The CAP Network Structure
What is a Community Resource / CAP Network?
A CAP Network consists of a grouping of CAP sites (urban and/or rural) that share a common interest and purpose, and that are committed to working together in pursuit of common objectives with other partners. These may be Library Boards, School Boards, Boards of Trade, Economic Development Boards, Municipalities, Community Free Nets, Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) Industry Canada and other federal and provincial departments and agencies. By combining strengths, assets and resources from all their partners and participants, Community Resource Networks can address local and regional issues and concerns that they must deal with in Canada's knowledge-based economy. These collaborative efforts are a cost-effective way to help a community access the tools and gain the skills it needs.
How Does a Community Initiate a Network?
There are as many different ways to create a community network as there are communities. The number of CAP sites in each network varies. While each network creates its own unique set-up, successful models are emerging from these network-building experiences that can provide us with valuable lessons. The first lesson is that creating a network and combining resources can provide a higher level and quality of access to information technology tools (computers, the Internet, etc.) than any one CAP site could do on its own. And there is a stronger likelihood that long-term sustainability of community access will be ensured.
Are All CAP Networks Organized in the Same Way?
A CAP Network can have a geographic basis, for example, defined by the borders of a county, city, school board jurisdiction, tourist or economic development region or a combination of these. Or it can be defined by a shared interest or purpose, like those of Aboriginal Canadians or the Acadian community. Any of the participating parties can take the lead sponsorship or coordinating role, and that may change over time depending on each community's own circumstances. The bottom line is: no one size fits all communities. The most successful networks, however, are based on partnerships and share a good many of the following characteristics and success factors.
Network Factors of Success
The Partners
- champion a common vision for community economic and social development
- play existing and integral roles in the community
- respect each other's roles and mandates
- seek to achieve goals through the partnership, where this makes sense
- bring their own unique resources to the partnership
- share resources of the partnership in pursuit of cost-efficiency
The Partnerships
- are stable, yet dynamic
- play an enabling rather than a controlling role
- make effective use of existing community infrastructures
- make good use of volunteers
- are funded from multiple sources
- support innovation and entrepreneurship
- place high value on leadership and its development