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DCN's PROJECT PROGRAM FOR NONPROFIT GROUPS
(See also RAC Information Page)

  • All proposal requests are submitted to the RAC List from the web form at http://www.dcn.org/dcn/rac/project_form.html
  • RAC requires applicants to attend the committee's monthly meeting at which the applicant group's request is to be reviewed.
  • RAC reviews requests in detail in order to award usage of free DCN resources, and provide guidance to applicants.
  • RAC Chair sends official notification of all award details to: Applicant, DCN Executive Director, DCN Net Administrator, DCN Web team Chair, and Omsoft & Omsoft Billing as appropriate.

1. GENERAL CRITERIA FOR PROPOSAL REQUESTS
  1. Must fit DCN goals and objectives1 and be from an organization or group that is ‘not for profit’ in nature.
  2. Must be generally compatible with Community Networking ideals2.
  3. Must be of local/regional and public benefit purpose (but may of course also benefit the world.)
  4. Should acknowledge DCN resource help on any resulting web site, forum, list, or published material.

2. TO APPLY:
  • Use RAC online form. Applicants must present proposals in person at an RAC meeting. RAC meets on first Wednesday evening of each month.

3. TYPICAL RAC PROJECT RESOURCES
(No charges/fees during prescribed life of project)
  1. Limited-term* dcn dial-up account
  2. Limited-term* or long-term dcn shell account
  3. Mailman E-mail List
  4. Simple Site
  5. Discussion forum/conference board
  6. Web Team assistance
  7. Group session to introduce use of the DCN tools
    * Converts to fee paying status or is discontinued at the end of the project term.

4. SPECIAL PROJECTS
    (Criteria for no charges/fees are: constant mission; ongoing online activity, special community benefit etc.)
  1. Special projects are those that require more Web team involvement or coordination between groups. These may use the typical dcn resources or may need those resources to be specially adapted, As a volunteer organization DCN needs to limit its ‘special projects.’
  2. There is an annual review by RAC which formally extends the status.

5. DCN Nonprofit Dialup Accounts.
  • These are subsidized dialup accounts that are applied for via an online form which comes to RAC for approval. RAC notifies Omsoft when applications are approved. (Usage max is 30hrs/month. Same price as Lurker but with second email address.)

6. RESOURCE SET UP:
    Arranged through DCN’s ISP partner:
  • Temporary dcn dialup accounts, non-profit discounted dcn accounts, dcn shell accounts.
  • Note: ‘Registered domain name’ hosting is not a free or subsidized service of DCN. However, domain name usage may be able to be set up by the dcn Web team for projects if the name is hosted by the originating domain seller.
    Arranged through the DCN Web team:
  • Simple Sites, Mailman Lists, DCN Web Calendars, Forums including PHP/BB2 web forums, Web team help, and 'Introduction to DCN tools' workshop(s) by arrangement.

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1. DCN GOALS & OBJECTIVES: DCN creates public-benefit partnerships in the public interest with government, education, business and the community in order to: a) Ensure that people in the region benefit from opportunities the information age brings. b) Promote access to electronic information and communication resources for all, protecting individual privacy and supporting free expression. c) Develop and maintain public information resources that build a sense of community and reinforce democratic ideals.

2. COMMUNITY NETWORKING IDEALS: Computer-based &qot;community networks" are usually local project partnerships intended to help revitalize, strengthen, and expand existing people-based community networks. They are generally intended to advance social goals, such as building community awareness, encouraging involvement in local decision-making, and developing educational or economic opportunities, or assisting disadvantaged communities.