Small Ruminant Network Online - the beginnings

Today we began concrete efforts to start the CARDI Small Ruminants online community. A list of participants was drawn up and sent to Andrew (FAO) to start the Dgroup. I consider this a modest beginning. Both Norman and I are tied up for most of April 2006, so we hope to get going in May 2006.

Reflections on CARDI Online Facilitation Workshop

We came, we saw, we did and ...

A journey indeed it has been; and what an eventful journey!
I took time during the preparation phase to read what was expected out of the workshop and also read one or two of the resource materials, although Jamaica was, perhaps, the last to have received the resource package. On reflection, nothing I read at that stage prepared me sufficiently for the worth of the workshop.

Every journey entails some periods of “up” and periods of “downs”, but in our journey, the “downs” were equally insightful learning experience. Take for example, for almost a whole week I was “incommunicado”, thanks to a perfectly functioning anti-spam software that decided that our Dgroups was a spam content provider. However, thanks to the skills Luca (the chief techie) I was rescued. And the lessons from this “down” were: (1) a knowledgeable techie back up is sine qua non for effective functioning of online community, (2) there is the need for the facilitator should have the means to constantly “check on” members of the community; silence may not necessary mean lurking.

If the technological “downside” could be turned into learning opportunities then what about the technological “upside”? The exposure to and use of Dgroups, and the setup and use of a blog were priceless technological experiences. Together with the knowledge on Yahoo e-groups I believe I can confidently provide leadership in the deployment of these tools in our network.

Of course the journey was not only about technological tools. The processes of online facilitation were equally rich in content and more importantly, delivered flawlessly by Nancy in her own inimitable way. It will be very presumptuous of me to declare that I am now a mater of these processes, but surely, I have learnt enough (preparation, opening circle – welcome, introductions – purpose setting, norms, agreements, trust, opening topics, role modeling, sharing the burden, summarizing, etc.) to be able to stand at least on one leg squarely.
I join my colleagues in saying sincere thank you to Nancy, Luca and Andrew. We should not forget the “back office” members of the team – Kristen, Fabiola, Rodger and Claudette. Together, you all have guided us on this journey through the rite of passage across the neophyte threshold. We have to become grand masters as you are. And that is our next challenge!

For ourselves, let us reach across the circle and pat ourselves on the back, if nothing at all, for sheer endurance!

UDEISA PALM2PALM BLOG

Today has been my busiest day on our workshop. I made several inputs. I achieved this by devoting neraly 4 hours to it, instead of the usual 2 hours. Also, I developed a strategy of switching between "catching up" on previous conversations and dealing with most recent posts. I killed two birds straight!

UDEISA PALM2PALM BLOG

DGROUP TOOL

This is the penultimate day for the completion of this online facilitation workshop. I was out of the loop for some time but haveing come back, I do not seem to see anywhere the group has learnt to establish/develop the Dgroup technique. We all agreed that it is one of the useful arsenal we should have.

UDEISA PALM2PALM BLOG
Quick Access to Blog

Having established links to my favourite websites and blogs on my blog, I thought the most logical thing to do next was to make my blog URL my default home page. Alas, free things have their limitations - I suspect. When I tried that, a blank page starred in front of me. I think the problem is that since password is needed to access the blogspot resources, one cannot automatically conjure up one's blog from the address bar. Or is that the blog is not on the World Wide Web; there is no "www" in the URL. Nancy and Luca, what do you think?

Well, my work around was to place the shortcut of the URL of the blog on the quick launch bar. Then instead of clicking the IE icon, I click on my blog shortcut. A bright idea just came to my mind. Why don't I change the icon image of my shortcut?

What a terrible past week!

In these days of technology we usually take for granted simple things as being able to speak to somebody f2f. Technology has taken over our lives and making us all appear like the robots they are. For a whole week I was out of the Dgroups loop. The technology devil had decided unilaterally that our Dgroup is a spam and, therefore, the messages were blocked. Thanks to Luca, the guru, for figuring out what was going on. Fortunately, the devil also went back to the Hades and so here I am again this week.

Creating Links

The learning goal for today, Friday, 24 February 2006, was to figure out how to edit the blog template to write the codes to create a Link source on the sidebar and populate the link area with my favourate links (sorry Nancy, I cannot find the url for your blog. Please email me). I achieved that so I am going to have myself a bottle of guiness stout.

