Whoa, hoss

Time to slow down; we got a lot of work to do.

Two main initiatives over the next two months: develop some sort of communication strategy and initiate professional and informal readership surveys.

Our project is tasked with filling the voids in local information so we need to discover those voids.

So before we start talking about what we are going to do, we need to get a handle on some basic information.

That's task numero uno.

Boldness, courage and change

The Knight Foundation seminar wrapped up with talk of boldness and courage; civic catalysts and change.

I heard people talk about responsibility of news organizations and the gaps in local news that exist across the country.

And there was a lot of discussion about solutions. (Here is the Knight blog with video from the breakout sessions.)

One issue discussed by a couple of people is the lack of broadband coverage. Most of the projects funded by the Knight Foundation center on Web-based dissemination of information (here is a list of the projects). More than one person called access to broadband the divide in America's two-class system. 

I think more access to broadband internet in Wisconsin Rapids can better educate, inform, and connect the folks in the area. It is something that needs to be a priority, simple as that. (the FCC has an outreach program.)

We also have to provide more information and connect with more people. During a session this morning, the group was studying The Forum from New Hampshire. This little, home-brewed start up has filled gaps in local news coverage with volunteers: moms and dads, friends, and family. After the first year, they reported an huge increase in contested elections. Considering the number of uncontested races in Wood County, we have a lot of work to do.

There are hurdles; yet there are people willing to make the leap.

Gwen Ifill recap

Kristin Taylor of the Knight Foundation has been diligently blogging and recording video from this weeks conference. 

Check out her vid of Gwen Ifill's conference-opening remarks

One day down, a million to go

Entering Day 2 at the Knight Foundation seminar in Miami, my thoughts are in Wisconsin Rapids.

Yesterday was a blur. Knight is funding 21 community foundations (including Wisconsin Rapids) across the country each with a task of helping citizens lead more informed lives (although the projects have a different scope). 

How are they going to do it?

How are we going to do it?

After the first day, I don't know. But I know it needs to be done.

News is important to a democracy, without a doubt. But the importance of local news to a community has never been greater.

Without getting all teary-eyed and philosophical, I hope when we look up a year or 18 months from now, people are better informed with what can affect their lives. And their lives are better for it.