Terry Grunwald offers a 24 point checklist for a local community technology initiative that aims to provide a comprehensive service. For more on local initiatives see the online communities section. and Wired Up Communities. Of course, not all projects will hit all points - but this list should help project leaders understand what they may be missing.

1. Champions for the programme have been identified in local organisations and agencies, and form a network to help create the initiative.

2. The community has performed a comprehensive ICT community audit, with an agreed process to re-survey these resources on a regular basis.

3. The decision-makers have 'bought into' the process and include activities of the initiative in the recurring budget for the locality.

4. A plan for the initiative is developed with wide community participation. The plan sets out ICT strategies to promote objectives like lifelong learning, social inclusion, and active citizenship.

5. There is an 'open walls' policy under which ICT and learning resources within the locality are also available to the general community when not needed by the host institution, wherever possible

6. A web site designed with community involvement combines local council and community information in a user-friendly format.

7. There is a searchable online database with information and referral information for all human services available in the community.

8. Every resident can have a free e-mail account.

9. A community-publishing project provides web design, online publishing, and web hosting services for community groups, local agencies, and small businesses.

10. There are one or more local learning access centres with satellite facilities including at least one with multimedia production facilities.

11. There is a local Helpdesk available to all centres, voluntary organisations, and projects in the community.

12. A hardware donation and recycling project is instituted for all participants in the community grid.

13. There is a 'hub' for the initiative which provides co-ordination, continuity, support, on-going communication, content linking, and synergy to all technology initiatives. This may be located as a virtual resource centre on the Web, and in one or more of the ÔrealÕ centres.

14. An Asset Map has been prepared for public display (and on the web) showing the resources and facilities identified during the audit, and created through the initiative.

15. There is a frequently updated brochure and clickable map on the community web site which lists/maps all public access sites in the community - as well as their services, special projects, and hours of operation.

16. There is a full time community-wide tech facilitator/coordinator/ planner.

17. A network of community development and learning practitioners is developed online (a discussion list and chatroom) with opportunities for informal face-to-face meetings.

18. Success stories for individuals, families, organisations, agencies, small businesses and the community as a whole are documented and publicized.

19. There is an active outreach programme with mobile labs, taster programmes, and a well-publicised series of tech awareness events. Outreach is targeted to residents of priority areas and the voluntary organisations that serve them, disadvantaged populations within the community, and especially to people with disabilities.

20. A volunteering programme is developed and centrally co-ordinated for all organisations and agencies involved in the initiative, with special emphasis on securing the involvement of local young people.

21. There is any integrated case management social services delivery system that is accessible to public agency staff with confidentiality safeguards.

22. A group purchasing plan offers reduced costs on goods and services to all public interest groups in the community - not just the larger institutions.

23. Public decision-making is an open process. Everyone is encouraged to participate in whatever form they feel comfortable. There are specialised opportunities for those with low literacy skills. All public records are available online.

24. Broadband access is deployed appropriately. The community understands which applications require broadband and which can be implemented at conventional dial-up speeds.

Terry Grunwald.