Teleconferencing In The Community

Teleconferencing has become the ‘norm’ in the
corporate world with meetings taking place between
participants situated all around the world. But does
it have a use in the community?

Not only does it have a place, it has become
increasingly popular in ways that may surprise you. In
remote areas - Alaska for example - teleconferencing
is used between the public and municipal entities.
Winter weather and vast distances between centers make
face to face meeting difficult and sometimes
dangerous.

The State legislature has set up a communications
system whereby testimony can be given and recorded.
Meetings with residents are also carried out in the
same way.

The center of the ‘hub’ is the capitol building but it
has many conferences centers scattered all over the
state as well as voluntary posts set up in people’s
homes.

This system not only allows for the public at large to
interact with the authorities, it also allows for
interaction amongst themselves.

Issues concerning the community at large can be
discussed prior to the state agencies becoming
involved. In this way they put up a united front and
put their points over more succinctly. This also saves
time for all the parties involved.

This system could also be a life saver. In the middle
of winter this can be used as an invaluable life-line
to far flung outposts.

Who would have thought that this tool - the darling of
the corporate world - could be used so effectively
for, and throughout, the community?