Minutes, Indiana Community Network Assn., Feb. 6, 1996.

The Indiana Community Network Association held its first meeting Tuesday, Feb. 6, at the Indiana State Library Auditorium. Attorney Timothy Hollingsworth, who signed the articles of incorporation, enabled the group to elect a board of directors.

Those directors (and initial length of term) are:

• Roger Whaley (2) (rowhaley@ucs.indiana.edu) , Falls Cities Community Network (Clark and Floyd Counties);
• Carol Derner (1) (cderner.lcpl@incolsa.palni.edu) , LakeNet (Lake County)
• John Wallace (2) (jjw@indy.net), Boone County Community Network
• Marcia Au (2) (marciaa@evans.evcpl.lib.in.us), Access Evansville
• John Grimmer (1) (jgrimmer@indiana.edu) , Johnson County Community Network
• Georgia Miller (1) (gmiller@indycms.iupui.edu) , Collaboration 2000 (Marion County)
• Marti Miller (2) (mmiller@dcwi.com), CarrollNet (Delphi and Flora)
• Worth Weller (1) (whweller@eworld.com), CommuniNet of Wabash County

The directors then held a meeting, electing the following officers:

• Chair, John Grimmer
• first vice-chair, Marcia Au
• 2nd vice-chair, John Wallace
• Secretary, Worth Weller
• Treasurer, Georgia Miller

The bylaws of the corporation were accepted as amended. Copies, prepared by Timothy Hollingsworth, will be circulated.

Kent Champagne, from the Intelenet Commission, outlined the general plan for a state-wide educational blitz to inform Hoosiers about community networks, about the value of local and state information, and about how the Internet can be used in schools libraries, businesses, and in people's daily lives. Much of the thrust of the campaign will be aimed at educating school boards, library boards and general users about the merits of accessing information electronically.
The campaign, which may begin by July 1, will include an 800 number that can be called to get phonenumbers for local community nets.

Mark Whitman announced that AI will help communities host breakfasts to inform local leaders, government and political officials about resources available to help them provide content to their community network. Communities interested may call Mark, who will help with funding and speakers.

General comments from the membership included:

• a suggestion that the association look into the possibility of an 800 number which could be used to help members connect to their Internet accounts when they are on the road;
• a question if Intelenet would entertain a request for funding the association; Whitman said such a request would be appropriate, at least as start up assistance, and that the association would have to write a mission statement, etc.
• a suggestion that articles and notes about community networks be circulated in various newsletters; John Grimmer volunteered to act as the clearing house for such an effort, by sending the articles to him (fax 317 736-4937);
• a question was raised if the association should have its own web site and/or restricted access listserv to post minutes and other business items
• the suggestion was made that the association should act as a vehicle to encourage and help other communities wrestle with the problems of networking
• a similar suggestion was made to share information on providing content, particularly technical details, so each network wouldn't have to reinvent the wheel;
• the suggestion was made and seemed to be the consensus that the board meet monthly, at least for a while, with open meetings that can be attended by the membership.

--Worth Weller, secretary, 2.6.96