Alternative Alaska
Information Center
Coming somewhat soon!
(We are in the process building--with new curves!--the office and meeting space next to the reception area at Qupqugiaq Inn)
Interested in helping develop and work on this project? Contact us at 563-5354, or send an electronic message.
We want to create a center where we greet newcomers to Alaska and help them to have a deeper experience while they are here. We want to introduce them to special activities, organizations, places and people. The following are ideas about what we can do, and what we need help with:
General Organizing
General statement of welcome, which discusses our goals and the services we offer. Small welcome package or gift, including something homemade (unique to Alaska?), and an overview of the welcome resources in our center. Video Center. Videos about remote places, important activities, or those which are simply particularly insightful. Remote Alaska network. A newsletter to connect people living in remote areas, and who want to be able to share there experiences, either in written form, or by inviting others to participate in what they are doing. Journal for Alaskan stories and experiences. Are there other Alaskan organizations which want to work with us to welcome people to Alaska and to provide resources for them? Can we form a special relationship with the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau? Information about and first steps towards creating the Alternative to Hostelling remote Alaska system, with free simple room & board given in exchange for community and educational work. Can we start work on this too?
Information collecting, organizing and distributing
Computer Kiosk
Information about Alaskan (and Siberian) communities, including maps, special trips or opportunities, organizations, hikes, jobs, indigenous situations, volunteer opportunities Interviews. Links with other groups involved with Alaska. Can the kiosks be placed in public spaces, such as the airport, library, the ACVB? Can it be put on a CD-ROM and sold to the public? Web page. This is one way to let others know about what we are doing and what we have available here. How much of the information in the Kiosk will be on the web pages? There will also be pages about the School, Inn and Cafe. Information on display, on bookshelves and tables.
Jobs, transportation, volunteer opportunities, maps, housing (housing board upstairs or downstairs?), mentorship (linking people with similar interests-?), local entertainment and special activities, places to go, things to see (???) Library, books. Should we have a book exchange of Alaskan books (novels, arctic stories, guide books)?
Thursday night events and groups which meet downstairs.
Thursday night events.Introduction to groups meeting downstairs, including mission statements and maybe some kind of special welcome from each group. This is a way for people to get involved with organizations that they are familiar with and those that are Alaska specific or unusual.Hikes scheduled once a month in the winter, once a week in the summer. Slide shows once a month. Readings about Alaskan themes--Exploration, travel, personal experiences or thoughts.
Relationship with Inn and Cafe.
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Welcome packages, offering a room or meals or special invitations to other activities which we sponsor or support.*
Creating and developing the hostel. Can we establish relations with international hostels or other hostels? What special services can we offer to hostelers?