[New-imc] two ideas: imc-tech/new-imc team

[Jay]

Hi all,

Just reread some comments from Petros from last month, comments that hit
home with where we are in the network but didn't elicit much response.  One
thing he discusses is the fact that the new-imc working group only fulfills
a certain part of an aspiring imc's needs.  We help them get their
membership info together and do provide a helping hand at first, but we
fall very short in offering a clear path to techincal support.  Also, once
a new-imc passes through imc-process, we don't communicate with them,
leaving them hanging, especially if they need tech help.

Two ideas come to mind:
-- Solidifying an imc-tech sub group that specifically helps new-imcs.  I
know we tried to do this at one point, and I know specific individuals have
helped consistently.  Perhaps this subgroup already exists in some form.
If so, we should do what we can to support it.  Evan, Christopher, I know
you have been helping new-imcs techincally.  Any ideas for how to solidify
such a group?  There are several IMCs that have passed through the new-imc
process but sill have no site.

-- A check-in letter.  In the absence of a system where an aspiring imc
becomes a "temporary imc" for a number of months before really becoming
"official" members of the network, a period which would deliniate a clear
time frame for continued support from the new-imc group (and an idea we've
tossed around a bit), I think we should make it part of our task to check
in with new-imcs at least a couple times over the first few months of their
membership in the network.  We should ask them how they're doing after one
month, maybe check in again at three, then the last time at six.  This will
give the new-imcs a way to ease into the network, as we'll keep reminding
them that we're here to answer questions.

I know this may add extra work at points, because new-imcs will definitely
have questoins, but, really, have we truly completed our task if a group
has passed through our process and then we leave them completely in the dark?

I'm willing to send a note to all English-speaking new-imcs that have
joined the network over the next few months to ask them how things are
going.  At the very least, this will help them feel as if they're not alone
in navigating the network.

Any thoughts on this?

Jay