Leslie Regan Shade, Ian Duncan, E-Connections Coordinators ac900@freenet.carleton.ca E-CONNECTIONS: an ONIP sponsored feasibility study to investigate e-mail and other internetworking technologies for Ontario non-profit and labour groups Presentation to Canadian Community Networks Conference and founding meeting of Telecommunities Canada, August 15-17, 1994, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario Constructive Advice Introduction: E-Connections is an ONIP (Ontario Network Infrastructure Program) sponsored feasibility study to develop a plan for providing compatible electronic mail (e-mail) to all major community based non-profit and labour organizations in Ontario. ONIP was created in the Spring of 1993 by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade as part of the action plan designed to support the vision (recommended by the Advisory Committee on a Telecommunications Strategy for the Province of Ontario) of "Ontario, and Canada...[as the] best place in the world to live, work, learn and do business through telecommunications". $100 million in jobsONTARIO Capital funding was made available to invest in Ontario's telecommunications infrastructure through a four-year Ontario Network Infrastructure Program (ONIP). ONIP's program "is intended to accelerate the development and use in Ontario of a modern, advanced information infrastructure which includes a vast array of services and information in multiple media- data, text, voice, and video-delivered through high-capacity, interoperable networks to every home, office, school, factory and laboratory in the province to Ontarians who know how to obtain and use information to meet their needs". (See Appendix 1 for ONIP objectives and current ONIP projects) The E-Connections steering committee and their representatives include: The Canadian Hearing Society (Tom McNeil, Director of Financial Services) Ontario Federation of Labour (Chris Shenk, Research Director) Co-Operative Housing Association of Ontario, Inc. (Bill Morris, Manager, Government Affairs) Ontario Coalition for Better Childcare (Kerry McCuaig, Executive Director) National Action Committee on the Status of Women (Jeri Stubbings). All of the steering committee groups are part of an extended network. CHS is part of a coalition of 4,000 community based non-profit organizations. The OFL provides access to 2,000 local trade unions locals, labour councils and provincial labour organizations. CHAO provides access to more than 650 housing co-ops throughout Ontario and a network of non-profit housing groups. The Ontario Coalition provides access to more than 3,000 non-profit child care centres across Ontario. NAC is an umbrella organization for approximately 600 women's groups across Canada. E-Connections Goals: The ultimate goal of E-Connections is to develop and design facilities that will provide a simple and interoperable e-mail service for the non-profit and labour sector in Ontario. It is envisioned that E-Connections would be self-sufficient within three working years and would train thousands of workers, managers, and volunteers in the use of computer networking technology. The three specific goals E-Connections has for the current phase of the project include: 1) a report on e-mail use & information automation in the non-profit and labour sector; 2) a proposal and business plan for the implementation of E-Connections; and 3) training and promotional materials in support of E- Connections. E-Connections Survey: To help accomplish these goals we are conducting a survey within the Ontario non-profit sector. The survey (to be disseminated in September to a representative sample of non-profits within each sector represented by the E-Connections steering committee) is designed to: 1) determine the use of traditional communication tools, such as telephone, fax, the postal service; and the level of existing use of computers and e-mail systems by non-profit and labour groups; 2) understand the various user needs for e-mail and computer networking in different non-profit and labour sectors; 3) ascertain barriers to e-mail and computer networking use in non-profit and labour organizations; and 4) ascertain interest in gaining e-mail access and joining E-Connections. E-Connections Report on E-Mail and Computer Networking in Non-Profit and Labour Organizations: The report on e-mail use and information automation in the non-profit sector will include the following research. Much of this research will be of interest to other non-profit and community- based groups, particularly those seeking ONIP funding, and it is hoped that this research can be shared co-operatively. *What is e-mail? Uses and applications; positive and negative