Vision 

Ensure every Detroiter is fully digitally included, improving the quality of life for all residents.  

Mission  

To put in place the means for all Detroiters to have access to appropriate devices, internet connections, technical support and digital resources for improved learning, employment and wellbeing. 

Value Statements 

We strive to be a model of diversity and inclusion, with our Board, Council, and committee members reflecting the many faces, cultures, and walks of life that make up the community we serve.    

We strive to maintain the confidential nature of deliberations, openly sharing views, and respecting the diverse opinions of others. 

  We are committed to creating an inclusive environment that promotes innovation and creativity.  

We value, champion, and embrace inclusion and respect others without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or expression, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, weight, height, marital status, disability, or any other status, whether protected by law or not. 

We respect, value, and celebrate the unique attributes, characteristics, and perspectives that make each person who they are. 

We believe that bringing diverse individuals together allows us to collectively and more effectively address all issues, including the digital divide and the social and economic implications that face our communities. Our ability to embrace this diversity and to make it an integral part of the organization will allow us to serve our communities more effectively.  

Connect 313 consists of  the following groups 

The Community Council: 

operates as the voice of the community, making sure that the work of Connect 313 supports the needs of the community and is made up of people who live, work or learn in Detroit. 

The Board: 

consists of representatives of local government, businesses, non-profits etc. , and creates the budget for Connect 313  offer guidance on connecting 313 projects or programs that are more than $50,000. 

The Joint Assembly: 

consists of members of the Community Council, the Board and the Management Team. They  review recommendations up to $50,000 and move them forward to the management team to be put into effect. 

The Management Team: 

consists of paid staff members, who assist with everyday operations and guide the implementation process by turning recommendations into statements of work or grant proposals. 

Committees are a part of the community council and make recommendations to the larger Community Council about proposals submitted by the community. All committees should work to make sure that recommended support is fair and reflects the needs of the community. 

Each member of a Committee will serve for one-year and may serve up to four consecutive terms, unless the Committee is sooner dissolved. 

There are 5 committees, with specific focuses that support the mission of Connect 313: 

Digital Literacy & Skilling Committee 

Committee Purpose: To ensure that all Detroiters can build digital skills, to support their employability, lifelong learning and well-being.  

Digital Literacy & Skilling Core Responsibilities: 

• Develop and submit recommendations geared towards improving digital literacy and technology skilling outcomes for Detroiters 
• Convene partners and identify new priorities and opportunities for impact 
• Form sub-committees to address priority areas and create/review/approve additional recommendations 
• Seek new sources of funding & identify new funding models for sustainable digital skill development 
• Identify research topics for broader impact 

Devices & Connectivity Committee 

Committee Purpose: To ensure all Detroiters have access to quality devices and high-speed internet. 

Devices & Connectivity Core Responsibilities: 

• Develop and submit recommendations geared towards improving citywide internet connectivity and resident device attainment. (Computers, tablets, smartphones, etc.) 
• Convene partners and identify new priorities and opportunities for impact 

• Form sub-committees to address priority areas and create/review/approve additional recommendations 
• Seek new sources of funding & identify new funding models for public Wi-Fi expansion, in-home internet access, computer sourcing and distribution 
• Identify research topics for broader impact 

Special Projects & Shared Resources Committee 

Committee Purpose: To develop the strategies by which the stakeholders are convened & organized, and by which capacity-building resources are coordinated & developed. 

Special Projects Core Responsibilities: 

• Develop and submit recommendations geared towards improving citywide coordination for community building and resident engagement 
• Convene partners and identify new priorities and opportunities for impact 
• Form sub-committees to address priority areas and create/review/approve additional recommendations 
• Seek new sources of funding & identify new community engagement models for shared ecosystem activation and collaboration 

• Identify research topics for broader impact 
• Current projects include: 

• Neighborhood Technology Hubs 
• Data Collection & Surveying 
• Media Activation/Storytelling 

• Community AmbassadorsOrganizers 

Policy, Advocacy & Ecosystem Committee 

Committee Purpose: To develop an ecosystem-based approach that builds on and enhances existing work; to devise strategies that allow Connect 313 to advocate and fundraise for specific, data-informed needs at the local, statewide, and national/federal level. 

Policy, Advocacy & Ecosystem Core Responsibilities: 

• Develop and submit recommendations geared towards crafting digital inclusion policy at the local/state/federal level; form advocacy campaigns on behalf of unconnected/under-connected Detroiters 

• Identify and drive opportunities for digital inclusion awareness 
• Event Planning (Digital Inclusion Week, etc.) 
• Attract opportunities for local/national/federal/statewide partnership and funding 
• Identify research topics for broader impact 

Structure & Operations Committee 

Committee Purpose: To develop the organizational structure of Connect 313 including the function and composition of each level of the decision-making process. 

Structure & Operations Core Responsibilities: 

• Develop governance structure & composition of Community Council and Council Committees and groups 
• Maintain the membership list of the Community Council and all Committees 
• Assess Diversity, equity and inclusion breakdown of Community Council and Committees 

• Develop Connect 313 Guiding Principles 
• Establish meeting cadence for the Community Council and all Committees 
• Facilitates Connect 313 elections 
• Run the nomination & voting process for Council leadership positions, ensure all positions are filled through a fair and democratic process 
  Ensure that all committee seats are filled 

Committee Chair Positions 

All Committee Chairs are elected by a majority vote of the Community Council. 

• Digital Literacy 1 elected Chair and 1 elected Vice Chair 

• Devices & Connectivity 1 elected Chair and 1 elected Vice Chair 

• Advocacy & Ecosystem 1 elected chair and 1 elected Vice Chair 

• Structure & Governance  1 elected Chair and 1 elected Vice Chair 

• Shared Resources 1 elected chair and 1 elected Vice Chair 

COMMITTEE CHAIR RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Make sure committee recommendations  align with the Connect 313 mission statement and  committee goals. 

• Attending all committee meetings 

• Keep notes for all committee meetings 

• Provide reports of the committee’s work to the Joint Assembly with the help of the Connect 313 management team.

• Be available for a minimum of 8 hours a month to support Connect 313 Committee work

•  Put forth recommendations:

• Convene regularly, attend all committee meetings, and identify priorities.

• Generate suggestions and submit them to the suggestion portal.

• Form sub-committees to address priority areas and create recommendations from suggestions. 

• Ensure committee recommendations align with Connect 313 mission, vision, values, and annual goals. 

• Lift up recommendations to the Community Advisory Council for vetting. 

• Incorporate any feedback from the Council before the submitting for approval from the appropriate decision-making body, either the Joint Assembly or Board of Directors 

• Continue to monitor funded recommendations & report out during Council meetings. 

•  Engage with key stakeholders to solicit and refine suggestions. 

• Seek new sources of funding.

• Develop opportunities for new partnerships. 

• Identify topics for broader research. 

• Nomination FAQ Do

•