Wisdom from a Parksville Pioneer

Contact Info:

• Jim Swanson, Mount Arrowsmith Community Network
• Telephone: 752-5643 (h)
• E-mail: jims@macn.bc.ca
• HomePage -- http://www.macn.bc.ca

Key lessons learned about planning and operating a CommunityNet...

• Establish as broad a base of support as you can.
• Support local businesses as much as possible -- this helps to increase donations and benefits the local economy.
• Don't be afraid to ask for and negotiate hard for the services and equipment you need.
• Use the local media to raise awareness (i.e. regular CommunityNet articles in local newspapers).
• Be persistent (especially when applying for grants).
• Ask retired business people for advice and guidance.

Jim's Wish List! to expand and improve BC's CommunityNets in 1996 includes...

• Funding for public access terminals.
• Establishing Community Steering Committees involving the local: civic and regional governments, college, school district, library, museum, ISPs, health council, and chamber of commerce to aggregate network demand for volume discounts and provin cial funding.
• Organizing meetings throughout BC on how a CommunityNet can work and providing demonstrations and assistance.