benefits. *What is computer conferencing? Uses and applications; positive and negative benefits. *What is the Internet? Uses and applications. *What computer networking resources exist in Canada, and what are current initiatives? CA*net CANARIE Stentor's Vision Statement: "The Information Highway: Canada's road to economic and social renewal" Information Highway Advisory Council Telecommunities Canada Coalition for Public Information CLA (Canadian Library Association) Information and Telecommunication Access Principles *Outline of current activities in Ontario Council for an Ontario Information Infrastructure ONIP projects electronic links with government ministries *Possible Cooperative Ventures: Free-Nets in Ontario, including NCF, Toronto FreeNet; and those in the planning stages, including Sudbury FreeNet, Homenet (Huron, Oxford, Middlesex, Elgin and Perth counties), Halinet (Halton and Peel regions), Durham Free-Net Inc., Windsor Regional Free Access Network. Environmental InterNetwork (OEN-Ontario Environmental Network and NirvCentre (Web), with partners including Recycling Council of Ontario, International Institute for Sustainable Development, York University, and Open Text Corporation). Other ONIP projects: Community Planning Network Social Planning Council Multilingual Service FreeSpace--Telecommunity Development Group The Community Centre for Information Access (Toronto's Broadview-Greenwood area; Dennis Mills, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry) *Non-Profits, E-mail, and Computer Networking: examples of systems designed for non-profits: The Web/APC (Association for Progressive Communications) Networks Web is a founding member of the Association for Progressive Communications, serving large and small non-profit organizations, individuals, government, and academic institutions. Web is oper- ated by NirvCentre,a nonprofit organization based in Toronto. Other APC nodes are located in London (GreenNet), Stockholm (NordNet), and San Francisco (IGC networks, including PeaceNet, EcoNet, HomeoNet, and ConflictNet). HandsNet HandsNet is a U.S.-based non-profit information and communication network linking approxmately 3,000 public interest and human service organizations representing national research centers, direct service providers, local, state and federal government agencies, legal service programs, public policy advocates and grassroots community coalitions. CompuMentor San Francisco based nonprofit that provides technical assistance to other nonprofits, frequently through the services of volunteer mentors. *E-Connections Steering Members and a description of their needs Groups which use e-mail: CHS/Envoy, now named TheNet:Mail, this service is managed by Worldlinx, a subsidiary of Bell Canada. Internet e-mail is available to users through their new gateway. OFL/SoliNet, "Solidarity Network". The largest of all the union systems, SoliNet is run by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), headquartered in Ottawa. It has extensive conference areas and is used across Canada by CUPE members and other unionists. Access is through Datapac or Telnet. NAC/Zoomit Corporation, Toronto *Internet resources for each group=A9s sector, including: women's groups (U.S.-based Women's Wire and Echo/WON; Web and APC resources) labour housing health-related non-profits *Networking resources for rural and northern groups *Networking resources for use by disabled groups *Issues related to e-mail and computer networking Privacy & Security--how can personal encryption tools be developed; what are the recommendations of Ontario's Information and Privacy Commissioner (Tom Wright's) report on e-mail policy. Telework--for instance, what did Go Home..and Stay There?: a PSAC (Public Service Alliance of Canada) Response to Telework) in the Federal Public Service recommend? *Training How can non-profit groups gain network literacy? Often non- profit organizations are beset with high staff turn-over; and there is a need to train volunteers. An ongoing training plan will need to be identified, which will provide both hands-on training and a manual for training. *Technical Recommendations E-Connections is a technical challenge. Ontario's diverse non-profit sector consists of a varied group, from one person in an office in the North, to large and technically endowed organizations. The existing network infrastructure within the office LAN (local area network) is not interoperable with the available wide area services. (For instance, at most, a few ethernet segments bridged or attached to a Novell server, dial-up access facility, or proprietary e-mail systems). The existing wide area service infrastructure is limited by either cost or