Benefits of virtual volunteering
- Geared towards the volunteer’s level of involvement
- Does not constrain volunteers
- Keeps volunteers engaged with your organization
- Fresh blood!
This document provides tips for avoiding communication overload. It recommends setting goals and priorities to focus on the most important tasks. Routines are important for efficiency. It is important to say no to unnecessary communications and use technology strategically, such as setting email rules and auto-responses. Social media use should be scheduled and monitored through dashboards. RSS feeds and chats/IMs should also be customized and limited based on priorities. The key is knowing what is distracting and using communication tools wisely while also disconnecting when needed.
Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 is a comprehensive set of tools that – when well supported and deployed – can help nonprofits and libraries improve their collaborative efforts by making it easier to capture and share institutional knowledge both internally and externally. Microsoft donates SharePoint 2007 to eligible organizations through TechSoup, but you may need help determining if this tool is the right fit for your organization.
The following webinar was recorded and is available to view by clicking on the player below. In addition, you can download the presentation and audio podcast to your computer with the links under Download Files. All TechSoup Talks! webinars have been transcribed and have closed captions. Visit our complete list of archived TechSoup Talks! webinars.
Google Drive is a cloud-based file storage and synchronization service that allows users to store files, synchronize files across devices, and share files. It is useful for backing up important files and collaborating on documents simultaneously with other users. Google Drive differentiates itself from other cloud storage tools through its ability to create and edit documents online through Google Docs.
Low and No Cost Tools for managing every day processes in organisations. From ffice processes to remote working, online presence and Social Media. How to do more with less.
The document provides details about an online charity management system project. It acknowledges the guidance received from professors. It includes an abstract that describes the system as facilitating online donations, gift selection, tax implications, and gift delivery. It discusses the system having three modules. It also includes a SWOT analysis, feasibility analysis covering technical, economic, operational, legal and schedule aspects, and overview of the software development life cycle and agile model being suitable. It shows data flow diagrams and class diagram for the system.
While Office365 continues to grow at a rapid rate, adoption beyond Exchange can be slow without a strategy in place. This presentation discusses: a "go to market" strategy for a successful Office 365 deployment; productivity features that will enhance adoption; strategies for keeping end users engaged; how to track usage and activity so you can measure your success; and touches on many of the productivity features (Groups, Delve, Yammer, co-editing, etc). The primary focus, however, is on the management/ongoing educational aspects of a successful deployment.
You can find a video recording of this session via #Collab365 at https://youtu.be/uYpPx5R3lPY
Building a community - BuildStuff Lithuania 2014Gill Cleeren
You want to be a user group lead? Thinking of starting your own user group? Awesome! But there are a number of things to think about before starting. Is your whole idea viable? Where do I get speakers and attendees? Should I create a legal entity? How do I finance the whole thing?
In this session, Gill Cleeren will tell you how he has had a successful user group in Belgium for almost 10 years now.
This document provides tips for avoiding communication overload. It recommends setting goals and priorities to focus on the most important tasks. Routines are important for efficiency. It is important to say no to unnecessary communications and use technology strategically, such as setting email rules and auto-responses. Social media use should be scheduled and monitored through dashboards. RSS feeds and chats/IMs should also be customized and limited based on priorities. The key is knowing what is distracting and using communication tools wisely while also disconnecting when needed.
Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 is a comprehensive set of tools that – when well supported and deployed – can help nonprofits and libraries improve their collaborative efforts by making it easier to capture and share institutional knowledge both internally and externally. Microsoft donates SharePoint 2007 to eligible organizations through TechSoup, but you may need help determining if this tool is the right fit for your organization.
The following webinar was recorded and is available to view by clicking on the player below. In addition, you can download the presentation and audio podcast to your computer with the links under Download Files. All TechSoup Talks! webinars have been transcribed and have closed captions. Visit our complete list of archived TechSoup Talks! webinars.
Google Drive is a cloud-based file storage and synchronization service that allows users to store files, synchronize files across devices, and share files. It is useful for backing up important files and collaborating on documents simultaneously with other users. Google Drive differentiates itself from other cloud storage tools through its ability to create and edit documents online through Google Docs.
