Symposium Future
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[edit] Background
The ResNet Symposium as an organization is faced with an opportunity for change to correspond with changes in the IT field and ResNet programs generally. At the townhall meeting on June 22,2008, different ideas were brought forth to address these changes. This page will serve as a launching point for discussion and ideas on future direction for conferences and the organization.
[edit] Why change?
This is a question that needs to be answered more concretely (perhaps through data and surveys), but the basic arguments provided have been:
- ResNet as an organization has maintained the same focus for 15 years
- Several key contributors over time have left, some because they no longer provide support for a ResNet program
- The 2008 ResNet Symposium had lower attendance than previous years, but it was also the first Symposium to be held outside the US
- The name, ResNet, is an obstacle to getting others to attend that would find this organization helpful
- There may be synergy opportunities that come from expanding our focus
- The majority of people attending have more duties than just ResNet
- The main tie everyone has at the conference is a focus on helping students at their college/university
[edit] Why should we stay the same?
Several concerned participants have reservations about changes because:
- It may become too broad/irrelevant/large
- Those who attend now may not be able to do so because their superiors or others in their department would get to go instead
- We currently a have great program in place
- There is a lot of goodwill accumulated already through the existing name and that shouldn't be lost
- Participants with dedicated programs may be alienated
[edit] How do we proceed?
- Talk about it during the conference
- Discuss this here on the wiki
- Talk about it on the list-serv (or perhaps start a dedicated list just for this discussion)
- Start survey(s) to help us figure out the driving factors toward change, and if we change how/why
- Create groups dedicated toward managing the change
- Formulate ideas on how this should impact the next conference
- Consider outside help (consultants, other conferences, etc.)
- Create a mission statement and identify values
- Solicit volunteers but also identify needs
- Use the Board of Directors to gather input and make decisions and publish this information to those who would like to participate
[edit] Name ideas
If the organization were to change its name, what would it be and what concepts should this include?
[edit] Concepts
- Higher-education
- Student-focused
- Technology (computing seems too narrow)
- Forum/Collaboration/Group (something to indicate the organization is non-profit and driven by volunteers/peers)
[edit] Name ideas
- TECS (Technology, Education, Collaboration, Symposium/Services/Support)
- ResNET (Residential Networking, Education & Technology)
