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09/06/2005 Archived Entry: "report on Saturday 3rd Sept Meeting"

Report on Saturday's Meeting

Here is the report on the meeting held on Saturday. I am emailing it to members of the Development Group, posting it on the discussions forum
and posting it on the NYPO Blog too.

On Saturday 3rd September a meeting of the NYPO Development Group was held at Forest Gate Youth Centre. It was attended by Gavin, Ola, Spike, Sulthana and Pratik. With the exception of Pratik all of the attendees were staff members. Gavin noted that although this was disappointing he had not expected anyone else as unexpected work during the last two weeks of the summer programme meant that he had not been able to devote time to reminding and encouraging members to come to the meeting.

A number of forthcoming NYPO projects were discussed these included:

1. A programme of activities for the Development Group which would enable them to manage the development of the NYPO Project as a steering group and to take on various tasks on behalf of the project.

2. Creating a team of Junior ICT workers who would help with the development of ICT in youth centres and help with projects, in particular the Summer School in 2006. The Junior ICT workers will undertake a course of training between November 2005 and May 2006. The training will consist of attendance at sixteen evening sessions and one residential weekend course. We will be looking for a team of fourteen participants aged between 13 and 19. Participants will be eligible for the Youth Achievement Award, the Duke of Edinburgh Award and the Millenium Award. The course has yet to be developed and agreed but it is likely to include the following elements.

a) Introduction - working as a team / course overview
b) Keeping a Personal Portfolio.
c) Understanding the Internet as a tool for learning, entertainment, communication, information and commerce
d) Understanding the concepts behind NYPO and other online communities.
e) Understanding the NYPO Internet Basics Course in order to assist other young people in using the course.
f) An overview of the principles of good web design.
g) Understanding how the Internet can be used to support young people's participation in discussion decision making.
h) Basic understanding of the technology underlying the Internet.
i) Basic understanding of the technology of personal computers.
j) Online Safety and Privacy Issues
k) Understanding the Youth Service and its aims.
l) Some work on video filming and editing

Aditionally participants will be encouraged to take responsibility for a particular piece of work (eg working on a magazine or newsletter for a youth centre).

3. Developing the NYPO Internet Basics Course so that it is more challenging and attractive to young people. The course will be offered at up to five youth centres depending on staffing and budget.

4. Developing a computer maintenance/upgrading course to be run on saturdays at a venue to be agreed. We will aim to start during the half-term break 24th - 28th October and continue on saturdays from 29th October.

5. Developing a computer graphics design course to be run on saturdays at a venue to be agreed. We will aim to start during the half-term break 24th - 28th October and continue on saturdays from 29th October.

6. Improving the NYPO website now and later with the assistance of the Developers Group.

Leading up to these projects the following work needs to be done:

1. Inform all current NYPO members of plans for Development Group and Junior ICT Workers

2. Develop and produce Membership Pack for Development Group and General members.

3. Develop online dialogue with members about their learning needs and current skills levels.

4. All members to be offered access to learning programme linked to accreditation Youth Achievement Award and NYPO Award (to be developed)

5. Plan Relaunch of NYPO ot Saturday 15th October at a 'general meeting' which will:

a) Formally set up the Steering Group
b) Agree the Aims of NYPO generally for the coming year
c) Recruit for Junior ICT Assistants and Participants in the courses outlined above.
d) Offer Special Awards to young people who have done ICT work with NYPO

If anyone who was at the meeting wants to add anyrhing they can do so on the developers board in the discussions forum.