action groups. Initially, this may simply be an online form in which list members who feel strongly about a particular issue could volunteer to form an "action group" to work together on the issue. Later, we may provide a particular section of the website with additional tools to assist groups in organizing and working together. Watch for information on that feature. Perhaps you'd care to share your expectations regarding the forum. Do expect to see action and how should that be initiated? Please share these thoughts online. 3. Knowledge Forum was running and displayed via LCD at meeting. All our notes are also being placed in thematic views and linked . If you'd like to use Knowlege Forum and see these "visual representations" of our discussion, please refer to the email that explains how to download and install the software or email Me and I"ll send out the directions. . We are particularly encouraging the use of KF when a group forms to take an issue and work for action. If you'd like to see how the postings around the Digital Divide look on Knowledge Forum go to our website. This is a still life a screen view. In Knowledge Forum you could click on anyone's note and open it to read their full comments. You can easily build on their note via the build on feature in the Connections menu or add a post it note to it via the annotation feature. You could also search the data base for notes by any author and or by data. 4. Meeting Time of Steering Committee-One concern was raised regarding not being able to attend due to work schedule. Are there others of you who would want to be involved in our monthly steering committee meeting if it was scheduled after work hours? Randy Schenkat 1419 Conrad Dr. Winona,MN 55987 507-452-7168 ---------------- This message was posted to the Winona Online Democracy Project. Please visit http://onlinedemocracy.winona.org to subscribe or unsubscribe. Please sign all messages posted to this list with your actual name. Posting of commercial solicitations is not allowed on this list. Report problems to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
