Telecommunities Canada
April 21, 2003

Letter of Support/ Statement of  Cooperation

    for

Letter of Intent submitted on behalf of the Pacific Community Networks 
Association by Leslie Adams

    to

Voluntary Sector Initiative (VSI). Request for Letters of Intent: 
Information Technology and Information Management (IM/IT) Training & 
Support Network for the Voluntary Sector 
(http://www.vsi-isbc.org/)

__________________

Established in 1995, Telecommunities Canada (www.tc.ca)  promotes the 
Canadian community networking movement at the national and international 
level.  By promoting and supporting local community network initiatives, we 
also work to ensure that all Canadians are able to participate in 
community-based communications and electronic information services.

Our members have led by example in the challenge to make more efficient and 
effective use of technology -- whether by linking existing community-based 
networks together, by providing electronic access to services in the 
community, or by developing local training networks supported by large 
teams of volunteers.

In a recent study conducted for the Office of Learning Technologies, 
Electronic Networks Assisting Employment, TC examined the role of 
electronic community networks in providing employment assistance and skills 
training for Canadians.  We compiled a database of electronic communities, 
surveyed 95 community Web sites, conducted interviews and documented 
examples of best practices. We identified on-line tools and resources -- 
employment resources, learning and distance education resources, and 
internet literacy & other tutorials -- that could be shared among community 
networks (http://www.tc.ca/EmployabilitySkills89293A.html).

A similar project could be conducted at the national level to determine 
training and support available for Canadian voluntary organizations to 
assist them in maximizing their use of electronic networks to deliver 
services.  Once completed, this information could serve as the foundation 
of a national cooperative network that would build on this base to create a 
Canada-wide network facilitating access to IM/IT training and support to 
voluntary sector organizations.

In cooperation with PCCNA,  Telecommunities Canada can encourage the 
involvement of electronic networks by assembling existing resources and 
actively promoting their use by all community-based electronic networking 
organizations. Some of our contributions could include:

-- establishing a toolbox for voluntary associations on the TC Web site as 
a single window to resources providing the voluntary sector with easy 
access to information

-- undertaking a program of research and information to expand upon 
identified resources, ensuring that information remains current and 
capturing new resources as they become available

-- promoting best practices with links to sites demonstrating ways to 
implement a strong focus on training and support services for the voluntary 
sector.

Sincerely - TC