dfe proposal

The DFE Proposal I submitted in the fall went forward, and I thought I would blog some of my experiences thus far.

Sara Naab has been an exceptional mentor. I would strongly recommend that anyone interested in learning more about thinking through information strategies in an international setting get in touch with her, even just to talk. Our weekly phone calls have been a real help this semester, even just to share information and struggles.

SI 575—CIC DFE Proposal Organization: The Stewardship Network, a Michigan non-profit with its headquarters office in Ann Arbor, has for the last 5+ years been working to develop a statewide network that will connect individuals, organizations, and businesses that are interested in and working to protect Michigan’s natural lands and waters. It seeks to make this work more effective by helping interested parties share ideas, resources, and information.

I tried to make some changes to work on scope and time issues, and tried to tighten the connection to SI skills. Organization The Kettering Foundation is a private operating foundation in Dayton OH that researches democracy and how to make it work better through the practice of deliberative democracy. The Foundation produces a number of research papers every year, has a substantial network of contract researchers producing papers, and works with National Issues Forums to create forums on public policy issues around the country.

Freedom From Hunger

From the Freedom From Hunger website: "Founded in 1946, Freedom from Hunger is a nonprofit, international development organization that brings innovative and sustainable self-help solutions to the fight against chronic hunger and poverty." FFH is a training organization focusing on microcredit, health and food security. For more information, I would recommend their content management system at http://www.ffhtechnical.org.

Technically, I have not changed the text of the proposal, but based on the comments I received, I will add some information about where this kind of internship could happen. The main library I had in mind was the Ypsilanti District Library because I interned there this past summer and I know their computer training classes are in high demand. They offer courses in using the Internet and MS Office products, and very basic courses such as how to use a mouse. I’m not completely sure if they could accommodate a project like this, but the person to contact would be Paula Drummond, Head of Adult Services (drummond@ypsilibrary.org) if anyone is interested in inquiring about the possibilities of such an internship at the Ypsilanti District Library. They have one person who teaches the classes who could serve as the mentor for teaching, but I don’t know how much expertise she has in carrying out an evaluation of the classes.