Reflections

by Victoria Kumpuris

To be completely frank, I had no idea where to even begin when compiling my thoughts for this final summation of all that has been accomplished, discussed, potentially overlooked and debated over the past school year. There seems to be such an overload of information that distinguishing succinct points and lessons learned would go far beyond what this particular piece requires. Thus, this will focus on two primary objectives. First, how the Austin Access Model and the CTC movement translates into broader theories of community development. From our yearlong observations, is the Austin Access Model fulfilling its mission and do CTCs represent the next wave of community activism? Secondly, I wanted to offer some thoughts on what I have learned in my first experience as part of a research team and what the community of inquiry has taught me as a graduate student.

The Austin Access Model has a three-fold goal of building affordable neighborhood networks that provide access to multi-media for all city residents. If you take a step back, this mission statement alone is a pioneering effort, as many larger metropolis do not have a model for neighborhood linkage and connectivity of this level of sophistication. From our observations, one could say that access is a reality for many Austin-area residents. Some neighborhoods, such as the more mature 11th/12th Street corridor are a little bit more evolved than others. However, after looking at a number of our participant surveys, many of those questioned state that their facility is part of a network of flourishing centers of public life (schools, churches, etc.). Thus, these CTCs will ideally continue to become more and more involved in their specific communities, and hopefully through time they will develop relationships with one another. As pointed out in the group conclusion piece, these relationships are of utmost importance to the success of the Austin Access Model since in order for all citizens to have access there must be a constant information share between these organizations.

The turning point in the goal behind the AAM is when all the forces synergize to spark a collective conversation. This conversation goes beyond the bounds of technology to community development. Ultimately, CTC participants will not only learn valuable advanced digital technology skills, but they will in turn become connected with their neighbors. This connectivity will bring about corresponding change as these people are newly empowered to form a powerful community of educated individuals who are able to lobby for the betterment of the communities in which they live. The power for technology to act as a catalyst is what makes CTCs a good example of the power of community-based organizations (CBOs) to act as innovators to bring about lasting change for the disenfranchised members of society.

CBOs are only effective they act as a force of innovation, meaning that they are consistently open to re-invention and the incorporation of new ideas to best serve their clientele to yield empowerment. A good example of the ever-evolving and innovating CBO would be the CTC. Technology in every aspect has always acted as a source of unification. In Marcella Ridlen Ray's writing, Civic Engagement in American Democracy - Technological Change and Associational Life , she discusses how all forms of new communication technology from the newspaper to the telephone have brought about corresponding transformations in human relationships. Technology serves as a catalyst - one that stimulates civic engagement - conversation that ultimately leads to change. As Ray wrote, "Americans put technology to work on behalf of social connectedness" and change in associational life is intimately linked with applications of technology". The CBO is already an effective tool for change in neighborhoods since this small-scale human entity can really ingrain themselves and understand the community in which it resides. The introduction of technology into its organizational structure and program offerings can only make the organization itself a more thriving unit that helps to empower the clientele that it serves.

On a personal level, I have learned an unbelievable amount in this PRP. This is why it is hard to close with reflections; it would be far easier to end with questions. On a simple level, this PRP has been an invaluable introduction to Austin itself. Since I literally had never visited Austin before the first day at the LBJ School, my experiences both in the classroom and out in the field brought me a greater understanding of the city. Also, I have learned a lot through field visits. I discovered how difficult it is to act as a researcher. I continually found myself in settings where although the information had been collected and the deed had been accomplished, I could not behave as a researcher and leave since I felt a human obligation to interact with the individuals involved. This sense of conscience (without a better word) was good in that in enabled me to develop closer relationships with many of the centers visited, but also led me into some uncomfortable situations. It is hard to conduct qualitative research, since many times you are asking personal information or develop friendships with the people of whose time and energies you are requiring. I also appreciated the importance of reading different theories and then seeing them at work in the field. This was an entirely different school of learning but added value to the quality of our research.

Finally, I must comment on how positive this experience has been as a member of a group. Many times group work, either in school or in a work environment, can be an intensely painful effort filled with conflict and controversy that ultimately produces a sub-standard end product. This was to the contrary as everyone was able to respect each other s differing opinions, concur on a single solution, stick to deadlines and individual responsibilities in order to accomplish a set goal. At the risk of sounding nostalgic, I am proud to have been a part of this team and am looking forward to keeping up with everyone in the future.