Twin Cities Free-Net (R)

Strategic Direction


This revision was approved by the TCFN Board of Directors on March 6, 2002. The previous version is here. This document is intended mainly for the TCFN Board of Directors, volunteers, and selected potential partners of TCFN. It lists goals and long-term strategies, leaving short-term tactics to the Operating Plan.

Contents

  1. Mission and Focus:
  2. Computer Recycling:
  3. Free Internet Access:
  4. Finding Adequate Funding
  5. Roles of the People Involved

Section 1. Mission and Focus

Vision Statement
We envision a future in which everyone in the Twin Cities has full access to Internet resources.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Twin Cities Free-Net is to provide the means for everyone in the Twin Cities to access Internet resources.
About the Mission
Focus
We will focus our efforts in two areas:
  1. Computer recycling: Matching used computer equipment with those who need it.
  2. Free Internet service: Providing e-mail and Web access to the regional public.

We may also work on additional projects if they support these focus areas.

Strategies
We will employ five strategies to fulfill our mission:
  1. We will provide e-mail and Web access.
  2. We will make this service available and accessible to the regional public.
  3. We will work with other organizations to better identify and train those who are most in need of our service.
  4. We will build and maintain a corps of volunteers to work on our projects and related projects of other organizations.
  5. We will obtain adequate funding to continue operation.
Rationale: TCFN's Past and Present Mission

Twin Cities Free-Net's past strategic plans have emphasized the importance of technology as a tool for building community rather than as a goal in itself. Unfortunately, this emphasis caused us to largely disregard the people who needed help the most, since they were unreceptive to the idea of online community building and just wanted to get online. Now other options for online community building have become available to those who want them, yet the "Digital Divide" persists.

In the past we considered text to be the most important content of the Internet, and so we provided text-only Internet access exclusively. Three factors have convinced us that we should now provide full Internet access. First, the Internet has become so widely known that people expect to receive graphical access. Second, the people who most need assistance getting online often have trouble with literacy or English, and graphics can help them find the information they need. Third, the quality of used equipment that corporations donate to nonprofit ventures has increased to the point that there is no longer any reason to expect people to use text-only devices.

A few years ago, there did not appear to be any need for a nonprofit Internet provider in the Twin Cities, because there were several commercial free Internet providers in the area. These have since gone out of business, and so the demand remains. Public computer centers are an excellent way to address much of this demand, but they can only be open limited hours, and they are not yet within walking distance of everyone in the region, so there are still advantages to home computers.

Section 2: Computer Recycling

Existing Operations
We will identify existing computer recycling projects in the Twin Cities and work with them rather than competing against them.
Workshop Space
We will need warehouse space large enough to store incoming donations, works in progress, and finished systems in an organized fashion, as well as workshop space where as many as a dozen volunteers may work comfortably.
Equipment Donations
We will accept donations from individuals, but we will solicit them primarily from corporations that can donate a number of identical systems at once, in order to cut down on configuration and support time.
Equipment Leasing
We will explore the possibility of leasing rather than selling the equipment we provide, in order to cultivate an ongoing relationship with the people we serve, and to discourage people from reselling the equipment at a higher price than we charged them. Leasing also would allow someone with a broken machine to obtain an immediate replacement instead of a prolonged repair.
Prioritization of Recipients
First priority will be given to existing Free-Net members who are using outdated equipment such as Exeltel terminals. From that point on, we will work through other organizations to identify people who lack computer equipment due to poverty. Computer centers that serve poor communities will also be high on our list of recipients, since a single computer in a lab can impact many people's lives. We will not turn recipients away on the basis of income, but we will only promote our services to underserved communities.
Training and Support
Our goal in configuring the computer systems will be to make trianing and technical support largely unnecessary. We may pursue this goal by disabling all but the most necessary software features, or by standardizing the hardware and software so that questions can be answered in a FAQ sheet, or by other means. It will be necessary to set strict limitations on what software we promise to support; people who choose to use unsupported software will be referred to local users' groups or to the computer section of the public library. We will work with other organizations to train people who have language or literacy barriers, since teaching English is beyond the scope of our expertise.
Disposal of Hazardous Materials
We will strive to dispose of unusable equipment in an ecologically responsible manner. In the case of cathode-ray tubes (CRTs), which contain mercury, this will mean paying a disposal fee. We may be able to offset this cost by selling circuit boards, which often contain gold.
Volunteers
We will make our workshop attractive to technologically savvy volunteers by allowing them free use of the facilities and encouraging them to take home equipment that is not appropriate for beginning users. We will strive to match volunteers with tasks that interest them, whether hardware, software, configuration, or support. We will also refer volunteers to other related organizations.