Low and No Cost Tools for managing every day processes in organisations. From ffice processes to remote working, online presence and Social Media. How to do more with less.
The document provides details about an online charity management system project. It acknowledges the guidance received from professors. It includes an abstract that describes the system as facilitating online donations, gift selection, tax implications, and gift delivery. It discusses the system having three modules. It also includes a SWOT analysis, feasibility analysis covering technical, economic, operational, legal and schedule aspects, and overview of the software development life cycle and agile model being suitable. It shows data flow diagrams and class diagram for the system.
While Office365 continues to grow at a rapid rate, adoption beyond Exchange can be slow without a strategy in place. This presentation discusses: a "go to market" strategy for a successful Office 365 deployment; productivity features that will enhance adoption; strategies for keeping end users engaged; how to track usage and activity so you can measure your success; and touches on many of the productivity features (Groups, Delve, Yammer, co-editing, etc). The primary focus, however, is on the management/ongoing educational aspects of a successful deployment.
You can find a video recording of this session via #Collab365 at https://youtu.be/uYpPx5R3lPY
Building a community - BuildStuff Lithuania 2014Gill Cleeren
You want to be a user group lead? Thinking of starting your own user group? Awesome! But there are a number of things to think about before starting. Is your whole idea viable? Where do I get speakers and attendees? Should I create a legal entity? How do I finance the whole thing?
In this session, Gill Cleeren will tell you how he has had a successful user group in Belgium for almost 10 years now.
User Experience Service showcase lightning talks - December 2018Neil Allison
The summary provides an overview of the UX Services Showcase event which included lightning talks on various UX projects at the University of Edinburgh. Attendees were welcomed and provided an agenda for the event including updates on the UX Service, the MyEd and Learn Foundations digital services projects, a document management research project, a project looking at BI/MI tools, an online masters websites project, and a discussion of website strategy and governance. Presenters provided more details on research conducted and outcomes of each project with the goal of enhancing digital services and experiences for students and staff.
AMA workshop - Optimising Websites for MobileJack Harris
This document provides information about developing a mobile-friendly website for Shakespeare's Globe theater. It discusses conducting strategic reviews and setting objectives, briefing an agency on the project, managing the project, preparing content, designing the site structure and user experience, and launching the new website. The document offers tips on each stage of the process and examples from Shakespeare's Globe's own mobile site development.
Highlighting the benefits of using essential low cost or no cost technology tools for new Third Sector organisations, to enable them to manage and promote their organisations with minimal cost and effort.
SharePoint Saturday Helsinki 2019 - Collaboration Governance and Adoption Bes...Jasper Oosterveld
Our world has changed rapidly due to the easy access of technology in our personal lives. For each aspect of our lives, an app or service is available. This new world, ruled by technology, had a huge impact on organizations worldwide. This is where Microsoft steps in by providing the Modern Workplace with Microsoft 365. A Workplace that makes our work lives easier, fun and efficient. Adoption and Governance are at the foundation of a successful roll-out and high quality Modern Workplace. Jasper Oosterveld, Microsoft MVP & Modern Workplace Consultant, is going to take share his best practices around adoption and governance. This session has a focus around collaboration!
Y'ems Group's Social Networking for Organizations Ver 1.0Y'ems GroupCo
The document outlines a training course on using social networking for organizations. The course objectives are for participants to understand what social networking is and how to use it to promote their organizations. The modules cover an introduction to social networking, its features, how to use it, developing a social media strategy, and next steps. The document provides guidance on developing social media objectives and identifying target audiences, integrating social media with other strategies, addressing cultural challenges, allocating resources, selecting appropriate tactics, and measuring results.
The document discusses how the NCTSN uses collaboration technology like workspaces, web conferencing, and instant messaging to connect trauma experts virtually. It defines these technologies and outlines their history and features within the NCTSN. Challenges to virtual collaboration like getting users engaged with new tools and connecting distributed teams are presented, along with strategies to address them. The presentation envisions future enhancements to further streamline collaboration, including improved profiles, directories, and mobile access to networking tools.
