Step 1: Goals and Challenges

Purpose: Develop a plan to build and sustain your Community Access Program

Before starting any of changes activities, it is crucial that you first define what you want to accomplish and then identify challenges and solutions.

• Have a Good Definition of “Sustainability”

Sustainability means more than having enough funding for your program to survive. It might include:

a. Independence
b. The ability to replicate programs
c. A sense of community ownership
d. A strong program and organizational identity
e. The ability to expand services
f. Meeting a community’s needs
g. Integration with other programs in the organization

• Define your goals

What would you like your CAP site to look like? Who will provide the main support for the technology and the staff? Who will be the major users of CAP sites? What benefits do you expect the community to gain from the service?

• Develop a Meaningful Mission Statement

Think of your CAP’s mission as centered on something other than technology is always more sustainable. By keeping your focus on your core mission and addressing basic needs in your community, you will more trusted than if you recreate your organization every few years to address funder’s latest issue of the day.

• Identify Potential Challenges

There are many factors to consider here: expansion plans, necessary upgrades, the need for securing technical support, ongoing volunteer and staff training, possible budget cuts and fund raising.

• Develop possible solution to these challenge and plans to reach your goals

What resources can you find or leverage to help you sustain your CAP sites?