Conference opened by Terry Stokes and Ian Runeckles (pictured above) from LASA – aim of Conference is to aid interaction, networking and learning from each other. For those bloggers we are going to be using the ukriders and crconf08 tags so that all the really useful information can be pulled in to one place. There is also a flickr site (http://www.flickr.com/ukriders) where photos from the day will be placed. Wide range of sessions over the next 2 days to cover a range of topics. View the Circuit Rider Conference set of photos - http://www.flickr.com/photos/ukriders/sets/72157603999153248/. To view all photos from the conference have a look at http://www.flickr.com/tags/crconf08 Introductions and words about what people want to get out of conference (not noted as too many people) Really wide range of people from England, Scotland,Wales and overseas delegates. Theme of conference allowing people to take a break from writing funding bids and “being turned in to a social enterprise” Keywords from introductions:

• Network
• Share
• Learn
• Absorbing

Spectrogram:

Asked for people to use 2 hats when answering questions:

1. viewpoint of a Circuit Rider
2. from the point of view of groups you work with,

Question why you are where you at. Does this change your perspective? Statement 1 - VCOs using the internet (web2.0) now have the tools and power to change the world for the better… First comment - Is it the potential to use the power – “this moment in time” High level of disagreement with statement... Those that disagreed were for the following reasons:

• The question irrelevant because the intended audience are very good with technology.
• What is definition of Web2 – where you are on the spectrum could influence where you are – may move all to dead centre.
• Are your trying to change the world, does it work??
• Technology is available – are the enough community organisation using it to make a difference….
• Technology has always existed – not technology but people change the world.
• What is appropriate – old school, what ICT can do to help organisations. Cannot see “virtual world” getting to vco’s – how much use they are for everyday organisation is not necessarily relevant.
• Different issues for rural areas – no access to broadband, predominance of older people. Take a longer time to change their world – resistence, appropriate use.
• Significant political element – how effective is it in changing the world, the reaction to it by politicans – not as successful as it should be. Technology and will is there but also political will to stop it happen.

Those that agreed were for the following reason:

• new tools can bring together people who believe in the same cause, for example the consultation on Heathrow airport extension.
• Seeing it on the ground. Direct action – use website differently with tools to mobilse people around an issue.
• It is happening now – local community group to save canal. Using facebook and flickr to get message across globally.
• It is happening organically.
• Tools can be catalyst.

Feeling that organisations are spending time and energy on making organisations run and not changing the world. Used mainly for fire fighting and fighting for funding. John Kenyon (perspective from outside UK) – promise and organisations doing good things but in infancy. Organisations are working to keep organisations – metaphor of a meal given - web2 is like a dessert and most organisations are still tucking in to their starter. Raised a number of questions…

• The question as it is worded makes you think about what you are doing with VCO’s
• ICT is just one tool in an organisations armourtseveral tools, part of armoury.
• Structural problems for organisations – need an element of creativity to make it work and VCOs are run by committees and risk averse.
• Where does the impetus come from – what is pushing the organisation….what is the driver?

When the questions was asked again there was some movement towards disagree.. Three key issues that were raised:

1. What is Web2? Clarification of what me mean by a term….
2. Difference between reality and aspiration - is it an appropriate aspiration?
3. Concern raised as tools are owned by somebody and giving information – slightly cautious of what information you give up.

Reflection – thread of strategic thinking through sessions about how we work with organisations. Statement 2– Circuit Riders do not have the skills and correct level of skills to the satisfaction of vco’s they work for Responses were very much compressed around neutral with the folllowing comments:

• Don’t know enough about organisations to give opinion
• Skills – what do we mean by skills – technical or soft skills
• ICT a combination of technical and strategic – deliver both to organsiations, establish business case and then advise of practical – improve on strategic awareness
• Don’t have Circuit Riders in Wales – outside looking in as don’t have anything to compare with
• Need a context of individual and organisational skills

Was some disagreement for the following reasons:

• Personally have the skills to do the job – if don’t have the skills failing of employers rather than circuit rider context.
• Moving technology means constantly changing skill levels and demands
• A lot of skills come through experience – cannot read in a book.
• Problem is that organisations do not want CR to be learning on the job – the way we develop skills?

There was some agreement with the statement:

• What is the measure of VCO satisfaction?
• Focus on horizontal (expert on ICT) – need a vertical skills (processes and objectives or organisation) – overqualified in ICT and not in the sector….
• Can one person hold all of those skills? Or is it a team needed?

The challenge at the Conference will be to think about how you would move along spectrum based on sessions…are you going to move?