News from the Idaho Rural Partnership: April 2020 |
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WITH THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: |
We hope you find The Idaho Ruralist of value.
You may opt out of this newsletter via the "unsubscribe" option at the end of this issue, but we hope you stay tuned!
Have questions or ideas to share? Let us know!
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In This Issue:
- Video conferencing: a Tool Built for this Time
- COVID-19 resources
- Novel Responses to a Novel Virus
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Pro Tip: Choosing and using an app is the best way to become familiar with video conferencing. Once you’ve installed your chosen app, we recommend completing one or two trial video conferences with a friend or family member. It helps to do the trial run with someone who is familiar with the app. We find that subsequent video conferences provide opportunities to learn more about using the app’s various features.
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Thank you to Idaho Department of Commerce, Bayer U.S., and Rocky Mountain Power |
IRP could not serve rural communities the way we do without the generous support of many public and private sector partners.
We appreciate the office space provided to IRP by the Idaho Department of Labor from 2014-2019 and thank the Idaho Department of Commerce for being our new home beginning in November 2019.
We are also grateful for recent contributions of $5,000 from Bayer U.S. and $2,000 from Rocky Mountain Power to support or work in and with Idaho's rural communities. This support is particularly important as we work with our partner organizations and agencies to help communities respond to and recover from the Coronavirus pandemic. Thank you!
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Video Conferencing: A Tool Built for this Time |
Idaho Rural Partnership began communicating with partner organizations and agencies by video conference about two years ago. There’s little doubt we will be increasing our use of this important tool as we help communities worth through and recover from the Coronavirus. We value seeing the people with whom we’re communicating across the miles. We’ve found video conferencing tools easy to use (after a short learning curve) and we can see the value of continuing to use them even once we can meet in person again.
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Benefits of video conferencing |
- Having a combination of in-person meeting and some attendees phoning in creates an unequal experience for participants who are not physically at the meeting location. By not being able to see visual cues, not knowing who is speaking, and often not being able to hear well, remote participants are less included in meetings and therefore have less impact.
- Compared to a phone conference,“ seeing” what someone is saying reduces the possibility of miscommunication.
- Video conferencing helps develop a more personal connection between people, particularly if they haven’t met in person before.
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Video conferencing has been shown to increase productivity by supporting team building and morale and increases the likelihood people will follow through on commitments and reach out for help when needed.
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Video conferencing can reduce the need to meet in-person, saving time and travel expenses even when in-person meetings are feasible.
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Most video conference apps allow you to join a video conference using your web browser. All you need is a link provided by the person organizing (aka “hosting”) the meeting.
Meeting hosts typically must have an account and an app installed on their device. All video conferencing apps can be used on computers, tablets, and smart phones.
Whatever tool you choose, the key requirements are a strong internet connection and a device with a camera and microphone. External USB-powered cameras with integrated microphones are available if your computer monitor does not have a built-in camera.
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Here are a few observations about the free video conference tools we’ve used or are using at IRP.
Zoom
Zoom is perhaps the best-known video conferencing app. The meeting host must have a paid version of Zoom (starting at $14.99/month) in order to host meetings with three or more people for longer than 40 minutes. Zoom video conferences allow up to 100 participants. The program also allows the video conference to be recorded and allows screen sharing that enables all participants to view the same document or Powerpoint presentation, for example.
Go to Zoom to sign up and download the free version, or find out about the paid versions.
Watch this YouTube Zoom 101 video to learn more.
Skype
Skype is the “O.G.” of video conferencing. The service supports both audio only and video calls over the internet. Under their free account, Skype video conference calls can accommodate up to 50 people.
Go to Skype to learn about its group video options.
Whereby
Unlike Zoom, Whereby’s free account does not have a 40-minute limit per video call. The disadvantage of Whereby is that each video call is limited to a maximum of four people (unless you choose one of the paid account options).
Go to Whereby for more information and to sign up.
Facetime
All Apple iphones, ipads, and Mac computers come with Facetime installed. The obvious downside is that people who have Windows or Android-based devises cannot use Facetime. Apple's Facetime user’s guide.
