Held on: 29 Nov 01, 7.00 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.
Held at: Paul Clarke's house
Present: Bony Shamalo, Paul Clarke, David Mangoro, Pearl Nuwargah
1. Introduction
Paul Clarke gave an explanation of how the L&D Community Network came about
and why it was proposed that it should be a club (See Appendix A)
2. Acting Officers
Following some discussion and revision of the committee roles (See section 3):
Bony Shamalo offered to be acting Chairman
Paul Clarke offered to be acting Secretary
David Mangoro offered to be acting Treasurer
Pearl Nuworgah offered to be acting Public Relations Officer
Note that the officers need to be formally elected at the AGM and there may be other candidates.
3. Constitutional Documents
3a. Constitution
The following changes were made to the draft constitution (23 May 01):
In section 6 (Committee): An extra committee position of
Public Relations Officer was created. The duties
would be to make contacts in other local public/voluntary sector
organisations that might be interested in joining the club and to
co-ordinate promotional activities.
Technical support could be provided by other members.
In section 6 (Committee): In the absence of the Chairman at a meeting, the role of Vice-Chair could be filled, by any other committee member elected by those present at the meeting. Thus the Vice-Chair is not a permanent position and does not need to be elected at the AGM.
In section 6 (Committee): The number of additional Ordinary committee members left unspecified. Formerly it was six. All would be allowed to vote.
(1) Because of uncertainties about the status of the Consume Peering Agreement and because it is outside our control, references to it were removed from the constitution.
3b. Equal Opportunities Policy: This was not discussed
3c. Terms and Conditions of Membership
The Draft Terms and Conditions of Membership (9 Mar 01) were
Discussed and clarification about the difference between
"contributing" and "non-contributing" members was made.
It was decided to retain these two categories (and their different
subscription rates) until the day
when the club could provide all the network infrastructure
and members would not have to provide cell nodes.
4. Preparation for General Meeting of Members
4a. Internet Access:
It was thought that provision of shared broadband Internet access
was an important role for the club and
should be provided by the club (as opposed to individuals).
5. Any Other Business: There was no other business.
6. Date of next meeting:
The next meeting will be an AGM in about a months time.
1. Introduction (to meeting 27 Nov 01)
www.consume.net started about August 2000.
I discovered it about December 2000 and decided to start something similar
in L&D.
1.1 The Objective: The objective of the club is to setup a network throughout L&D.
1.2 Why a new Network?
Why would anyone want to start a new network when there are many
existing ones such as the Internet already?
The answer is central to our existence as a club.
The reasons are (in suggested priority order):
1. To provide much cheaper and faster Internet access (than 56K modems)
2. To provide local community services, e.g. video and live viewing of
community activities, supporting other voluntary services, etc...
3. To counter the monopoly of Telcos who make excessive charges.
4. To exploit the "free" bandwidth for the benefit of citizens.
5. To have fun developing the network .....
1.3 Why a Club?
Consume in London is a loose collection of individuals.
I think it has not grown fast enough because of this.
They have problems in co-ordination and in their relations with
ISPs and other organisations e.g. for funding (there is none).
The idea that the network is owned by the members is fine but
it needs co-ordination.
A club would allow us to:
1. be able to co-ordinate network development better
2. have more "clout" when dealing with other (commercial) organisations
3. have tight control over responsible use of the network,
e.g. through terms and conditions.
4. obtain grants and development support from funding organisations .....
1.4 Why so long to get going?
Originally I decided to search out support for the idea before
launching into purchase of expensive equipment.
I think this approach has paid off because:
1. the number of (speculative) members has grown (slowly)
2. the cost of equipment has fallen to a practical level during
the year (HALF original cost)
3. setting up nodes is becoming easier (with new operating systems
that support wireless LAN and off-the-shelf Access Points)
- but further simplification is needed
4. advances in home-made alternative equipment have reduced the
cost still further
5. it will take time to get the idea accepted
6. a demonstration setup and equipment were needed ......
1.5 The Problem Ahead: The hardest job is getting new members - not setting up equipment
There are MANY people who are "happy" with the Internet services that already exist and don't see the need for anything better. They are happy to pay Telcos for what they get. I am not. Getting people to expect better things (e.g. by demonstration) is one of our secondary aims