[DC3] DIgital Inclusion Coalitions Notes of Session

Hi I am sharing some of the key points of the Digital Inclusion Coalition Guidebook as part of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance supported by the Media Democracy Fund focused on the United States *https://guidebook.digitalinclusion.org/ <https://guidebook.digitalinclusion.org/>* Many of the speakers representing various cities, Philldelphia, Portland, Kansas City, Baltimore, Washington, LA, Cleveland, Austin, Chicago, Etc work in collaboration with libraries and community networks, Many of them provided a range of training besides low cost internet connectivity. Key is the coalitions they created -Corporate sponsorship Google Fibre -Granting agencies -Housing Authories -Faith community -ISPs -Poverty Groups Key takeaways Digital inclusion coalitions exist to promote conversation, professional development, strategically aligned programming and advocacy. • Coalitions should meet regularly, set goals and progress toward those goals through strategically identified activities. • A coalition’s leaders should include local voices that lend trust, credibility and a community-centric perspective to the coalition’s efforts. • All coalitions need resources to thrive (particularly funding) to pay for the coordination of coalition efforts. • Coalitions are increasing awareness of digital inclusion, local barriers and current approaches to the work. • Coalition leaders often do not view their activities as advocacy, but they do educate local policy makers and community leaders. • Coalitions strive to meet the needs of their members through peer-to-peer sharing, collaborative goal setting, awareness and resource development. • Coalitions themselves often do not conduct digital inclusion programming, but members of the coalitions form partnerships, strengthening their programming. • Leaders agree that local government participation is important to success, but there are advantages and disadvantages to their participation. Kansas City Case Study USE OF THE VMOSA Model) Vision, Mission Statement, Objectives, Strategies and Action Plans http://digitalinclusionkc.org/membership The Kansas City Coalition for Digital Inclusion is an open, collaborative group of nonprofits, individuals, government entities and businesses focused on fostering internet access and digital readiness in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. Vision Every citizen and household in KC has access to internet, how to use the equipment and skills needed to take advantage Mission To faciliate collaboration among organizations and initiatiaves working to bridge the digital divide in order maximze the resources for the greatest Impact Glenn McKnight NARALO Secretariat mcknight.glenn(a)gmail.com skype gmcknight twitter gmcknight 289-830 6259 .