ACE Friends:
Here is an opportunity to get updated on community networking and its
role in the future of your community.
Contact the conferences directly.
Tom Tate
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CONFERENCE TO HELP COMMUNITIES CREATE ON-LINE INFORMATION NETWORKS
Community leaders, government officials, librarians, teachers, health
care administrators and others who are interested in establishing a
public, computer-based information service in their area are invited
to participate in the Community Information Network (CIN98)
conference, March 22-23, at Marriott's Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage
Beach, Missouri.
"This conference will give citizens a chance to learn about key
factors in the successful establishment and operation of a community
information network," says Ted Gallion, conference planning committee
chair with University Outreach and Extension at the University of
Missouri.
Community Information Networks are free, non-commercial systems
designed to meet current information needs of people and public
agencies. The conference supports the exchange of information among
citizens and communities. There has been vigorous local interest and
activity in CINs across the state. Examples in Missouri include COIN
in Columbia, MAAIN in Mexico, ORION in Springfield, RollaNet in Rolla,
LLION in Laclede, Pulasksi and Webster counties, and WIN in St.
Charles. Many new CINs have been established because of MOExpress, the
governor's initiative started in 1997.
The CIN98 conference theme is "Civic Networking: The Next Generation."
The keynote speaker is Andy Carvin of the Corporation for Public
Broadcasting. Carvin will be speaking on rethinking community
networking as networking communities.
Conference topics include: starting a CIN, legal and policy issues,
sustainability issues - financial and people, CIN success stories, and
an e-rates update. Online demonstrations and a hands-on lab will also
be available.
Four tracks will highlight how existing CINs developed and continue
financial and community support; computers, modem pools, servers,
electronic mail and other technical how-tos; tips on gathering,
organizing, displaying and using local data; and CIN uses in business,
education and leisure.
The conference opens at 12 noon on March 22. Preconference sessions
will begin at 9 a.m. and include recruiting volunteers, an electronic
tour of successful CINs, and JOIN-N, the Jefferson County CIN. Jon
Hall of Quandary Solutions Association Management will also be a
plenary speaker. Another highlight of the conference will be the
formation of the Missouri Association of Community Information
Networks.
The registration fee for the conference is $125; the preconference
session fee is $25. For more information about the conference
program, contact the MU Conference Office at (573) 882-2301. Online
registration is available on the web site at
http://muextension.missouri.edu/conf/cin98.
The conference is co-sponsored by the Missouri Department of Economic
Development, State of Missouri Office of Administration, MOREnet and
University Outreach and Extension.
University Outreach and Extension is the local link between the
resources of the four University of Missouri campuses, Lincoln
University, and people throughout the state.
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Thomas G. Tate, ECS-CSREES-USDA, Room 3901 South Building
Washington, D.C. 20250-0915
(v) 202-720-2727 (f) 202-690-2975
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
ACE Home Page: http://www.sba.gov/ace
ACE Monthly Meeting: 3rd Thursday Morning - 10 am - Noon
8th Floor Conference Room, 409 3rd Street S.W., Washington, DC
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