A discussion about various techniques and mechanisms for generating revenue in and around open source projects.
This presentation uses the Cake Software Foundation (http://cakefoundation.org) who own the rights to the CakePHP framework (http://cakephp.org) as an example, and how a separate company (Cake Development Corporation http://cakedc.com) works with the Cake Software Foundation, but as a separate entity to generate money, and pay employees to with with and on open source software.
Volunteers and non profit communications strategyTemi Adewumi
This document discusses strategies for incorporating volunteers into an organization's communications strategy. It begins by outlining some common challenges like staff-volunteer conflicts and lack of understanding of roles. It then describes different models of volunteer involvement, from volunteer-led to volunteer-driven to ideal collaboration between volunteers and staff. Key points discussed include dividing responsibilities appropriately between volunteers as subject matter experts and staff as publishers, developing consistent messaging through training and policy, and using technology tools to support collaboration. The presentation aims to provide non-profits with best practices for clear and effective communications that leverage volunteer expertise.
InnerSourcing - Worldwide enterprise development teams collaborationJulian Werba
Why companies fail
Build a worldwide development community within the company
Boost collaboration and creativity
Increase Quality, Speed and Savings
Do you wanna know how?
The document provides information about gathering feedback from service users in a hybrid environment. It discusses using surveys, forums, communication channels, and analytics to gather both quantitative and qualitative feedback. It also covers conducting interviews and focus groups both in-person and online. Key considerations for different feedback methods include accessibility, logistics, purpose, and strengths/limitations. Bringing the various feedback streams together and checking in with staff are also discussed.
This document discusses tools and best practices for managing volunteers. It recommends recruiting volunteers early, clearly defining their roles and time commitments, and matching volunteers to specific tasks. It also suggests communicating regularly, using platforms like wikis, managed sites, or social media to engage volunteers, and providing value through networking and a sense of contribution. While many apps exist, the most important thing is motivating people to take action and work together effectively towards a shared goal.
Developing and delivering a digital skills service - Suzanne Tatham (Universi...CONUL Conference
A university is developing a centralized digital skills service to address student feedback requesting consolidated support. The service will focus on developing digital capabilities like information literacy, creation skills, and wellbeing. Improvement actions include expanding training, improving assistive technology support, and piloting a digital skills presence in the library. A framework identifies priority capabilities and ratings are assigned to actions. Feedback from initial training sessions and events was positive, with students saying they would apply skills learned. Future plans include more staff and student involvement to continue progressing improvement actions.
Learning Web Development with Ruby on Rails LaunchThiam Hock Ng
The slide deck for the first session of Singapore Rails Group (https://medium.com/singapore-rails-learning-group/about-singapore-rails-learning-group-65fffb3a43dd)
A content strategy helps associations transform everything they do into relevant, meaningful, and useful tools and resources for their members. Content strategy is a disciplined way to bring out the value of the association's work, leading to more member participation, higher renewal rate, and greater understanding of the association's value to members. Presentation at the 2014 ESSAE Annual Meeting for NY State association executives
The document summarizes key topics from the 2013 STC Summit conference, including professional development, social media, single-sourcing, content strategy, and business metrics. Over 800 people attended the conference, which featured 137 sessions across various communication modes. Popular sessions focused on cultivating online presence, leveraging social media for feedback, conditional text in Flare, and building business cases through metrics that demonstrate revenue impact. The document provides resources for further exploring each topic.
This document discusses best practices for managing social media efforts for nonprofits. It addresses challenges such as working with volunteers, coordinating across teams, creating engaging content, and managing too many tools. Key recommendations include establishing clear strategies and policies; using tools like Evernote, Buffer, and Google Analytics to facilitate collaboration and tracking; and focusing on quality over quantity of content by engaging communities and letting them help create content. The document emphasizes establishing good processes and habits to make social media efforts impactful rather than difficult.
Remote moderated testing was once out of reach for many organizations -- but not anymore!
Steve Schang of Midwood Usability shares his expert review of and advice for getting the most of remote testing tools.
Contact Steve and his team at MidwoodUsability.com.
