0.2 Part two: special topics  (Page 37/39)

CTLCs use existing facilities and are often outfitted with libraries (including dictionaries, reference and educationalmaterials of general interest); computers; face-to-face classrooms; and break-out spaces, used primarily to serve other essential functions forcommunity sustainability.

CTLCs are hybrids between traditional cyber-cafes and other community functions. Some communities want to focus on a localgathering-place for teaching and learning, others more specifically on e-services and training.

CTLCs are based upon the 3 pillars of Teachers Without Borders:

• The community is the source.
• Culture is the strength.
• Technology is the bridge.

Two crucial questions arise

• What are the operational elements common to all Teachers Without Borders CTLCs?
• What strategies will help place (and keep) CTLCs on a path to sustainable operations?

Looking at the First Question...

A functioning CTLC has the following elements:

• Management and administration (staff, volunteers, business planning, technology planning, evaluation, reporting).
• Programming and curriculum development reflecting local, regional, national, and international needs.
• Fundraising and resource development.
• Partnerships (which serve to extend or substitute for in-house staffing, volunteers, training resources, financial and materialcontributions, space sharing).
• Networking and resource sharing.
• Facilities and equipment (space, furnishings, disabilities accommodations, operating hours and other access issues, hardware,software, other instructional equipment).
• Outreach, participant recruitment, and community involvement.

What's involved

Management - Coordinator needs to be competent technologically, personally, publicly, and capable of handlingfundraising and recruitment, as well as public relations. Coordinators also need to be culturally competent, aware of the diversity of people inone's community and able to support their needs.

Technological support - A plan for repair and preventive maintenance, plus, funding for this. Volunteers rarely work in thisregard. This must be a paid position, wherever possible. The position must be connected to accountability.

Volunteers - Volunteers are crucial in many other ways and accountable through word of mouth.

Programming - Training is a higher priority than access - instruction and classes are favored over open access as the preferred use ofspace. Digital technology is a tool that works best with specific skill development.

Flexibility - Instruction must fit users' needs (classes that run for extended periods of time, or at special times, or for specialpopulations.)

Focus on meaningful content - People need to be engaged. Create instruction and classes that meet the needs of the people in yourcommunity.

Resource Development - Certain elements are crucial to success:

• Wide participation is essential - and builds leadership;
• Substitute paid positions, where appropriate, with internships from local universities (course credit for work in the CTLC);
• Create trades - CTLC resources for resources you need. (Example: trade access to the CTLC for a local security company's securityservices.)
• Pair fundraising efforts with other successful efforts.
• Create a plan for upgrading materials and begin that plan immediately.
• Develop a marketing plan. (Many telecentres do not stay alive because they are not known about or accepted in the community.)
• ALWAYS hold a celebration and conference upon the opening of a CTLC to attract attention, associate the CTLC with joy and education, and toidentify stakeholders with resources to support the CTLC.