Section 3: Free Internet Access

Existing Operations
Since all free, commercial Internet providers other than Juno have recently gone out of business, we do not expect competition at this time. In the event that another organization offers free Internet access, we will cooperate with them towards our common goal.
Infrastructure
As yet we do not know the details of how we will offer full Internet access. These details will be left to the appropriate committee.
Registration Process
We will simplify the process of registering and renewing Free-Net member accounts so that it can be done without paperwork. Donations will still be encouraged, but the requirement of sending in a paper form has contributed nearly as much to our expenses as to our income, and it can discourage people from signing up in the first place.
Terms of Service
Depending on the infrastructure we use to provide the service, we may or may not have to place restrictions on use such as connection time limits, bandwidth limits, or monthly usage limits. Details will be left to the appropriate committee. Users will be held to an Acceptable Use Policy which says that they will not use the Free-Net to break any law or violate other users' privacy.
Prioritization of Recipients
As with computer recycling, we will not turn people away on the basis of income, but we will promote our services exclusively through channels that reach underserved people.
Training and Support
Again we will strive to make the service so simple to use that training will be largely unnecessary, and we will set strict limitations on what software we promise to support. Technical support will be provided via telephone by volunteers who check a voicemail account.
Volunteers
Volunteers will be rewarded with free Internet access of their own and use of the server. We will refer volunteers who are interested in Web design and other marketable skills to organizations that are in need of those services.

Section 4: Finding Adequate Funding

Member Donations
We will continue to offer Internet service to individuals free of charge, but we will encourage voluntary donations. We will suggest a donation amount that allows us to meet our expenses, but donors will be free to use their own discretion.
Fees for Service
Within the constraints of IRS guidelines, we may charge for services we provide. We will charge monthly fees to those who lease equipment from us, setup fees for computer networks, and attendance fees for classes. Those who cannot pay will be given the option of volunteering.
Sales of Equipment
If a recipient chooses to buy rather than lease equipment, we will suggest a price based on the number of years we expect it to keep working.
Grants
Grant funding is a satisfying supplement to regular income and a vital facilitator for new projects, but we cannot count on it in the long term. We will submit proposals for new projects, particularly for partnerships with other organizations, but we will strive to make each grant pay for itself in long-term benefits to the Free-Net and the community.

Section 5: Roles of the People Involved

Staff

TCFN is primarily a volunteer organization, but paid staff members may at times be the most effective way to get the necessary work done. For the safety of the organization, the staff members should not become indispensible; rather, they should make certain that the details of their jobs are available for others to read in the event of a departure.

The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for documenting how tasks are done, recruiting volunteers, and matching volunteers to tasks. This position may be filled by a volunteer, a board member, an intern, a contractor, or an employee, depending on availability of funds.

Board of Directors
The board meets monthly to review new developments, set the strategic direction of the organization, and oversee the staff. Board members are also expected to play a major role in promoting the Free-Net and raising funds.
Committees
Internet access and computer recycling will each be overseen by a committee consisting of one or more board members and any other volunteers who attend meetings. Additional committees may be created as necessary.
Interns
Modifications to the status quo and in particular limited-time projects may call for the short-term devotion of interns. Interns will help with volunteer coordination, system administration, training, and building awareness. When funded by grants, they may work with partner organizations. The staff and/or board will oversee interns and ensure that they document the work that they do before leaving.
Volunteers

Volunteers will do the majority of the Free-Net's work. They will maintain the server and dialup lines. They will test and configure equipment. They will teach classes and provide technical support. They will maintain the member database. The staff will coordinate all volunteer activities and keep track of what was done and how.

Volunteers will be provided with specific job descriptions if they like, but they will be encouraged to change the descriptions to match their own interests. Volunteerism at the Free-Net will be promoted as a way to gain valuable work experience and to have fun.

Partnerships
Free-Net partner organizations might provide office space, share an Internet connection, maintain our phone lines, pay for classes, translate our help files, and promote the Free-Net to their constituents. In return, they and their constituents will receive the use of our services.
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