Presented at Firecat Studio's monthly UX and Marketing Strategy gathering, Firecat First Friday, in November 2020.
The document discusses various collaboration tools that can be used for different purposes such as project management, document sharing, task tracking, and video conferencing. It provides an overview of tools like Basecamp, Asana, ToodleDo, Google Docs, SharePoint 365, Dropbox, WebEx, GoToMeeting, BigMarker, and Adobe Connect. It also shares stories about using some of the tools and discusses challenges related to collaboration with both internal and external partners. The document aims to help determine which collaboration tools would be best suited for different use cases and audiences.
UN WOD 2024 will take us on a journey of discovery through the ocean's vastness, tapping into the wisdom and expertise of global policy-makers, scientists, managers, thought leaders, and artists to awaken new depths of understanding, compassion, collaboration and commitment for the ocean and all it sustains. The program will expand our perspectives and appreciation for our blue planet, build new foundations for our relationship to the ocean, and ignite a wave of action toward necessary change.
User Experience Service showcase lightning talks - December 2018Neil Allison
The summary provides an overview of the UX Services Showcase event which included lightning talks on various UX projects at the University of Edinburgh. Attendees were welcomed and provided an agenda for the event including updates on the UX Service, the MyEd and Learn Foundations digital services projects, a document management research project, a project looking at BI/MI tools, an online masters websites project, and a discussion of website strategy and governance. Presenters provided more details on research conducted and outcomes of each project with the goal of enhancing digital services and experiences for students and staff.
AMA workshop - Optimising Websites for MobileJack Harris
This document provides information about developing a mobile-friendly website for Shakespeare's Globe theater. It discusses conducting strategic reviews and setting objectives, briefing an agency on the project, managing the project, preparing content, designing the site structure and user experience, and launching the new website. The document offers tips on each stage of the process and examples from Shakespeare's Globe's own mobile site development.
Highlighting the benefits of using essential low cost or no cost technology tools for new Third Sector organisations, to enable them to manage and promote their organisations with minimal cost and effort.
SharePoint Saturday Helsinki 2019 - Collaboration Governance and Adoption Bes...Jasper Oosterveld
Our world has changed rapidly due to the easy access of technology in our personal lives. For each aspect of our lives, an app or service is available. This new world, ruled by technology, had a huge impact on organizations worldwide. This is where Microsoft steps in by providing the Modern Workplace with Microsoft 365. A Workplace that makes our work lives easier, fun and efficient. Adoption and Governance are at the foundation of a successful roll-out and high quality Modern Workplace. Jasper Oosterveld, Microsoft MVP & Modern Workplace Consultant, is going to take share his best practices around adoption and governance. This session has a focus around collaboration!
Y'ems Group's Social Networking for Organizations Ver 1.0Y'ems GroupCo
The document outlines a training course on using social networking for organizations. The course objectives are for participants to understand what social networking is and how to use it to promote their organizations. The modules cover an introduction to social networking, its features, how to use it, developing a social media strategy, and next steps. The document provides guidance on developing social media objectives and identifying target audiences, integrating social media with other strategies, addressing cultural challenges, allocating resources, selecting appropriate tactics, and measuring results.
The document discusses how the NCTSN uses collaboration technology like workspaces, web conferencing, and instant messaging to connect trauma experts virtually. It defines these technologies and outlines their history and features within the NCTSN. Challenges to virtual collaboration like getting users engaged with new tools and connecting distributed teams are presented, along with strategies to address them. The presentation envisions future enhancements to further streamline collaboration, including improved profiles, directories, and mobile access to networking tools.
A discussion about various techniques and mechanisms for generating revenue in and around open source projects.
This presentation uses the Cake Software Foundation (http://cakefoundation.org) who own the rights to the CakePHP framework (http://cakephp.org) as an example, and how a separate company (Cake Development Corporation http://cakedc.com) works with the Cake Software Foundation, but as a separate entity to generate money, and pay employees to with with and on open source software.