Other Video Conferencing Apps and Resources
There are a number of free video conference apps in addition to Skype, Zoom, Whereby, and Facetime. There are also many video conference services like Go To Meeting that do not offer a free option.
If you want to know about other tools, these articles may be of use:
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Coronavirus/COVID-19 Resources for Rural Communities, Organizations, and Businesses |
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Idaho Rural Partnership has compiled a list of resources to support rural communities, organizations, and businesses impacted by the Coronavirus/COVID-19. This list will evolve and be re-circulated in coming weeks and months. Please contact IRP Executive Director Jon Barrett or call 208-383-9687 if you are aware of resources that should be added to this list.
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Coronavirus/COVID-19 Resources of Statewide Interest
The Idaho Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – assistance to impacted businesses within the six SBDCs associated with the colleges and universities in Coeur d’Alene, Lewiston, Boise, Twin Falls, Pocatello, and Idaho Falls.
USDA Rural Development - information about immediate measures they are taking to support rural residents, businesses and communities affected by COVID-19
The COVID-19 Fund for Idaho – a charitable fund created by The Idaho Community Foundation, United Ways of Idaho, and Idaho Nonprofit Center to provide philanthropic support to trusted organizations that provide support and services to low-income, vulnerable people and families.
Main Street America (a program of the nonprofit National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation).
Idaho Makers for Equity - a statewide initiative of the Idaho STEM Action Center, who have grant funds available to participants
Region-specific Coronavirus/COVID-19 Resources
The Innovia Foundation - two COVID-19 Response and Recovery Funds – one for Eastern Washington and one for North Idaho -- will rapidly deploy resources to community-based organizations at the frontlines of the region’s Coronavirus outbreak.
Venture Network at North Idaho College - sponsoring a weekly North Idaho COVID-19 Business Leaders Call every Friday afternoon. The 1-hour Zoom calls enable North Idaho-based business owners and organizational leaders learn more about the local, state, and national responses to COVID-19 and their impact to business operations.
Idaho Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Idaho Innovation Center in Idaho Falls - hosting weekly teleconferences on Business Survival in a Challenging Economy on April 2nd, 9th, and 16th. 2 sessions will be held each Thursday—AM Session from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm & PM Session from 1:30-3:00 pm. Pre-registration is required to reserve your virtual seat each week (Select REGION VI). Presenters will include the Idaho Small Business Administration (SBA), Idaho Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Idaho Innovation Center.
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A Fond Farewell to Long-Time IRP Administrative Assistant Vickie Winkel |
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In December 2019 our Administrative Assistant Vickie Winkel decided the time had come for her to pursue other interests. We wish Vickie well and thank her for her approximately 15 years of service to IRP. Thank you, Vickie! |
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Novel Responses to a Novel Virus
How philanthropic giving and the public sector can support housing stability and limit human and economic impacts in the age of COVID-19
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The COVID-19 pandemic and corresponding economic downturn are impacting communities already reeling from an historic housing crisis brought on by a wave of real estate speculation and inflation. Organizations supporting displaced households through homelessness prevention, shelter services or rapid re-housing have seen demand for services surge as unemployment climbs, while scheduled fundraising events have been cancelled in observance of 'stay at home' orders and responsible social distancing measures. |
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The potential public health and safety effects of this additional burden are both significant and urgent. For individuals and families facing homelessness, congregate shelters are a primary resource, followed closely by doubling up, living on the street or in vehicles. Close quarters, shared bathroom facilities and dining areas make social distancing difficult. Failure to plan ahead for the inevitable community spread in these conditions means 'planning behind', which is what happened recently in one community.
None of these options are conducive to individual and public health or safety during a viral outbreak. So what can be done?
To find out more, read IRP Board Member Erik Kingston's article about the possible solutions and available resources in his recent Linked In article, or contact Erik to obtain a copy direct.
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Want to keep up with new resources in response to the COVID-19 situation? Follow us on Facebook for updates as and when we find them.
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700 W. State Street
Boise, Idaho 83702
208-332-1730
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