Operating Plan

As of March 7, 2001

This document is intended to list short-term tactics for accomplishing the longer-term strategies and goals listed in the Strategic Direction document. The tactics listed here are roughly in order of importance.

1. We will focus on C-CAN as a framework for accomplishing our mission through partnerships with other organizations.
   • C-CAN gives TCFN a regional, community-oriented approach for outreach, so that more people in need of our services can be served more effectively.
   • C-CAN gives participating agencies, including TCFN, the ability to work together on shared problems, such as processing donations of used equipment and disposing of unusable equipment, or applying for grants.
   • TCFN has the mission and experience to lead C-CAN to its full potential.
2. We will conduct a cost-benefit analysis of each of the Free-Net's projects.
   • In 2000 we acknowledged that each of the Free-Net's services (text dialup, conferencing, system administration, C-CAN, Web hosting, Web portal) are largely independent of each other and divided up the volunteer corps accordingly. Now we need to know how much each project costs and how much it's worth to us and to the community we intend to serve.
   • This analysis will require new accounting methods to track income, expenses, staff time, and volunteer time.
3. We will improve our promotional and training materials.
   • People find out about the Free-Net and its projects through its brochures and Web site, as well as through word of mouth. We must keep our Web site and brochures up to date and attractive.
   • Training materials are necessary for our own online services as well as for the C-CAN agencies. We must strive to make these materials accessible to people who are new to computers, who have difficulties with literacy, or who speak languages other than English.
4. We will continue to treat training as a funding source.
   • There is still an unmet need among nonprofit organizations for informal, small-group training in the basics of computer use, Internet research, and Web site design.
   • C-CAN opens up additional opportunities for training in C-CAN member centers, or using the Digital Access mobile lab.
5. We will explore options for outsourcing our online services to other, like-minded organizations.
   • Our reseller agreements with OpenSRS (domain registration) and Inet7 (Web hosting) have been well received and mutually beneficial. We may find equally beneficial ways to outsource our Web portal, dialup lines, conferences, and system administration.
   • This is not a commitment to outsource all our services, just a commitment to explore the options.
   • We must keep in mind that the Free-Net is a fundamentally idealistic organization that exists to serve a mission. We must choose our partners carefully for their local roots (e.g. Inet7) and/or their idealism (e.g. OpenSRS).
6. Roles and Responsibilities during this plan:
   • The Director of Organization Services (DOS) will supervise the intern(s) and volunteers, delegating responsibility to them whenever possible. The DOS will be primarily responsible for the oversight of the organization in general and the C-CAN project in particular.
   • The System Administrator(s) will be responsible for the ongoing stability of the server and the services it provides, but they will also explore options for outsourcing those services and relieving us of the need for a server in the long run.
   • The Executive Committee, consisting of the Chair, Secretary, and DOS, will keep abreast of management issues and seek out advice and training to help the DOS's work.
   • The Nominating Committee will keep a list of qualified potential board members on hand so that board seats will not sit vacant.
   • The Finance Committee, consisting of the Treasurer and two or more board members, will oversee the organization's finances, taxes, insurance, and other financial matters. This includes the cost-benefit analysis described above.
   • The Promotion Committee will identify and implement strategies and opportunities to promote the Free-Net's work through press releases, printed materials, events, and the Web site.
   • The Development Committee will identify funding opportunities and apply for them.
   • Board members will be expected to participate actively in at least one committee apiece, and the committees will be expected to meet every month, submitting reports via e-mail one week before each board meeting. Board members that do not actively contribute will be asked to step down.

This site ©2001 by Twin Cities Free-Net.
This page maintained by secretary@tcfreenet.org; Last Modified 2001-03-07.