Volunteers and non profit communications strategyTemi Adewumi
This document discusses strategies for incorporating volunteers into an organization's communications strategy. It begins by outlining some common challenges like staff-volunteer conflicts and lack of understanding of roles. It then describes different models of volunteer involvement, from volunteer-led to volunteer-driven to ideal collaboration between volunteers and staff. Key points discussed include dividing responsibilities appropriately between volunteers as subject matter experts and staff as publishers, developing consistent messaging through training and policy, and using technology tools to support collaboration. The presentation aims to provide non-profits with best practices for clear and effective communications that leverage volunteer expertise.
InnerSourcing - Worldwide enterprise development teams collaborationJulian Werba
Why companies fail
Build a worldwide development community within the company
Boost collaboration and creativity
Increase Quality, Speed and Savings
Do you wanna know how?
The document provides information about gathering feedback from service users in a hybrid environment. It discusses using surveys, forums, communication channels, and analytics to gather both quantitative and qualitative feedback. It also covers conducting interviews and focus groups both in-person and online. Key considerations for different feedback methods include accessibility, logistics, purpose, and strengths/limitations. Bringing the various feedback streams together and checking in with staff are also discussed.
This document discusses tools and best practices for managing volunteers. It recommends recruiting volunteers early, clearly defining their roles and time commitments, and matching volunteers to specific tasks. It also suggests communicating regularly, using platforms like wikis, managed sites, or social media to engage volunteers, and providing value through networking and a sense of contribution. While many apps exist, the most important thing is motivating people to take action and work together effectively towards a shared goal.
Developing and delivering a digital skills service - Suzanne Tatham (Universi...CONUL Conference
A university is developing a centralized digital skills service to address student feedback requesting consolidated support. The service will focus on developing digital capabilities like information literacy, creation skills, and wellbeing. Improvement actions include expanding training, improving assistive technology support, and piloting a digital skills presence in the library. A framework identifies priority capabilities and ratings are assigned to actions. Feedback from initial training sessions and events was positive, with students saying they would apply skills learned. Future plans include more staff and student involvement to continue progressing improvement actions.
Learning Web Development with Ruby on Rails LaunchThiam Hock Ng
The slide deck for the first session of Singapore Rails Group (https://medium.com/singapore-rails-learning-group/about-singapore-rails-learning-group-65fffb3a43dd)
A content strategy helps associations transform everything they do into relevant, meaningful, and useful tools and resources for their members. Content strategy is a disciplined way to bring out the value of the association's work, leading to more member participation, higher renewal rate, and greater understanding of the association's value to members. Presentation at the 2014 ESSAE Annual Meeting for NY State association executives
The document summarizes key topics from the 2013 STC Summit conference, including professional development, social media, single-sourcing, content strategy, and business metrics. Over 800 people attended the conference, which featured 137 sessions across various communication modes. Popular sessions focused on cultivating online presence, leveraging social media for feedback, conditional text in Flare, and building business cases through metrics that demonstrate revenue impact. The document provides resources for further exploring each topic.
This document discusses best practices for managing social media efforts for nonprofits. It addresses challenges such as working with volunteers, coordinating across teams, creating engaging content, and managing too many tools. Key recommendations include establishing clear strategies and policies; using tools like Evernote, Buffer, and Google Analytics to facilitate collaboration and tracking; and focusing on quality over quantity of content by engaging communities and letting them help create content. The document emphasizes establishing good processes and habits to make social media efforts impactful rather than difficult.
Remote moderated testing was once out of reach for many organizations -- but not anymore!
Steve Schang of Midwood Usability shares his expert review of and advice for getting the most of remote testing tools.
Contact Steve and his team at MidwoodUsability.com.
Presented at Firecat Studio's monthly UX and Marketing Strategy gathering, Firecat First Friday, in November 2020.
The document discusses various collaboration tools that can be used for different purposes such as project management, document sharing, task tracking, and video conferencing. It provides an overview of tools like Basecamp, Asana, ToodleDo, Google Docs, SharePoint 365, Dropbox, WebEx, GoToMeeting, BigMarker, and Adobe Connect. It also shares stories about using some of the tools and discusses challenges related to collaboration with both internal and external partners. The document aims to help determine which collaboration tools would be best suited for different use cases and audiences.
