Online event planning checklist
The article by Nancy with the above title comes closest to what I was looking for. The fourth point on "technology" should have probably been expanded to give a kind of procedures step by step on how to establish the CoP technically.
We are done now, I think and the opportunity is lost. Or maybe we can still dialogue with the technical team? Luca and others?
Herman.
Online event planning checklist
The article by Nancy with the above title comes closest to what I was looking for. The fourth point on "technology" should have probably been expanded to give a kind of procedures step by step on how to establish the CoP technically.
We are done now, I think and the opportunity is lost. Or maybe we can still dialogue with the technical team? Luca and others?
Herman.
Learning about starting-up a DGroup from scratch
I have learnt a lot of important things that are to be done during an online event; I may have missed something since I cant seem to have learnt how to set up a DGroup from scratch. Some things were said about the tools, technology and support group but not how to put everything together to start up a DGroup online. Please correct me if I am wrong and I will be happy to find and use the resources .
Facilitator qualities
The list is is quite comprehensive and impressive. I doubt if anyone can really acquire all these skills without divine intervention! Anyhow, let see the details:
Knowledge of self (personal qualities)
- all the bulleted points are important; however, one has to strike a balance between attributes and not go to the extreme. For example, too much emphathy will be at the expense of objectivity; too much tolerance for ambiguity may cause one to lose sight of the real issues and so on.
Knowledge base
- very powerful tools to have. We have all been acquiring these skills as we developed. This is a great help to put them in perspective.
Facilitation skills
- Same as above. However, bearing in mind the differences between F2F and online, we have been practicing most of these skills within the organisation.
Technology skills
This is where I do have a lot to learn. I have never used wikis and some of the software discussed. I can see how they can greatly assist with setting up and facilitating online communities.
Online interaction experience
- This is very challenging, especially the work with cross cultural groups that we have to face in our networks.
Purpose checklist
1. The goal of the group, the Caribbean Plant Genetic Resources Network (CAPGERNet), is to contribute to the most efficient management of the plant genetic resources in the Caribbean
2. Members will benefit through the exchange of valuable information (scientific methods, protocols, description of different kinds of plant germplasms held by various germplasm collections around the world etc) and various kinds of plant germplasm
3. Both the members (National Coordinators and their national groups of scientists) and the Regional Coordinator will determine the outputs; actually the need of each site of work will determine their needs and therefore the desired output. However there will arise overarching regional goals from time to time
4. CAPGERNet fits into an umbrella organisation called PROCICARIBE which houses other networks and is administered by an executive secretary
5. The purpose of this network can be achieved in great part by online interaction if the members are motivated at the required level. However, other forms of communication will become necessary from time to time
6. The terget audience of CAPGERNet comprises geneticists, breeders, biotechnologists, agronomists, botanists, environmentalists/conservationists, curators of germplasm collections, natural scientists, administrators of natural resources, farmers, landscapers etc
7. The participants will benefit from much need information relevant to the species they are working with; they can exchange information with other similar networks in the other regions around the world; for example, if an island wants to find a certain kind of coconut cultivar it can get in touch with the cocnut network called COGENT. There are numerous networks that this group will have to be linked.
8. I need to draw up a list of all the existing National Coordinators of the Caribbean; where they do not exist, I must contact the Permanent Secretaries (or an equivalent functionary) of the Ministries of Agriculture (or an equivalent organisation). There are over 23 countries that must become members of the group. Each country should have a National Coordinator who will link all the national stakeholders with the Regional Coordinator. However each scientist/stakeholder can contact any other member independently
9 I think this group has to be a public one. Is there any other option that will equally promote open participation and provide some kinds of safeguards? (question for Luca and Nancy)
10. The discussions will be on different topics raised by members but from time to time a central theme will emerge that will require the focus of the group. For example, now we have to feed information on the germplasm collections of the Caribbean into the Global Crop Diversity Trust in order to formulate a hemispheric strategy for the strengthening of these germplasm collections
11. This task has to be done by the end of August 2006.
12. The members of CAPGERNet already had meetings of an open democratic nature. Any other rule will be one of reciprocity
13. Some decisions need concensus; others will be made by the relevant function of Executive Secretary of PROCICARIBE, the Regional Coordinator or the National Coordinator of CAPGERNet
14' The Regional Coordinator should host the interaction space
9.
What have I learnt for the week?
I have learnt about BLOGGING, facilitating online and FTF and a whole lot of stuff about the Dgroup.
H Adams.
