Scotch College

OSCA-net Approved

After many months of discussion, planning and research, the ambitious OSCA-net project has received ringing endorsement from the School Council and the Foundation Board, and has moved into implementation.

While OSCA continues to provide a wide range of activities within the School Community, many of those activities involve a relatively limited proportion of the total Old Boy community, and in particular are not well supported by younger Old Boys.

The Networking Initiative (OSCA-net) is the key to ‘reigniting the spirit of networking and community within the Old Scotch community’.

By taking advantage of computers and the internet, OSCA will be able to put in place an infrastructure that will streamline communication with, and amongst Old Boys and allow the cost effective establishment of a wide range of services, over time.

Four services will be developed during the initial stages of the Network Initiative:

• A Networking Service that is based around a comprehensive online directory that will be searchable, self updateable, secure and private and will be synchronised appropriately with existing School databases
• A Career Mentoring Service facilitated by electronic networking and targeted initially to younger Old Boys. This service will be lead by Career Area champions and will draw on an experienced pool of Old Boys.
• An Information Service based on an upgraded Web Site that will support the activities and programmes of OSCA and its Affiliated Societies
• An ‘email for life’ facility that will link Old Boys into the Scotch Network

In addition to the OSCA-net technology two additional staff will be recruited into the OSCA team to support the network and to manage the growing range of services it will facilitate.

OSCA-net will enable Old Scotch to continue to lead with services which are second to none amongst alumni groups, not only in Australia, but around the world. The initial funding is for two years, after which its impact will be assessed and ongoing funding established.

To assist in implementing OSCA-net, the Association will be advertising for two new staff members; an Alumni Network Manager and an Alumni Content Co-ordinator. Details will be on the website.

John Craven
OSCA Council