I unfortunately learned of this year's TORC forum too late, and it's a shame because it was probably a good one: Envisioning a Future with Broadband Across Rural Ontario -- Developing Strategies towards Enhanced Connectivity, Growth and Utilization. I attended one of these about 10 years ago and it was fantastic. Real knowledge sharing by people just like us, as they say, all of us in this together, standing up and pooling our resources, and sharing what we know for free. Because it is important.

You can click the link below to peek at the agenda for the Brockville and Ingersol sessions, and in the spirit of Linus Pauling's advice on how the best way to have really good ideas is to have lots and lots of them, that same link will lead you to the archived speaker and forum presentations from the 2006 conference covering issues from rural economic foundations to youth engagement to first nations relations and alternative energy. And did I mention it was free?

TORC traditionally hosts three Forums throughout the course of the calendar year. Open to the public and members alike, these Forums are a direct reflection of our interest in capturing the pulse of rural Ontario.
Within the framework of a chosen theme, each Forum draws together the most experienced presenters with participants who are primed to receive the information and channel it effectively.
[ TORC : The Ontario Rural Council ]

Lots of good stuff in there, well worth the browse whatever your interests if any of those interests involve the future vitality of rural living.