CANADIAN COMMUNITY NETWORKS CONFERENCE and founding meeting of TELECOMMUNITIES CANADA August 15-17, 1994 Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario Sponsored by: Industry Canada Treasury Board Secretariat Morino Institute Ontario, Culture, Tourism and Recreation; Libraries and Community Information Branch Rogers Ottawa Hosted by: National Capital FreeNet Conference contacts: Program coordination Garth Graham, aa127@freenet.carleton.ca Site administration: Miranda Gray, ak717@freenet.carleton.ca Registration: Tom Riley, 76470.336@compuserve.com National Capital FreeNet,Ottawa, hosted the first international conference on community networking, Carleton University, August 17 to 19, 1993. That conference brought people interested in community networking face-to-face for the first time. This second conference builds on the previous experience, but more closely focuses on the purposes, potentials, and needs for developing community networks within Canada. The 1993 conference participants recommended the establishment of a national organization; to support the growth of electronic community networks in Canada, and to share the experience of bringing communities on-line. They wanted the new organization to be true to the spirit of the Internet as a sociological experiment, and to mirror the grassroots spirit of the Free-Nets it supports. Following from their recommendations, articles of incorporation for an association of community network associations, called "Telecommunities Canada," are proceeding to registration. Organizing electronic community networks and Free-Nets as a means of community development has become a social movement in Canada. The members of that movement are characterized by high levels of energy and commitment to civic responsibility. If you want to find out what Canadians who have the choice actually do on the Information Highway, come to this conference and join in the discussions: The conference will: 1. Share the experience, learning and excitement of people active in the development of Canadian community networks. 2. Increase awareness about the purpose and possibilities of community networks. 3. Provide for participation by Canadian community networks and Free-Nets in the founding meeting of Telecommunities Canada. 4. Prepare an issues agenda about the significance and development needs of community networks in Canada as guidance to Telecommunities Canada and as a message for the Information Highway Advisory Council. WHO SHOULD ATTEND?...ARE YOU: * Active or interested in organizing Free-Nets? * Operating a Free-Net or other electronic community network? * Interested in the social, economic, physical, and philosophical impacts of community networking? * Already a computer network user or planning to be? * Involved in community, government or public interest groups that want access to computer mediated communications and networks? * A content provider or service agent? * A private industry executive or professional from the Information Sector with an interest in broadening the base of information technology use? PROGRAM How to start a community network? How to use a community network? What does it mean? The event covers 3 days: * August 15-16 The conference itself * August 17 Founding board meeting of Telecommunities Canada, including official community network representatives, plus conference registrants as observers; - election of board of directors - discussion and approval of an action agenda This is a chance to learn about and discuss: * Strategies and tactics for community networks on purposes, organization, content, administration, volunteers, and technology platforms * Beyond accessibility: new avenues for public participation in community life and electronic public space * Provincial models for development of community networks. * New directions in softwares that support community building * Info highway carriers: on-ramps and street maps * Free-Net staff and Free-Nets as employers * Money and finances: funding alternatives for sustaining the economic independence of community nets. * Community cable TV experience in social activism * Understanding the medium of virtual community as the message The agenda of the conference is action oriented. In addition to panel presentations by experts, conference participants will have the opportunity to participate in working group discussions to develop "action agendas" addressing key issues in the development of community networks. The action agendas will directly affect the priorities of Telecommunities Canada concerning issues of national support. A conference summary will be posted on National Capital FreeNet. An existing listserve, set up after last year's conference, discusses Free-Nets and community nets issues in Canada. We will also be using this to initiate discussion of conference topics. This listserve can be reached without subscribing via National Capital FreeNet on the Newsgroup: culist.can-freenet. To subscribe send the message: subscribe can-freenet FIRSTNAME LASTNAME To: listserv@cunews.carleton.ca ----------------------------------------- REGISTRATION FORM THE CANADIAN COMMUNITY NETWORKS CONFERENCE and founding meeting of TELECOMMUNITIES CANADA August 15 - 17,1994 Carleton University CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEE (AUGUST 15 AND 16) $170 (plus 7% GST) Student rate $85 (plus 7% GST) Name _______________________________________________________ Title or main area of interest______________________________ Organization________________________________________________ Address_____________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ email _____________________________________________________ Telephone___________________ Fax _____________________ Registration can be sent to:email 76470.336@compuserve.com or fax to: (416)593-0249 or phone: (416)593-7352 Make cheque or money order payable to: Riley Information Services Inc. 633 Bay Street, Suite no. 2207 Toronto, Canada M5G 2G4 GST No. R117997965 ACCOMMODATIONS Carleton University is offering a special accommodations rate (including breakfasts) for the conference of: single $ 46.00 (plus 7% GST) double (share with another person ) $ 28.00 (plus 7% GST) per person If accommodations are needed, please indicate: single_________ or double__________ If double, please list: name accompanying _________________________________ or check here if willing to share _________________ Please indicate: Date of arrival__________ Date of departure _____________ No. of nights accommodations needed___________ Special needs: ______________________________________ Please enclose cheque or money order for accommodations with registration payment. Thank you. Attending Telecommunities Canada meeting August 17th? Yes _____________ No __________________ If you are an official delegate to the Telecommunities Canada meeting (each community network may appoint up to three people as voting members), please check here: ____________________