Assessment of the Small Ruminant Group

· Technological issues

Members of the Small Ruminant Network have all communicated in the past using email. Therefore, I can infer that all have access to computers and the internet at some point, and also have basic online skills such as browsing. I have never asked questions like the hardware configurations, the OS and versions of it, etc. These and other related facts can be gleaned during the preparatory phase of establishment of the online community, of course using some of the tools and skills acquired in this workshop and the generous “Online Event Planner” of Nancy “the Great”

· Learning Styles

I do not know the learning styles of the members. This can be ascertained within the first few weeks of initiation of the community. Nevertheless, since the group is subject-matter oriented I do not expect the learning styles to be dramatically different.

· Language and Organizational Culture

These have been addressed fairly well in the posting on “Purpose Check List”. I am also aware that across the region different person have different perceptions of CARDI. The not-so-complimentary ones perceive CARDI as threat or wanting to dominate. Wherever they may exist in the group these fears may be allayed by the skills and personal attributes of the facilitator

· Time

Time is definitely going to make or break the online community. In a region where so few professionals carry so much load it invariably comes down to juggling and “faceless” tasks like online interactions could easily be the first casualties. I guess the facilitator has to be very persistent; and that is if the facilitator also can juggle in favour of the online community. Initially, less frequent postings (demand), once or twice per week, may be the way to start. This is going to be a real challenge.

· Self Assessment

Personally, I am convinced this workshop will add to the few communications skills I already possess and they should stand me in good stead to facilitate my online community. I also believe I have good rapport with most of the members of the group. Open and frank discussion of issues, keeping within the boundaries of the rules and agreements would help.

Purpose Check List

Purpose/Outcome

What is the desired outcome for the group? What is the INTENT?

The network I coordinate is the Small Ruminant Network. The Regional network, the Caribbean Small Ruminant Network (CASRUNET) was established in 2000 as part of the PROCICARIBE system. Just like the whole PROCICARIBE system, CASRUNET became dormant, although not entirely inactive, since 2003. Last year CARDI established the CARDI Small Ruminant Network (CARDISRNet) as an internal mechanism for the SR kindred spirit. An active CARDISRNet will be the springboard to revive CASRUNET. The Small Ruminant Network, including both the CARDISRNet and CASRUNET, therefore, has a unified purpose and outcome. The group aspires to generate and/or acquire information and knowledge on the production, processing and marketing of small ruminants, share the knowledge and then deploy at the enterprise level for use by the stakeholders.

Does it have a mission or a vision that you can communicate to potential members?

The mission is to bring about increased production and trade in small ruminant products, by-products and services in order to capture a modest share of the 70-80% import market for small ruminant products.

Are the benefits measurable and visible to members and potential members?

The ultimate benefit of increases in small ruminant products and services are measurable and visible

Is the outcome determined by the organizer? Group members? Both?

Both the organizer and the group members have critical roles to play ensure the outcome is achieved

If the group is part of a larger organization, is it consistent with organizational goals and culture?

CARDISRNet is part of CARDI. CASRUNET is part of PROCICARIBE, a system coordinated by CARDI. Hence the Small Ruminant Network is consistent with CARDI’s goals and culture

Is the group's purpose something that can only be done/accomplished online? Will it replace something offline? Or is it some combination?

It will be a combination. Online sessions will be used to establish the platform and agree on the mandate. Generating and/or acquiring information and knowledge, sharing and then deploying will be accomplished using both F2F and online communication

Target Audience

What kinds of participants (target audience) do you want to draw in or need to participate?

How would you describe them?

“Kindred spirit” with a stake in a successful Caribbean small ruminant industry

What is the gender, professional, linguistic, cultural make up of the group?

The group is gender-neutral. It comprises university graduate professionals with expertise in livestock science, especially small ruminants, biotechnology, technology transfer and group dynamics, rural development, veterinary science and agribusiness. The smaller subset of CARDISRNet is English speaking. The wider group, CASRUNET, includes participants from the French territories but they are proficient in the English language.

How motivated are your participants to participate? What is "in it for them?"

The group is anxious for a successful Caribbean small ruminant industry and, hence, I consider the members motivated

Do they have adequate computer equipment and Internet access to have a satisfactory experience on your system? Do you tell them the minimum requirements up front?

Everyone in the CARDISRNet has computer and internet facilities. Most of the CASRUNET members have or do share computers but not all have effective internet connectivity

Do you want your community to be public or private? If private, what determines eligibility?

Our community is public

What is the ideal size for your group? Is there a limit to how many members can participate? Do you have a sense of how your community can expand if there is greater interest?

Eight persons have been identified for CARDISRNet. CASRUNET involves about 20 participants. I do not anticipate the core membership of the group to be more than 25 persons. I am sure others may sign in and out depending on the topic of discussion

Where might you find potential participants?

