[vicsireland] Re: EGM of VICS
- From: Kerie Doyle <kerie.doyle1987@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: "vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 2 Apr 2014 23:20:37 +0100
Hi Gerry, Esmond and all
Esmond, firstly let me say thanks very much for your email on this
topic, you were far more to the point than I have been on this subject
recently
Gerry, I am only seeing your mail now, so your earlier comment about
not being bothered to reply to your email is completely wrong, just to
let you know that.
You ask a lot of questions, and put forward quite a few suggestions
and some of your questions I do not have data on and so don't know the
answers to.
I think to be honest that the list is not an ideal place for the EGM,
and I really would prefer to get everyone together, and this is the
reason for the fixed date time and venue.
some of your suggestions are good, but the thing is, in all reality no
one will carry them through.
I take you back to the mail I sent out announcing the EGM. In this
mail, I refered to a mail which I sent out at the beginning of my
stint as chairperson.
In this mail, I asked for ideas on what we should train on, how,
where, when etc.
I got no response to that, and while your suggestions are good, my
original point still stands and I did not take the decision to hold an
EGM on the future of VICS lightly.
Thanks
Kerie
Sent from my iPhone
> On 1 Apr 2014, at 07:29 p.m., GERARD SHANAHAN <gershan@xxxxxx> wrote:
>
> Hi Kerie,
>
> Whereas most organisations do require meetings to be held on a certain date
> at a certain venue, I am of the opinion that with regard to the medium we
> are using "vics mailing list". Which is in itself is a medium of
> communication for ideas, questions and answers, and teasing out the vagaries
> of software new to certain users. This list is a conjuet for new and
> veteran computer users to assist in developing skillfulness in progressing
> technology to expound on their merits or disadvantages. The activity on the
> list depends on topics and members. The list has been a learning point for
> many new computer users and capable users who need the expertise of more
> experienced users to
> upgrade to the changing environment of the changing face of computing or
> technology generally.
>
> Secondly, As a paid up member, as many others who may not be able to
> attendon the day, I think the least that all paid up members deserve is a
> chance to debate the issue which in itself may defuse the motion of the
> society's
> demise. Yes, more up to date technologies such as the iphone, apps etc are
> changing the topics under which questions are asked but the forum is
> providing a place to come for assistance and information. So the real
> question isn't the society's relevance but its evolution into the future.
> Demise automatically denotes the taking down of the website and
> discontinuation of the mailing list denoting of the loss of a central point
> for vip information technology users within Ireland and contributions from
> friends outside the country who provide useful tips and information.
>
> Thirdly, In relation to the previous point, you point to the fact that the
> society is somewhat irrelevant in that National agencies often provide
> services and information which the society is presently duplicating. I
> don't agree. The National agencies portfolio encompasses, provision of
> equipment, training and software which can be purchased with some subsidised
> grant aid which is
> important for vips in this country due to the fact that there is a larger
> percentage of the vip population unemployed and the cost of same can be
> prohiberative.
> The National agencies provide demonstration days but the one big advantage
> of the society is that you have vips explaining: instructing vips on the use
> of goods and software. Unless a fully sighted person is totally in the
> "zone"
> they will not have the awareness and expertise to understand another vips
> question or needs in regard to certain queries. This is where the society's
> members come to the forefront.
>
> Fourthly: I have a number of questions/suggestions to which I would
> appreciate a response.
> 1. Would you agree that being a voluntary body that a certain amount of
> laxness can create inertia. Yes, I know you will say that it is up to the
> members to make something happen so we have to find innovative ideas to
> inspire action.
> 2. I tried to log into the website today just to update myself on its
> content but my password was not accepted. This in itself is off putting for
> any
> member and I have seen others previously having the same problem. Why
> hasn't this been fixed? Is there really a need for logging in? Admittedly,
> I haven't visited the website on many occasions over the past year and the
> log in problem was there even then, maybe this is the reason I didn't return,
> seeing the problems others had and awaited the problem fix. I'm not
> critising- just pointing out. I do understand the basics of website building
> alas, I don't know how accessible servicing websites is, so I'm
> going soft on this issue.
> 3. The website's last update was in 2012 so its relevance is somewhat dated.
> There are no items under certain headings or within certain links
> i.e. podcasts, tutorials. Besides the pages devoted to the 2012 A.G.M. and
> the useful links page and the documents page which is mainly to do with the
> internal workings of the committee i.e. constitution. The overall content has
> nothing to draw people to it. If a website is to be relevant, it must have
> content which is useful for visitors that will bring them back again
> and again. This begs the question what kind of content can be put on the
> website, is it so easy to locate all the information we need by doing a
> simple google search that going to the bother of making out tutorials or
> creating podcasts is not worth it. Such negative thinking would be defeatist
> and there is plenty of content that could be useful to users of accessible
> technology. You may ask where do we get such content? examining the
> mailing list for the past twelve months, if a question is asked once it will
> surely be repeated thus the repeat query can be directed to the tutorial on
> the website or a search on google should bring up the website reference.
> 4. We are back to the problem of contributors. individuals showing an
> interest in a particular topic should be nurchered and encouraged to produce
> tutorials or podcasts. For instance as an example, there was a certain ms
> word procedure which was quite simple in office '97 but due to the use of
> 2003 involved using wizards caused me some disquiet until after a great deal
> of searching found the answer through the experience of others. I'm sure
> that the new word ribbon will create such problems for people and this alone
> is a topic for tutorial or podcasts. Depending on people's preferences,
> individuals retain and learn procedures better by reading or listening
> depending on personal preference.
