Resources
Is on-line communication fully integrated into your organization’s daily work practices? How do you communicate with the public, your membership, and the media? Written by ONE/Northwest, a not-for-profit consulting firm for environmental groups, “Seven Characteristics of an On-line Organization” offers a blueprint for any non-profit that is trying to improve the way they use technology. Analyze your current technology situation and decide what it will take to go to the next level.
http://www.onenw.org/toolkit/7-characteristics
The Voluntary Sector Initiative is a project funded by Industry Canada. Its goal is to strengthen the sector’s capacity to serve Canadians and their community. Once you’ve assessed your organization’s technology needs, you’ll need to apply for funding. The Technology Grantmaking Toolkit offers a template that will help you craft a detailed proposal.
http://www.vsi-isbc.ca/eng/imit/grantmaking_toolkit/doc13.cfm
Next time you have a technology related question, consider visiting Techsoup. Whether you are an experienced or a novice technology user, Techsoup is a good resource offering discussion forums on hardware, emerging technologies, open-source software, and viruses to mention a few. The forums are very active and receive replies by IT professionals.
http://www.techsoup.org/community/index.cfm?
cg=header&sg=community
Canadian organizations can also benefit from Techsoup’s software donation program, which includes leading technology providers such as Microsoft and Adobe. http://www.techsoup.org/stock/canada/default.asp
The non-profit FAQ at Idealist offers a vast array of answers and resources to many IT related questions, such as “Can we seek in-kind donations online?,” “FAQs about 'Virtual' Volunteering,” and “Advice on choosing a way to handle an online (email) newsletter.”
http://www.idealist.org/if/idealist/en/FAQ/Non-profitLegacyKeywordIndex/default?keyword-index=2r
The Nonprofit FAQ at Idealist offers a vast array of answers and resources to many IT related questions. FAQs are organized into categories and subcategories. Also, look for answers by using the search function. Entering “newsletters”, and then selecting “Non-profit FAQ” returned relevant results, such as “Advice on choosing a way to handle an online (email) newsletter.” For technology related questions, be sure to check the publication date. http://www.idealist.org/if/idealist/en/FAQ/NonprofitHome/
default?sid=64001313-269-Zzbhi
If you have no website, or a website that needs remedial help, Guidestar’s article, “Avoiding a Tangled Web: How to Work with a Web Site Contractor,” will walk you through the process of publishing an effective non-profit website. Non-profit managers can learn how to coordinate the efforts of a professional Web Developer and maintain a good relationship. Guidestar is a leader in providing comprehensive data on non-profit organizations. http://www.guidestar.org/news/features/tangled_web.jsp
Even if you decide to build your own website, the Guidestar article above will be useful to help you design and develop your website. When considering what software to purchase, review this recent article by TechSoup, “Four Web Authoring Programs Compared.” It looks at GoLive, Dreamweaver, Nvu, and FrontPage. A “How do I decide” section discusses features that you need to consider in your decision making. http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/software/page4746.cfm
Blogs have gained popularity in the past few years and many activists suggest that non-profits incorporate a blog in their technology plan. But is your organization afraid of blogging? Do all organizations need to have a blog? Follow this dicussion on NetSquared, a blog created by TechSoup: http://www.netsquared.org/blog/britt-bravo/my-project-sprint-is-feel-the-fear-and-blog-it-anyway-whats-yours. Don’t miss the link to find out about 10 ways non-profits can use blogs.
Michael C. Gilbert of Nonprofit Online News suggests you integrate and relate your blogging to your organization and the people you want to communicate with. He also offers suggestions on where to derive blog entries. http://news.gilbert.org/features/featureReader$5800
The Partnership Platform helps non-profits attain their technology needs by forming strategic cross-sector partnerships with IT companies, volunteers, public institutions or other non-profits. Discuss your needs with a live person, or after signing up for an on-line account, publish your technology needs on their website. You can also review project profiles of past partnerships.
http://www.volunteersonline.ca/modules.php?
name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=1
Visit the GoVolunteer Resource Library by clicking here: http://govolunteer.ca/library/Main.do;jsessionid=aJi0Wv2cxDAa