scope of deployment. In addition, many groups have specific requirements that imply levels of reliability, privacy, and security not ambient in the current technology. How can one develop coherent tools with usable interfaces? How can one "push the mail out" to the users? (For more details see Ian Duncan's talk, "Swift, Sawyer, Thumb" on Tuesday afternoon). As well, a Technical Support Plan must be developed. Non-Profits and the Information Infrastructure Although it would seem that computer networking could be a natural medium for many non-profits, these organizations are often beset with problems that don't effect the for-profit sectors. These barriers to access include the cost of the hardware and software, cost of network connections, lack of computer or network literacy, lack of appropriate technical support, and high turn-over rate for staff and volunteers. Questions to consider include: How can non-profit organizations increase their access to the information infrastructure? What type of content will encourage non-profits to use the information infrastructure? Non-profits need to become information providers as well; consider cooperative arrangements with free-nets. What types of of low-cost and interactive access should the information infrastructure provide for non-profits? How can a non-profit electronic community be built? How can e-mail and computer networking assist (and perhaps change) the work of nonprofit and community organizations? Identify the needs that e-mail and computer networking can address, such as: cost-effective communication cooperative resource sharing fostering of collaborative work lessening a sense of isolation amongst diverse and geographically disparate groups private conferencing for strategy work "real-time" conferencing outreach to the public *Work in integrating the needs of non-profit groups into current policy discussions. Ontarian, and Canadian, non-profit organizations need to make sure that their needs and concerns are heard by the Information Highway Advisory Council. What policies will advance the public interest--to include free-nets, community-based systems, non-profit organizations, libraries, K-12 schools, local BBSs, and the public at large--rather than just telecommunication conglomerates, industry, and the business sector? How can the information infrastructure promote the goals of non-profits: education, health care, social service delivery,and public information? How can we ensure that the fee structure for the emergent information infrastructure will be affordable and allow for equitable participation by a diversity of people and organizations? How can we minimize the disparity between the have's and the have-not's--the technologically rich and the technologically poor? (Recent U.S. initiatives are worth exploring--see Appendix 2). E-Connections, in cooperation with other groups such as Telecommunities Canada and The Coalition for Public Informaton (CPI) (who is formulating "Future Knowledge: a Public Policy Framework for the Information Highway") can help to: --inform non-profit organizations about the key policy issues surrounding current information superhighway debates --ensure greater participation by non-profit and labour groups in the information infrastructure. --ensure that the needs of non-profit and labour groups are heard by the Information Highway Advisory Council Another suggestions is to start up a Usenet newsgroup for Canadian non-profits, soc.org.nonprofit.can. (Soc.org.nonprofit concentrates mostly on U.S. issues).Topics to be addressed could include: what issues are faced by nonprofit groups?; what specific issues face the people in the less-advantaged sectors of society?; how can technology (and in particular, telecommunications) help non-profits?; what are some effective volunteer recruitment and management techniques?; fundraising project issues; grants resources; partnerships with other nonprofits; provincial and federal ministry relationships; resources (including management, human resource, information systems, legal, marketing and communications, operations management, program management, resource development, financial management, etc.). For more information about E-Connections, contact: Leslie Shade Ian Duncan E-Connections Coordinators c/o Co-Operative Housing Association of Ontario (CHAO) 2 Berkeley St., Suite 207 Toronto, Ontario M5A 2W3 416-366-1711 fax: 416-366-3576 Internet: ac900@freenet.carleton.ca Appendix 1: The eight objectives of ONIP are: 1) increase access to an advanced information infrastructure throughout Ontario; 2) accelerate the development of high capacity interoperable networks; 3) accelerate the development and introduction of new network-related