> 5. Cearbhall's suggestion: What about VICS taking up the challenge of
> presenting open source tools such as NVDA, Firefox, JAVA, a selection of the
> best accessible, free apps for iPhone and Android and so on? * There is
> plenty to work with there for all the more competant members and even maybe a
> learning curve for the less competant like myself. Actually, I
> have another project suggestion (Although not being a programmer and ignorant
> of how to build an app makes me an aspiring student). Many
> visually impaired people are diabetics whether acquired through life or as
> part of their sight loss. Developing an accessible app
> with the necessary criteria to give the optimum results is needed.
>
> Membership: How many members are there in vics? is the apathy or lack of
> interest you seem to imply due to the fact that the membership is not
> sufficient to make it worthwile to continue. I would have thought that it
> would have been part of the committee's plan to find new ways to source
> streams for new members. There are many avenues which can be tried. What
> is the present financial standing(what's in the bank account)? What
> expenses does the organisation incounter annualy. Is there a treasurers
> report annually. You are going to say that I should go to the meeting to
> find out, but I think it would be interesting to release such information
> after the annual general meeting to members in previous years Besides the
> agenda the goals for the coming year might be included in documentation on
> the website.
> ***Why not think outside the box and conduct a meeting via the list or invite
> members to join a separately created group for the sole purpose of discussing
> the matter if many members are not interested in taking part,although I think
> it would be good to put the meeting out there on the mailing list so that
> people can voice an opinion or hear what is being said . If you think that
> the list is too public a place to air the conversation, it would be at least
> worthwhile creating a list ass can be created in most emailing programs to
> make the conversation as inclusive as possible and it would be a First to a
> point: a computer society having a members meeting in cibre space not being
> restrictted by location.
>
> apoligies for the extended length of the email, I thought it would be the
> least I could do to present the case for the preservation of the society,
> even though I wouldn't be the greatest teckie on the list.
>
> Gerry Shanahan
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kerie Doyle" <kerie.doyle1987@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2014 4:07 PM
> Subject: [vicsireland] Re: EGM of VICS
>
>
>> Hi Pat
>> Is there a specific reason you cannot attend?
>> unfortunately we do not have the facilities to provide a live stream
>> that is private and could be open to non VICS members coming in which
>> we don't want.
>> I would ask everyone please if you are thinking of not attending
>> simply due to lack of interest to please think carefully.
>> If it is unavoidable then of course this is understandable but bear in
>> mind that some of the reason we are where we are is because of some
>> apathy from members so it's really important that as many as possible
>> are there.
>> I have said it once, and I'll say it again, this really is a very
>> important time in the existence of the society, and bearing in mind it
>> could be our last ever meeting, I would find not attending because of
>> lack of interest a bit off putting to be honest and certainly would
>> not, even if I could, facilitate a stream for this reason.
>> Thanks
>> Kerie
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>> On 22 Mar 2014, at 10:44 a.m., pat mccarthy <patmk1@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>
>>> Will there be away for people like me who cannot get there to view what
>>> is happening.
>>>
>>> Pat
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>>> On 22 Mar 2014, at 12:27 a.m., "Owen Kyne" <kyneowen@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I will be present.
>>>>
>>>> Owen Kyne
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>> [mailto:vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
>>>> roslynallman@xxxxxxxxx
>>>> Sent: 21 March 2014 18:53
>>>> To: vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>> Subject: [vicsireland] Re: EGM of VICS
>>>>
>>>> Hi Kerie,
>>>>
>>>> Won't be attending. Apologies.
>>>>
>>>> Roslyn
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: "Kerie Doyle" <kerie.doyle1987@xxxxxxxxx>
>>>> To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>>> Sent: Friday, March 21, 2014 10:43 AM
>>>> Subject: [vicsireland] EGM of VICS
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Good morning to all members
>>>>> I am writing this message to announce an extraordinary general meeting
>>>>> of
>>>>> VICS
>>>>> This will take place on Saturday 26th april
>>>>> time: 12:00 PM
>>>>> Location: NCBI training centre, NCBI head office, Drumcondra Dublin 9
>>>>> Agenda for this meeting consists of only 1 item:
>>>>> What is the future of VICS?
>>>>> In recent years, it is clear to you all I am sure, with the
>>>>> development of smart phone technology, and technology in general, as
>>>>> well as most people's by now, fluent use of the internet to access
>>>>> information and training, as well as training now being provided by
>>>>> organisations apart from VICS that our role has changed significantly
>>>>> over the past number of years.
>>>>> I am of the opinion, along with the other members of the committee,
>>>>> that now the only way to go forward is to get members together and
>>>>> discuss, where, if anywhere, VICS should proceed from here and what is
>>>>> the right way forward.
>>>>> I would ask people to RSVP please no later than Friday, April 18th at
>>>>> 3:00
>>>>
>>>>> PM
>>>>> Lunch will be provided on the day so it will be necessary to give
>>>>> numbers for this, also I would just like an opportunity to gauge
>>>>> general interest.
>>>>> I really do hope to see as many of you there as possible, to discuss
>>>>> what is, no doubt a pivotal point in the existance of VICS
>>>>> Many thanks
>>>>> Kerie Doyle
>>>>>
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
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>>>>
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