Programs

Videoconferencing

We have set up 4 videoconferencing centers in Rogersville, Harrogate, Sneedville and Church Hill and will soon have centers in Rutledge and Maynardville. These videoconferencing centers allow us to hold meetings and participate in trainings and educational activities throughout our five county area. If you are interested in utilizing our centers for your business or organization, contact Chris Osborn, the Network Coordinator at (865) 828-5927. Please see the following Videoconferencing FAQ for more information.

New! See a listing of every videoconference held on the network.

Videoconference Centers

• Claiborne County: Lincoln Memorial University
• Grainger County: RC&D office (coming soon)
• Hancock County: Hancock County Library
• Hawkins County: Rogersville Chamber of Commerce/ U.S. Bank
• Hawkins County: Holston Business Development Center

ClinchPowell.net

This website was developed in conjunction with the Clinch-Powell Regional Network. A regularly posted survey will allow anyone that visits this site to give feedback into the Clinch-Powell Enterprise Community and the community at large. If you have not already filled out a survey, please take the time to do so. We care about what you think of our community.

The Sneedville/Hancock Partners meet with a number of faculty at ETSU via videoconferencing.

Computers have been set up throughout the five county area, so that residents can access this site. Above is Shepard's Corner in Rogersville, which houses one of our Public Access Computers

USDA Rural Development Rural Business Opportunities Grant (RBOG)

The funding for the Clinch-Powell Regional Network comes from a grant received by USDA Rural Development. A grant for $49,000 was awarded to the RC&D for a period of July 2004 through June-2006

To find out more about videoconferencing through our network:

Read the following short Videoconferencing FAQ
Download a short introduction to videoconferencing
       complied by the Office of Information Technology at
       ETSU
Call or Email Chris Osborn: 865-828-5927

Videoconferencing FAQ

What is Videoconferencing?
Videoconferencing allows two or more individuals at different locations to see and hear each other through the use of a video camera and monitor at each end.

What is required to do videoconferencing?
Our videoconferencing units are from the VTEL Galaxy 500 series. They include a monitor, a computer running special codec software, a small camera, a microphone designed to pick up noise throughout a room, and a document camera for sharing printed material during the conference. Our videoconferencing units are set up on data networks that provide highbandwidth access to the internet.

What can be shared during a videoconference?
In addition to being able to interact with a remote location through video, this equipment allows for physical documents to be viewed by the remote site. Since our equipment runs off a PC with Windows 98, you can share electronic documents as well. Slide shows and PowerPoint presentations work extremely well over the systems, and in certain cases you can transfer files back and forth between locations.

Can I only videoconference with one other person (site)?
To link more than two sites together in a conference requires the use of a device called an MCU. The Clinch-Powell Regional Network has an MCU that can connect up to 6 sites in a multi-point conference. This conference can be set up so that one site is broadcasting information to the other sites, or through a voice activation method. If you are interested in doing a multi-point conference, contact Chris Osborn (mailto:chris@clinchpowell.org) at 865-828-5927.

Will it cost me anything to use?
While the equipment that we use has been purchased through the grant, there are a number of other costs involved with videoconferencing. Users of the system may be asked to pay a small fee to help us offset these costs. The amount requested will be based on a number of factors and will vary for different users.

How reliable is videoconferencing?
Videoconferencing requires the use of new and immerging technologies. While the equipment is well maintained and tested regularly, it can and will have problems.

Videoconferencing is neat, but is it really that useful?
The C-Host program presented a report on school violence to high school principals in our five county area. The conference saved many of the principles from having to drive 30+ miles to a central location. Had the meeting not been video-conferenced, most of the principle would not have been able to attend.

Clinch-Powell RC&D gave directions to over a dozen fire departments in the area on how to apply for a special FEMA grant. Had videoconferencing not been available, many of the Fire Departments would not have found out how to prepare a proposal in time to meet the dead line.

The KADON Corporation has utilized videoconferencing to do staff trainings with their Georgia office. Had videoconferencing not been available, they would have had to provide airfare, meals and lodging to the participating employees, so that they could travel to Georgia for a 6-hour meeting.

The Tele-Democracy Network would not have been possible without the help from the groups listed below.

Department of Commerce
Grainger County Board of Education
Sprint Communications
US Bank : Rogersville
Lincoln Memorial University
Hancock County Executive Office
Hancock Public Library
Rogersville/Hawkins County Chamber of Commerce
Microsoft Mid-West Division