products and services; 4) increase Ontario expertise and knowledge in the development, management and operation of advanced networks; 5) increase the number of network users with the knowledge and ability to obtain and use information; 6) increase output and/or cost savings, within and across economic sectors in Ontario; 7) lever more investment in Ontario's information infrastructure; 8) result in a portfolio of assisted projects which reflects the diversity of Ontario's population and communities. Current ONIP projects (as outlined in Full Speed Ahead: the First Year report of the Council for an Ontario Information Infrastructure) include: Projects Completed: Northwest Ontario Telecommunications Pilot Project Telecom based local economic development study covering Atikokan, Sioux Lookout and three First Nations Communities Business Plan Completed: LARG*net: London Medical Image Network Business plan for a broadband network focusing on medical image transfer among London hospitals and research institutes OCRinet Business plan for a broadband ATM switched network connecting high tech research facilities in the Ottawa area Projects Underway: National Capital FreeNet Implementation of a community based information network ONet Networking-Reseau ONet Ontario's research and education network enhancement Elliot Lake Economic Diversification Study An economic development study of the telecommunications infrastructure in Elliot Lake and region Toronto FreeNet Inc. Implementation of a computerized community information network Wawatay Communications Network Pilot Project Pre- Implementation Strategy A feasibility study addressing options to address the telecommunications requirements of remote Nishnawbe-Aski Nation communities Muskoka*Net Business plan to develop a community network in the Muskoka region Ontario Learning and Technology Exchange Consortium (OLTEC) Feasibility study for a =AAvirtual classroom=BA focusing on technical training for engineers and technologists Projects Commencing: E-Connections Feasibility study of the viability of linking a number of not-for-profit organizations Intercom Ontario Feasibility study for a large scale field trial to demonstrate and develop interactive broadband sys- tems; applications and services over cable and telephone wires Environmental InterNetwork Implementation funding to link hundreds of separate sources of enviornmental information into a single user-friendly network; developed by OEN-Ontario Environmental Network and NirvCentre (Web), with partners including Recycling Council of Ontario, International Institute for Sustainable Development, York University, and Open Text Corporation. Projects Recommended to the Government by the Council: LARG*net--Council recommended support for project OCRinet--Council recommended support for project Notices Reviewed/Applications Encouraged by the Council Sudbury Freenet Performing Arts Box-Office Timmins Video Conferencing Proposal Community Planning Network Homenet Halinet BlissNet (CMC) Durham Free-Net Inc. Windsor Regional Free Access Network Waterloo County Board of Education EDnet-Education Network First Nation ANISH Network Toronto Health Network (THN) Social Planning Council Multilingual Service The Educational Network of Ontario (Ontario Teachers Federation) Types of Assistance: Feasibility Study and Business Plan Project Assistance: may provide up to 75% of eligible costs to a grant maximum of $75,000 Network Implementation Project Assistance may provide up to 50% of eligible costs for implementing networks and services for up to 3 years. Information on ONIP: ONIP Information Infrastructure Branch Ministry of Economic Devlopment and Trade 20th Floor, 77 Bloor St.W. Toronto, Ont. M7A 2R9 1-416-326-9600 fax: 1-416-326-9654 Internet: onip@gov.on.ca Appendix 2: U.S. initiatives re non-profits: The Center for Media Education's (CME) "Nonprofits and the Information Superhighway" project, including a publication, The Telecommunications Monthly for Nonprofits". Contact; CME, 511 K Street, NW, Suite 518, Washington, DC 20005, (202)628-2620, Fax: (202)628-2554 cme@access.digex.net The Telecommunications Policy Roundtable, a coalition of nonprofits launched last fall to promote a public interest vision for the National Information Infrastructure (their roundtable principles have been endorsed by groups such as the American Library Association, America's Public Television Stations, Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, the Consumer Federation of America, and the National Coalition on Black Voter Participation).Contact: Jeff Chester, Center for Media Education, 202/628-2620, cme@access.digex.net or Prue Adler, Association of Research Libraries, 