PROJECT MANAGEMENT The National Capital FreeNet is the responsibility of its eight- member Board of Directors. Four standing committees work under the Board's direction and advise it on matters related to the operation of NCF: - The "Ways and Means Committee" seeks funds to develop and maintain the NCF, and advises on appropriate regulations governing FreeNet use; - The "Hardware and Software Committee" advises on equipment and programme installation and maintenance; - The "Community Relations Committee" solicits and encourages community involvement in the provision of information and in the use of the NCF; - The "Systems Design and Research Committee" determines and evaluates information needs, user activities, and standards of information format, computer-user dialogues, training manuals and workshops. Members of the Board and of the standing committees are volunteers drawn from a wide range of community organizations including regional government, local public libraries, community social service and health centres, OCTranspo, and the Department of Communications. General meetings are held about once each month but most committee business is conducted via FreeNet. A "Project Steering Committee", reporting to the Board, is responsible for meeting the demonstration project objectives of the NCF as set by the Board of Directors. The Steering Committee is comprised of the chairs of the standing committees. Daily operations of the NCF are the joint responsibility of the paid staff. - the "Project Administrator" is responsible to the Steering Committee for managing the NCF office, developing funding and publicity campaigns, and maintaining good public relations; - the "Systems Administrator" is responsible to the Project Administrator for the daily operation and maintenance of the FreeNet computer system and communication hardware, and for software development and modifications; - the "Subscription and Operation Assistants" are responsible to the Project Administrator for processing subscription applications, creating and updating user and provider accounts, sending subscription renewal reminders and other matters related to system access; - the "Writer/Trainer" is responsible to the Project Administrator for developing all manuals and training materials, conducting training workshops, and answering questions about FreeNet use; - the "Researcher" is responsible to the Project Administrator for monitoring use of the FreeNet, and for designing and conducting relevant user surveys and evaluation research; - the "Accountant" is responsible to the Project Administrator for maintaining proper financial records of the NCF. The diagram below summarizes the organizational structure of the National Capital FreeNet. Board of Directors | | | | Standing Committees Project Steering Ways and Means Committee Hardware and Software | Community Relations Project Administrator Systems Design and | Research Office Staff: System Administrator Subscription Assistants Writer/Trainer Researcher Accountant