Dear Nancy,

These are some of the norms and agreements that I believe can be a start for the network I will be involved in:

The purpose of this network is two fold:

1. To provide market information to all agricultural stakeholders in the region.
2. Strengthen market information systems at a national level

Some rules of the network

• Respect the role of the facilitator.
• No Shouting will be tolerated.
• Please respect all members of the network.
• Please refrain from bashing, chastising, expressions of obscenity, these postings will be removed.
• No advertising of personal products without the permission of the network administration.
• Documents from other sources cannot be republished on this network with the written permission of the author.

There is the need for refinement but this is a first draft

Lisa

Hi Nancy,

Below is is the assessment of my facilitator skills

In terms of facilitating an offline workshop in my line of work I have not yet had the opportunity to be a facilitator of a workshop. However I have organised workshops and managed projects which have been successful. My strengths are that I have good planning, organisational implementation and communication skills. I can improve in the areas of solving conflict and mediation.

Online Facilitator skills

How I assessed myself with this section is I used the Facilitator tasks and routines to evaluate myself.

In will like to start with what I need to improve on:

• Reading between the lines is a skill that I will have to acquire.
• Use of facilitation techniques to animate discussions, draw out silent participants
• Dealing with online conflict
• Manage inflows
• time management (time allotted for discussions, side issues that may come up that are not the main objectives of the discussion)
• May have to work on some motivation skills
  

Strengths

• Facilitation task outlined eg building trust, welcoming new members, dealing with request for information
• Searching and sharing external information resources.
• Summarising info
• Encouraging members
• Performing support task

Evaluation is continous so I may make adjustments to this but this is what I have so far. My offline skills can help with my online however I have realised that online has a life of its own. Iwill not assume that what works offline will automatically work online.

Lisa

Goodmorning Nancy,

Below is my Purpose check list

Purpose/Outcome

The network I will be associated with in the near future essentially deals with market information.

The purpose of this network is two fold

1. To provide market information to all agricultural stakeholders in the region.
2. Strengthen market information systems at a national level

The benefits of the network will be measureable with respect to the type of service it provides to its clients for eg is data reliable, timely. The group's purpose can be accomplished by a combination of online and offline communication.

Target audience

We have a very wide target audience farmers, agro-processors, marketers and researchers. The network once it is functional will supply the type of information that will impact postively on the earning capacity of individuals. This in it self can be a motivator.

With respect to computer equipment and internet access we may have a slight drawback, it is something that has to be sorted out at a country by country basis.

Type of member interaction

Initially it will be focused around information eg documents, production, import & export figures for certain commodities. Personally, I will like to see some ongoing discussions(Q&A)

Time Frame

This will have to be determined by the group.

Guidelines

There must be rules to and guidelines which will be determined by our CARDI team at HQ. Facilitator maybe someone from CARDI HQ this is to be determined

Have a good day

Lisa

Hi Guys,

My learning goal for week one was to have a greater understanding of the facilitation of workshops/working groups via electronic communication. My first thoughts when signing up for this workshop were yes this is easy, I am accustom being online. However, as this first week comes to an end I realise the great commitment that is required:

• To do my readings, so I can make meaningful contributions to the discussion groups
• Complete the different activities that are mandatory for eg creating your own blog
• and keep up with the work on your desk.

Don't get me wrong I am not complaining. I am actually enjoying this experience we must keep in mind that it is not a walk in the park. Online facilitaion will not solve the basic problems we have with networks in the Caribbean(our basic foundation in creating and managing our networks must be solid) Online facilitaion is an excellent tool that can be used in the strenghtening and maybe sustainability of our network.

In my area of work there is the constant need for up to date market information. Therefore the setting up of the Dgroups with key stakeholders eg from the ministry, etc where information once verified can be uploaded and made available in a timely basis will make life simpler for us all.

Have a good weekend everyone.

Lisa