Similar to How to work with virtual volunteers (20)
UN WOD 2024 will take us on a journey of discovery through the ocean's vastness, tapping into the wisdom and expertise of global policy-makers, scientists, managers, thought leaders, and artists to awaken new depths of understanding, compassion, collaboration and commitment for the ocean and all it sustains. The program will expand our perspectives and appreciation for our blue planet, build new foundations for our relationship to the ocean, and ignite a wave of action toward necessary change.
AHMR is an interdisciplinary peer-reviewed online journal created to encourage and facilitate the study of all aspects (socio-economic, political, legislative and developmental) of Human Mobility in Africa. Through the publication of original research, policy discussions and evidence research papers AHMR provides a comprehensive forum devoted exclusively to the analysis of contemporaneous trends, migration patterns and some of the most important migration-related issues.
This report explores the significance of border towns and spaces for strengthening responses to young people on the move. In particular it explores the linkages of young people to local service centres with the aim of further developing service, protection, and support strategies for migrant children in border areas across the region. The report is based on a small-scale fieldwork study in the border towns of Chipata and Katete in Zambia conducted in July 2023. Border towns and spaces provide a rich source of information about issues related to the informal or irregular movement of young people across borders, including smuggling and trafficking. They can help build a picture of the nature and scope of the type of movement young migrants undertake and also the forms of protection available to them. Border towns and spaces also provide a lens through which we can better understand the vulnerabilities of young people on the move and, critically, the strategies they use to navigate challenges and access support.
The findings in this report highlight some of the key factors shaping the experiences and vulnerabilities of young people on the move – particularly their proximity to border spaces and how this affects the risks that they face. The report describes strategies that young people on the move employ to remain below the radar of visibility to state and non-state actors due to fear of arrest, detention, and deportation while also trying to keep themselves safe and access support in border towns. These strategies of (in)visibility provide a way to protect themselves yet at the same time also heighten some of the risks young people face as their vulnerabilities are not always recognised by those who could offer support.
In this report we show that the realities and challenges of life and migration in this region and in Zambia need to be better understood for support to be strengthened and tuned to meet the specific needs of young people on the move. This includes understanding the role of state and non-state stakeholders, the impact of laws and policies and, critically, the experiences of the young people themselves. We provide recommendations for immediate action, recommendations for programming to support young people on the move in the two towns that would reduce risk for young people in this area, and recommendations for longer term policy advocacy.
Working with data is a challenge for many organizations. Nonprofits in particular may need to collect and analyze sensitive, incomplete, and/or biased historical data about people. In this talk, Dr. Cori Faklaris of UNC Charlotte provides an overview of current AI capabilities and weaknesses to consider when integrating current AI technologies into the data workflow. The talk is organized around three takeaways: (1) For better or sometimes worse, AI provides you with “infinite interns.” (2) Give people permission & guardrails to learn what works with these “interns” and what doesn’t. (3) Create a roadmap for adding in more AI to assist nonprofit work, along with strategies for bias mitigation.
Contributi dei parlamentari del PD - Contributi L. 3/2019Partito democratico
DI SEGUITO SONO PUBBLICATI, AI SENSI DELL'ART. 11 DELLA LEGGE N. 3/2019, GLI IMPORTI RICEVUTI DALL'ENTRATA IN VIGORE DELLA SUDDETTA NORMA (31/01/2019) E FINO AL MESE SOLARE ANTECEDENTE QUELLO DELLA PUBBLICAZIONE SUL PRESENTE SITO
About Potato, The scientific name of the plant is Solanum tuberosum (L).Christina Parmionova
The potato is a starchy root vegetable native to the Americas that is consumed as a staple food in many parts of the world. Potatoes are tubers of the plant Solanum tuberosum, a perennial in the nightshade family Solanaceae. Wild potato species can be found from the southern United States to southern Chile
Synopsis (short abstract) In December 2023, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 30 May as the International Day of Potato.
United Nations World Oceans Day 2024; June 8th " Awaken new dephts".Christina Parmionova
The program will expand our perspectives and appreciation for our blue planet, build new foundations for our relationship to the ocean, and ignite a wave of action toward necessary change.
