Poll results on creation of PhilCeCNet regional chapters

From December 29, 2009 to January 31, 2010, we ran an online poll in PhilCeCNet.ph with the question “Are you in favor of creating PhilCeCNet Regional Chapters?” All thirty-eight respondents answered in the affirmative.

The poll was actually posted in tandem with an online discussion started by PhilCeCNet Coordinator Ave Manriquez in the PhilCeCNet online community with the intention of generating feedback and soliciting suggestions from the community that would aid the network in crafting its future initiatives and in formulating guidelines for the creation of said regional chapters. As in the poll, members replied to the discussion positively.

Yasmini Luz Dendiego of the National Computer Center has this to say: “I think that it would be best to set up regional chapters for the PhilCeCNet so that peculiar issues/concerns in the regions may well be given focus… This setup would also help PhilCeCNet gain a wider reach and consequently greater participation among CeC stakeholders, players and implementers based in the regions...”

Meanwhile, Bato Community eCenter (CeC) manager Ma. Marvin Amatorio shares that having regional chapters will “give chance to CeC knowledge workers with less budget [to] attend conferences and share their ideas and experiences”.

Nuava Vizcaya CeC Manager Jimmy Calata, who sits in the PhilCeCNet Executive Council and chairs the CeC Development and Management Committee, suggested that the issue be included in the agenda of the next Executive Council meeting.

The idea of creating regional chapters for PhilCeCNet actually surfaced at the PhilCeCNet General Assembly held during the 5th Knowledge Exchange Conference on CeCs last September 24, 2009.

The discussion in the PhilCeCNet online community is still open and additional comments and suggestions are most welcome.