Scenarios and action planning

Champions and mentors split into three island groups each representing a small, medium and or large island. They were given the tasks:

1 Invent a typical island

• who is there
• what is happening
• how interested are they
• what challenges are there

2 Pass the scenario to the next group. During this time the strategy group developed and presented strategic objectives to all groups.

3 Use the cards and you own ideas to create an action plan with 15 point budget.

• After choosing cards, consider the resources of skills, support, funding needed
• Ask the resource group how they can help

4 During this time the strategy group developed its own plan using the cards - no budget limit - in order to establish their priorities.

5 Report back to the group that gave you the scenario

The cards title, with budget points, were

• Trouble shooting 1
• Helpdesk 2
• Web correspondents 1
• Tutor support 1
• Champions procedures 1
• Champion support 1
• Needs research 2
• Visioning workshops 2
• 2000 Friends forums 1
• Virtual twinning 1
• Online learning 2
• Services online 3
• Multimedia projects 2
• Island websites 1
• E-commerce 2
• Family projects 1
• Local history and genalogy 1
• Stories on the web 1
• E-mail newsletters 1
• Online participation 2
• Youth projects 1
• Ask the experts 1

See the cards in full here.

Below are the strategic objectives, scenarios and action plans, linked together for clarity. Additional card ideas - and amendments - generated by groups are shown in red and italics.

Strategic objectives

While the island groups were developing island scenarios, the the strategy group developed a set of objectives which were then reported to each of the other groups. The aim was to provide overall guidance on the aims of the Digital Community project that could inform more local action plans developed for the islands.

The following strategic objectives were developed by the strategy group

1. Maximum participation - PC for all who want one
2. Create confidence in basic Internet use
3. Create a central focus point for the project
4. Secure funding - sustainability
5. Stimulate social interaction via community groups/support networks
6. Community ownership of the project
7. Bridge the geographic divide - access to online resources and services
8. FUN!
9. Opportunities to develop all interests
10. Attracting inward investment via tourism/employment opportunities
11. Promote the area as a great place to live
12. Provide all the support we can to the community

The strategy group also created their their own action plan, using all of the cards

The island of Llum - population 2000

Scenario

• Many businesses
• Lots of tourism - seasonal employment
• Far flung population - many small communities
• Ageing and rising population
• Schools - falling rolls
• Transport - (problems of) access to services
• High prices particularly petrol
• Cost of upgrading (off mainland post charges)
• Low income (Especially related to house prices)
• Lack of IT professionals

The island of Corran - two hours from Oban

Size - 20 x 7 miles

Population 600 (200 retired, 40 primary school children)

Facilities - three churches (more pubs) two shops, Post Office. Primary school, hall, doctor, landing strip

Business: 20 B&Bs, 20 self-catering, pottery, four artists, farms, fishing, crafting, tourism, service, conservation, coffee shop, craft centre, boat trips, sea fishing, building.

Community - community groups: play group, golf, drama, music, writers, historical society

Challenges -Phone line - patchy Internet service

• No further education facilities
• Cost and difficulties of materials being delivered
• Range of skills lacking
• 'Drop outs' when free ISP access stops
• Infrequent health care visits
• Digital champion(s) stretched
• Businesses are dependent on tourism/passing trade

Group-generated card ideas in more detail

Marketing and community co-ordinator

• Fundraising help - core money
• Volunteer co-ordination
• Marketing
• Workshops and training
• Funded salary

Infrastructure deployment

• Phone connections
• PCs
• Basic training

The island of Atlantis - small island 12 x 6 miles

Two main settlements

300 population.

Three hours from the mainly, Ferry twice a week

Problems of Atlantis

• Employment
• Limited tourism opportunities
• Inaccessibility
• Only primary school
• Health, transport, phones, services (inc council)
• Cost of living, building etc
• Planning restrictions - conservation
• Change being slow
• Lack of general/political awareness of islands needs

On to analysis of the action plans >>

Have you looked at the cards in full? >>