Keeping in Touch
The RSA held their first get together of the new executive this week as a meeting in Lucan, Co. Dublin on November 3rd. There is nothing like a long trip from as far as the west of Ireland of a Novembers's evening to focus our minds on the challenge of operating a rural-based voluntary organisation at a National Level.
While regionalisation may be a concept for down the road, for the moment we are examining ways for all members to be able to keep in touch and work together without necessarily having to travel long distances.
Advances in technology have enabled us to exist as an organisation so far as an organisation on a very small budget through communicating via email and using the website. We need to build on this technology in order for our organisation to grow and work effectively from both a remote rural base and a national level.
We will only achieve this by "taking the bull by the horns" and "going boldly where no human has gone before".
As a starting point we are encouraging all members who have access to an internet connection to install SKYPE on their computers by clicking on the link below (SKYPE is Free to download and for PC to PC calls and teleconferencing.) There are certain system requirements but generally if you PC is no more than 5 or 6 years old it should be no problem. But you will need a headset or at least access to a built in mic and speaker and ideally a webcam. None of these items are very expensive - certainly less than the cost of a round trip to attend a meeting or event from most rural areas.
OK so what if I don't have Broadband or PC?
We are of course concious that not everyone is tech savvy nor have everyone access to the internet but it is essential that we work with those who are initially. If you don't have a PC/Broadband perhaps there is someone nearyby who has.
One idea that we would like to try is have a certain time every month where as many members as possible would meet for a teleconference online.
It is essential that we start to work on this now, not just for own organisation but also in order to pioneer ways in which rural communities can be kept in the picture.
If this is successful it will enable us to deliver training, have virtual meetings and network with other members. One use might be for present students of Rural Development to interact with graduates to discuss course material.
This forum will be available to post questions or submit feedback, we will try and offer as much support as possible.
I will forward my own contact details via email in the coming days and I am happy to talk anyone through the basics of setting it up. For those of you using SKYPE my skyopename is TOORMORE so please give me a call.
Regards
Bernard Joyce
Assistant PRO
As Bernard invites all to join us using skype, this is a very good idea I ask you also to consider what other electronic methods we can use to keep intouch and build a active Rural Science Association.
Any members who are on Facebook, Bebo, Twitter or other interactive chat rooms why not advise and we can also contact you
We are open to any exiciting new ideas
interesting clip on youtube which gives a good overview of SKYPE
Ok Neville Armstrong your man in the North is now on Skype too - jnevillea