The document discusses how non-profits can use technology and social media to improve volunteer management, outreach, and organizational profile. It provides examples of using tools like Facebook, Twitter, blogs, podcasts, and video sharing to engage volunteers and the public. While technology provides benefits, organizations must have the resources and policies to safely integrate it and ensure it enhances rather than distracts from their work.

1. Get Creative, Get Tech-Savvy

2. Introductions To what level is technology already integrated into your volunteer management practices? To what level is technology already integrated into your volunteer management practices? To what level is technology already integrated into your volunteer management practices?

3. What value does technology have to your work?

4. Why use technology? Improves efficiency & productivity Outreach to “hard to reach” populations (youth, volunteers in rural areas) Cheap! Viral - gets information out & gets it out quick!

5. Why use technology? Breaks down barriers between organizations (networking tool) Keeps members & clients informed Contributes to an innovative, fast-paced, energized organizational culture Improves internal communication and knowledge-sharing

6. What do you want to see discussed? Raising organizational profile via technology “ Web 2.0” Facebook, Twitter, Google groups, applications, message boards, blogs, podcasts Volunteer recruitment opportunities Volunteer management strategies

7. Web 2.0 The “second generation” of web development on the Internet Web 2.0 emphasizes viewer/reader participation , collaboration , and exchange Blogs with comment features, wikis, and message boards are examples of Web 2.0

8. Social Media Social media promotes user-created content and accessibility “democratization of the media” transmission of information that is unregulated, but inclusive examples: blogs, Wikipedia social networking

9. Blogging 101 blog is abbreviated for “web log”; intended to be like a journal entry or editorial blogging has now involved into vlogging (video blogging) an excellent resource for non-profits to offer news updates free blog-hosting sites include www.blogger.com and www.wordpress.com

11. Facebook 101 free-access social networking site users create profiles, join groups and fan pages, and align themselves with school, corporate, geographic networks users send messages and comments to “friends”, can upload images, and add applications to their account applications/apps: user-designed specialized programs (games, quizzes, etc)

12. Facebook & Nonprofits Non-profits are having prolific Facebook presence through groups , fan pages , and events listings Facebook demographics: 54% of users between 18 - 24, but the 35 - 54 category grew 276% in the last 6 months! Some computer-savvy organizations have their own applications

14. Twitter 101 Often called “micro blogging” You have 140 characters to express your message; like a “mini update” On Twitter you “follow” people and have “followers”, these updates from others appear on your main page Everyone’s joined the Twitter bandwagon - celebrities, non-profits & even funders

16. Raising Organizational Profile Twitter, Facebook & blogs may not be direct strategies for volunteer recruitment, but they build profile Information about your work (available in easily “digestible” formats) keeps members & the public engaged the value of Google hits

17. Building Profile Further Mailing lists /e-newsletters news feeds on your website event/program calendars Youtube videos of events/projects Photo-sharing (Flickr, Facebook, Photobucket)

19. podcasting 70 million people in the world own an iPod podcasting: “amateur radio” (far less labour intensive & resource-dependent) give weekly/monthly updates on your organization’s work, offer testimonials/interviews from clients or volunteers you can also podcast orientation sessions, presentations/workshops you deliver free audio recording here: http://audacity.sourceforge.net

20. podcasting you’ll need a microphone connected to your computer (noise-canceling headsets are great) and some software (often free to download) many resources/videos on how to create a podcast it does require knowledge about RSS feeds and uploading .mp3 (sound) files Examples of podcasts

21. Volunteer Recruitment: How does your organization currently recruit volunteers? What is effective/ineffective about it? What is effective/ineffective about it? What is effective/ineffective about it?

22. Volunteer Recruitment with Technology Tools Use your Twitter following to send out “blasts” about volunteer opportunities (same with blogs, Facebook fan pages) Tap into list-servs or mailing lists related to your work Audio (podcasts) or video (Youtube) testimonials from current volunteers information sessions or orientations via webinar ( www.vyew.com ) Accessibility: online volunteer applications, online volunteer manuals, orientation guides Submit volunteer requests to online volunteer databases (govolunteer.ca, volweb.ca)

23. text updates Do Something is a youth-serving organization based in NY that connects youth with volunteer opportunities Their idea: go to where the youth are! Website viewers can sign up for text message updates on their cell phones about volunteer opportunities Do Something is a national organization that uses zip codes to identify local opportunities www.clubtexting.com is a service that helps NPOs do this (requires a fee)

24. Virtual Volunteering: A Possible Consideration “ Virtual volunteering” is a practice of creating volunteer positions that can be fulfilled online (data entry, graphic design, updating websites) You may never meet this volunteer, but regular volunteer screening practices can apply Especially useful for organizations with national/international scopes, organizations based in rural settings, etc.

25. Volunteer Management Strategies Google groups: central hub for discussion boards, enables administrators to send messages to the larger group/smaller committees (like an internal list-serv) Free to use and available from google.com with an gmail address (requires all members to have gmail address)

27. message boards

28. surveying volunteers

29. what about innovative ways to host meetings, orientations, or check-ins with volunteers?

30. Skype

31. benefits of Skype free telephone calls to anyone, anywhere in the world (no phone bills!) conference calling made free & easy during Skype calls, you can instant message members of the call, send documents for the group to review, stream video of call participants (if they have webcam access) very user friendly resource, available for download at skype.com

32. coordinating in-person meetings

33. Important Technology Considerations

34. Do we realistically have the staff time, expertise and resources to maintain our online presence?

35. Do we understand the risks involved with integrating technology?

36. Have we evaluated appropriate venues for online presence? (consider your volunteer demographics) Have we consulted with our target group to see what would be most appropriate?

37. Has our organization adopted policies to ensure safety, accountability, and effective monitoring?

38. Additional Considerations Using technology tools does require the input of time, energy, and expertise In the age of Web 2.0, be prepared to mitigate/moderate inappropriate comments or criticisms There are varying levels of technology integration: do what is manageable and appropriate for your organization

39. Break-Out Discussion Groups Does anyone have particular topics or challenges they’d like to discuss related to technology & volunteer management? Some suggestions: building capacity, staff training, specific outreach to youth/seniors/other groups, integrating technology in traditional/adverse organizations

40. Final Comments Using technology is more than efficiency or outreach; it’s about creating a climate that is inclusive, open, and accessible Using technology promotes creativity, innovation, and original thinking within an organization Technology promotes ongoing dialogue about the cause your organization is working towards It’s a tool to connect people and ideas It’s not an asset to your organization unless it makes processes easier and more efficient !

41. Resources www.techsoup.org - technology for NPOs www.takingitglobal.org - an excellent model of IT integration! “Nonprofit Internet Strategies: Best Practices for Marketing” (Ted Hart) www.charityvillage.com (Technology QuickGuide)