The Web Community Task Force Report

This task force was formed to explore and develop more effective ways to “web” us together electronically as we continue the work begun at the Springboard Gathering. We welcome those with interest and skills in this arena to join us. —David Dunn, Byrne Johnson, Gordon Harper

In our brief time together, we focused on three milestones or accomplishments.

1. The creation of a “Guild Portal.” This is a simple, user friendly “starting point” web page with clickable links to the variety of websites and listservs that now serve as our collective resources and communication mechanisms. Not a content site itself, it is a launching pad from which to access such resources as the Dialogue and OE listservs, obtain the JWM talks and biography, learn about the Springboard Event and track its projects, access the Repository, the Earthrise witnesses, daily reflections, a calendar of upcoming activities, etc.

This project is scheduled to be operational by April 15th.

2. The Needed Electronic Capacities and Available Skills Query. One aspect of this constitutes initiating a wider conversation over what electronic capacities we will require in the coming months and years in order to support our ongoing activities. The other aspect involves discovering where we already have resources or particular skills in some of these electronic arenas or know people who do. We anticipate asking these questions and beginning to gather this information through questions posted on our major listservs.

Scheduled to be initiated by April 8th.

3. Identifying, Testing and Piloting an On Line Collaborative Technology. This project entails researching and testing electronic technologies that will allow for dispersed colleagues to participate more productively in future on site gatherings as well as in gatherings that may be totally virtual. We anticipate finding ways in which any of us who wish can engage, as much as possible in real time, in our collective thinking, discussing and planning, whether we are physically present at these or not.

Scheduled to be selected, tested and rolled out by early June, possibly around the planning of the proposed August Springboard gathering.

-- GordonHarper - 25 Oct 2007