Neighborhood Information Technology Forums

Description	These Technology Forums would build on last year’s community computer fair, but scaled down with greater neighborhood ownership. The City would provide financial support to the local organizers. Local targeting will increase the potential for ongoing projects, local ownership and enable forums to be focused on community needs and timed to neighborhood action (i.e. planning for neighborhood centers or in conjunction with other neighborhood events). This could be a kickoff for a matching fund application, an information age campaign or connected neighborhood project.
Vision:	Draw in people who are not computer literate or computer-phobic. Use the forums to provide a concrete benefit (i.e. get email) and/or develop collaborative projects and neighborhood information technology.
Need:	Leveraging the matching fund resources of the community encourages ownership and ensures long-term sustainability.
Activities:	Hold at least 2 forums per year. Development of an RFP process for the forums CTTAB and City staff work with local organizing committees to plan the agendas and connect the planning groups to information technology resources. Internet and email sign up. Town meeting discussions and project planning.
Outcomes:	Community awareness of access availability in their neighborhood. Forum for synthesizing community goals with technology opportunities and needs. Opportunity for technology developers, users and educators around a community.
Project Management	A local organization would be responsible for forum implementation. The Technology Division would play an active role and manage the funding agreements.
Resources Needed	Staff time to develop an RFP for the forums Publicity/ community encouragement CTTAB members willing to help plan the forums Local sponsoring organizations Staff to administer the contracts
Potential Partners	Neighborhood councils and local community organizations and businesses, Department of Neighborhoods and Human Services Department. Community clubs and agencies serving refugees and ethnic communities. Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, Seattle Community Network, Black Data Processing Associate and other technology groups. Library ,Schools Community labs
Evaluation	Development of specific projects to occur after the forums. Diverse participation, particularly by information techology beginners A large number of people have signed up for Internet/ email accounts or classes or volunteer time at a community lab.
Timeline	There would be one funding cycles per year though there may a portion of funds may be offered at another time as a small and simple fund, as is the case currently. First request deadline may be September to enable outreach and proposal development.
Funding Proposed	$40,000 ($21,000 of this is carryover from the 1997-98 Summit budget)

Citizen Literacy and Access Fund Proposals for Technology Literacy and Access Projects 1999-2000

Citizen Literacy and Access Fund
Proposals for Technology Literacy and Access Projects 1999-2000