The membership is drawn from CARDI, Ministries of Agriculture and Farmer Groups

How might you communicate with your participants to market your online interaction space? (Remember: If you build it, they may not come!)

The membership is not entirely new to the idea of online communication. Emails have been used before to announce and share ideas. However, for a sustainable online community members will need to be properly sensitised and prepared. A survey of online intent and participation might even be useful

Are you building from an existing pool of participants? Or drawing in new people?

Basically building from an existing pool.

Type of Member Interactions

What kinds of discussions/interactions do you want to foster?

Are they more like ongoing discussions or question & answer?

I believe initially there will be a lot of Q & A, but ultimately the interactions are going to settle on specific discussions and also “how-tos”

Are they focused or wide-ranging?

The purpose of the group prescribes a focused interaction.

Are they started by you or by the members?

Mostly by me

Are they intellectual? Social? Sensitive? Controversial?

Intellectual discussions of technical and socio-economic content

Are they focused around information such as documents or other static content?

They will be focused around document-based information, as well as intrinsic experiences and knowledge on the ground.

Will they generate content/knowledge that needs to be captured?

Yes they will

Do they need synchronous (same time) and/or asynchronous (different time) interactions?

My little experience with this workshop suggests that the online experience will be asynchronous

Time Frame

How long do you want the online interaction to last?

Are there specific timelines or a project to be accomplished?

Where project planning is involved there will be specific timelines. Other than that the group will continue as long as it fits CARDI goals

Is it an ongoing online interaction space for conversation?

Yes, especially as it relates to sharing experiences.

Is it time delimited?

To the extent that it is consistent with CARDI’s goals and culture

Guidelines, Rules and Governance

What kind of rules or governance do you want for your online interaction space?

Will there be strong and defined rules, or more general and/or casual guidelines?

For purposeful outcome there should be strong and defined rules

How will you communicate this to your members?

First, existing members will determine the rules and this will be communicated to any new member

Will there be problem resolution processes? How will you share that process?

This is a good point. I’ve seen certain listserv discussions turning personal. The problem resolution process will be defined as part of the rules.

If this is a work team, what processes and agreements will you need?

Obviously the CARDISRNet is a work team and most of the interactions will be informed by CARDI’s programme of work and its processes.

Do members have to agree to a "Terms of Service" or other form of agreement before becoming members?

I do not think that will be necessary

Who makes decisions in the community about the online interaction space?
The online interaction space owner? The members? Both? How?

Both CARDI and the network members. The mechanism would vary. Some decisions would be based on consensus; others by “decree”.

Who will host or facilitate in your online interaction space?
If not you, how will the hosts/facilitators be trained?

As a coordinator of the network, I will facilitate. The vice-coordinator is Norman Gibson, who is also part of this training workshop. So we are fortunate to have two key persons of the network trained.

What will be their responsibilities?

The responsibilities of a facilitator as being passed on to us in this workshop

How will they be supported and/or compensated?

The best support is good hardware, software and reliable internet connectivity – ISP, preferably with an alternate ISP

What kind of reporting will you have them do to monitor as needed?

We in CARDI have established reporting protocols - weekly, quarterly and annual reports and I think that should be adequate

UDEISA PALM2PALM BLOG

Hard Time:
I have had a hectic time during the last two days but here I am trying to catch up on things. Luca invited me to sign up for GMail, with its 2000+ megabyte of storage space. Thanks Luca.

Nancy set me a task and challenge - to post a picture of "the goat". That became my learning goal for the day - acquire the skill of posting pictures to the blog. I have done that (hurray!). This goat is a metaphor of a Facilitator. This goat is trained to "sit" (we are clever, you know!), and it is sitting on the steps leading to the pen. Now you all tell me: Is it a friendly Facilitator, warmly welcoming colleagues to the cosy community space (the pen) or is it a selfish brute, hugging up the portal so that the others cannot gain access to the goodies of the community space?

Reflections on Facilitator 

Facilitation Log

Norman I now "see" you but I could not find any link to leave a comment.

Reflecting on volume of resource material for the workshop:

My email box "acted up" and I did not "see" some messages posted by colleagues so I decided to spend the day (eworkshop day = 2 hours; 9-11 am) catching up on some reading. I tackled "Facilitating and Hosting Online Interaction". The eworkshop day was not enough for the topic, not with all the links. Then I wondered, are we going to be able cover all the resource materials...

CARDI Online Facilitation Workshop: My Week 1 Learning Goal

To accumulate the new knowledge on online facilitation processes and skills on new online facilitation tools - DGroups, Blogs - for subsequent deployment to the coordination of the small ruminant network