[LINK] e-com models for community sector

[Karin Geiselhart]

Here's an area that doesn't seem to get much coverage in the IT pages:

 I announce with pride and pleasure the launch of what is probably the only current Australian example of a proper online petition (acceptable to Parliament) at:http://nwjc.ozpetition.com/ 

The petition address the changes to the Sex Discrimination Act that would limit access to certain fertility treatments by particular groups of women.

It applies the efficiencies of electronic commerce to a social and policy issue.  As with many experiments in achieving a 'democratic dividend' through electronic communications, the process used for this project is as critical as the technological underpinnings (dynamic content, using ASP and an Access database, meets W3C specs for accessibility).  It is an Australian example of the application of new economic models to the community sector, through collaboration with industry and academia, creating a virtual team. 
 
It was developed as a community project by the innovative group www.wwwicked.net <http://www.wwwicked.net/> for the National Women's Justice Coalition (guiding force Judy Harrison), with help from the Women's Electoral Lobby, Kirsty Magarey (who was involved with a similar petition about Native Title), and the wonderful CASE <http://www.case.org.au/>, a community based group providing computer assistance and education.

Now that the site and software are established, the potential for low cost extension to other groups is large.  This semi-open source approach is also being used by some local councils, another area where new economic models are taking hold.

It will be launched at the ACT celebration of the Virtual Centre for Women and the Law on Wed Oct 11, by Kate Lundy  <http://www.nwjc.org.au/actlaunch.htm>://www.nwjc.org.au/actlaunch.
 <http://www.nwjc.org.au/actlaunch.htm> 

PS The site also allows signatories to choose whether their name will appear online.

Karin

RMIT Uni