Step 5—Renewal
Of course, thriving over the long run also involves renewing the network as it grows and evolves. In fact, the process described in Figure 8 is a continuous cycle that networks need to revisit every few years.
The good news is that a well-run network has built-in mechanisms for this kind of renewal. Regular network events and mailing lists offer a way for members to learn from each other and for network leaders to listen constantly to what network members are calling for. These activities also offer a way to watch for and recruit new leaders for the network from the telecenter managers who belong to the network.Box 20: Checklist of Steps
The telecentre.org community and other networks can play a particularly important role at the renewal stage. People who have “done it before” can offer ideas and advice on new services, membership development, and sustainability. Participating in international discussion lists and events with other telecenter networks offers a way to access this broader community of network leaders.
To summarize, the steps of the process are described in Box 20.7.6. Snapshots of Case Studies
The case studies in this chapter highlight the different roles and approaches telecenter networks take on around the world:
- The Hungarian Telecottage Association shows how building community among telecenter managers makes the movement stronger.
- UgaBYTES in Uganda illustrates the potential of using networks as a platform for technical and business support services that help telecenters.
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