Advisory Group

Making Open Access Connections Even Better: the Advisory Group

In February of 2005, Open Access Connections used its broadcast capacity to recruit participants in the Open Access Connections user Advisory Group. The Advisory Group meets monthly and has focused their efforts on issues of concern to voice mail users. For example, when the Federal Communications Commission was going to change the way that it taxes phone lines into a more regressive form of taxation, they actively contacted members of Congress to oppose this tax change. Members see the Advisory Group as their organization and have elected members to the Open Access Connections Board.

As one member said: “I look forward to these meetings because I spend time with people like me. They understand what I am going through.” Another said, “You have something going on in your life when you participate in the Advisory Group.”

The Advisory Group provides Open Access Connections with feedback and recommendations for improving our services. In addition, the members of the group share information about resources and share their skills with one another. In January 2010, the group decided to make jobs policies and programs a major focus for their future meetings. The Group will gather information on policies to promote job growth and programs that provide resources for people who have a harder time securing employment.

If you would like to join the Advisory Group or learn more, contact Ed Petsche, Community Organizer/Community Outreach Specialist, at 651-603-5147 or .