202/296-8656, prue@cni.org The nonprofits mailing list, usnonprofit-l, sponsored by the Santa Barbara RAIN Network in Santa Barbara, California is a discussion group for issues facing nonprofit organizations, and the people in the less-advantaged sectors of society that they serve. (To subscribe, mail to: majordomo@rain.org; in the message, type: subscribe usnonprofit-l (no name necessary)). Other mailing lists include: Fundlist, which concentrates mostly on the higher education community, including fundraisers, alumni directors, prospect researchers. To subscribe to fundlist send email to: LISTSERV@JHUVM.HCF.JHU.EDU (or LISTSERV@JHUVM.BITNET). The soc. org. nonprofit newsgroup The San Diego, California based BBS located at Catholic Charities provides electronic mail capabilities for local agencies to send e-mail. (For information contact A. David Almada, Computer Coordinator, Catholic Charities, San Diego/RIS, (619) 287- 9454 Daytime; 280-0555 Evening). Cliff Landesman , has started a library for donors interested in learning about non-profit organizations called "The Internet Nonprofit Center". Initially located at Envi- rolink and in the building stages. Content includes: "Best Buys for Big Hearts: organizations that receive the American Institute of Philanthropy's highest ratings"; "A directory of nonprofit organi-zations with annual incomes over $1 million"; annual reports of nonprofit organizations; financial information about charities, based on government documents. Access: via gopher:gopher envirolink.org 7. EnviroOrgs 6. Internet NonProfit Center; via W3: gopher://envirolink.org/11/.EnviroOrgs/.inc. HandsNet WEEKLY DIGEST "provides headlines and highlights from a small selection of the hundreds of valuable policy, program and resource articles posted by members each week in HandsNet's full-text information forums". (408-257-4500; hn0003@handsnet.org. A World Wide Web server, Nonprofit organizations on the Internet: http://www.ai.mit.edu/people/ellens/non.html Recent legislation, S. 2195, introduced by Senate Communications Subcommittee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-HI) aims to ensure that schools, libraries, public broadcasters, and non-profit organizations which promote local artistic, political and social speech, are included in the NII. The Technology Resource Consortium (TRC) has submitted a planning grant to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, "Building Nonprofit NII Interactions: a comprehensive proposal by TRC to prepare for broadscale nonprofit access to the NII". The TRC will produce a portrait of the non-profit sector's needs for the NII; a plan to increase access to the NII by the non-profit sector; content recommendations to motivate non-profits to access the NII; and a plan to provide low-cost and interactive access to the NII through community connections. Contact westnet@desktop.org for the narrative. Art McGee's Community/Rural/Civic/Local Related Online Information. Available: via anonymous FTP from ftp.netcom.com and ftp.igc.apc.org in directory:pub/amcgee/community gopher.igc.apc.org and garnet.berkeley.edu 1250 The site is located under the heading of "race" or "ethnicity" on each gopher. Latest version of list is available by sending email to or fingering: CommInfo: [amcgee@grex.cyberspace.org] Communet: Community and Civic Network Discussion List. COMMUNET@UVMVM.UVM.EDU. To subsribe: Listserv@UVMVM.UVM.EDU Appendix 3: Canadian Initiatives: Telecommunities Canada can-freenet mailing list: can-freenet@cunews.carleton.ca. All requests should be addressed to list-processor@cunews.carleton.ca The Coalition for Public Information (CPI). To subscribe to their mailing list (Co_Pub_Info) e-mail listproc@resudox.net, and in the message body write Subscribe CPI-L. CPI, an initiative of the Ontario Library Association, "is a national coalition of information developers, providers and educators dedicated to ensuring public access and of the evolving electronic information infrastructure in Canada... CPI will encourage the development of change strategies and institutional readiness, and provide the public education and awareness, that is required to adapt to tomorrow's information technology paradigms. The Coalition will provide a mechanism for public input, debate and education concerning the developing information highway". Newsgroups: can-info-highway can-infobahn These lists are by no means meant to be definitive in scope. Please send any corrections, additions, or deletions to us. -- Garth Graham aa127@freenet.carleton.ca Coordinator, Canadian Community Networks Conference, and founding meeting, Telecommunities Canada, Aug. 15-17, 1994 Box 86, Ashton, Ont., K0A 1B0, 613-253-3497