3. Inquiring minds want to know…
How many of you:
• work actively with volunteers
• find volunteers just within your network
• already conduct some form of virtual
volunteering?
4. What I know about volunteers
1. Recognition
2. Respect
3. Impact
4. Help them do their best work
5. A little bit about TAGb Consulting
TAGb Consulting believes that technology:
• Empowers not for profits
• Improves not for profit operations in all
aspects
• Is just a tool
Not for profits are important and deserve to have
every advantage technology can give
7. What is remote or virtual volunteering?
• The term was first coined
by Steve Glikbarg,
founder of
Volunteermatch.com in
1995
• Other terms: “cyber-
volunteers,” “digital
volunteers,”
“e-volunteers.”
8. Benefits of virtual volunteering
• Can be conducted anywhere
• Can work within the volunteer’s
schedule
• Allows your organization to
expand its operations
• Access more specialized skill sets
9. Benefits of virtual volunteering (2)
• Geared towards the volunteer’s
level of involvement
• Does not constrain volunteers
• Keeps volunteers engaged with
your organization
• Fresh blood!
12. Before you begin with virtual volunteering
Don’t ignore the need to meet in person
Don’t implement change for change’s sake
Do a culture check: Is there a commitment to change?
Ensure you have buy-in from higher ups
Is there support for technology?
13. How to implement virtual volunteering
Projects
People
Technology
14. Example of how virtual volunteering
works
Project: planning an annual conference
• Participants
• Timeline
• Locations
• Tools used
• Know your role
15. 1. Implementing projects
Begin with a project charter
• Outcomes
• Organization’s goals
• Success metrics
• How to accomplish the project
• Key players
• Tools
16. 1. Sample project: virtual style
Sample project: website revamp
First: Establish the parameters of the project
Second: Appoint a project manager
Third: Break the project down into tasks
Fourth: Assign team members to each task
Fifth: Use the SMART technique
17. 1. Sample project: virtual style
Sample project: website revamp
First:
Establish the parameters
of the project
19. 1. Sample project: virtual style
Sample project: website revamp
Third:
Break the project down into tasks
20. 1. Sample project: virtual style
Sample project: website revamp
Fourth:
Assign team members
to each task
21. 1. Sample project: virtual style
Sample project: website revamp
Fifth: Use the SMART technique
• Specific goal
• Measurable results
• Achievable results
• Relevant results
• Time bound
22. 1. Sample project: virtual style
Sample project: website revamp
SMART goal
By June 30, 2018, our team would have
reviewed the website behavior of 10 members
to determine how they will access content on
our website.
23. 2. How to select people
• Work ethic
• Team player
• Expertise
• Openness to change
• Attitude
• Hard worker
24. 2. How to select people (2)
• Dedication to the cause promoted by the not for profit
• Willingness to learn
• Willingness to cooperate with team members
• Openness to change
• Self-motivated
• Willing to check in with the team on major decisions
25. 2. Tech essentials for volunteer selection
• Computer system
• Internet access
• Comfort level with technology
• Willingness to learn
• Ability to trouble shoot, self-train
• Basic knowledge of MS Office suite
26. 3. Technology you need
• Look for software that supports
not for profits
• Fits your budget
• Is easy to use
• Has access to support and
training
• Has a trial period
• Allows you to see a demo
27. 3. Software you may need
• Teleconferencing
• Collaboration software
• Meeting schedulers
• File sharing/transfer
• Online meeting software/
web conferencing
28. 3. Basic software you may need
Teleconferencing
Examples: Intercall, Conferencecalling.com
Meeting schedulers:
Examples: Doodle poll; Tungle.me
File sharing/transfer:
Examples: Dropbox, Box.com, We Transfer
29. 3. Advanced software you may need
Collaboration/workspace software
Examples: Google Docs, Huddle, Trello, Basecamp, Asana
A platform on which volunteers share files, have discussions and
work together on projects.
Combines email, file sharing, discussion forums, schedulers,
calendars - all in one place.
30. 3. Advanced software you may need
Online meeting software/web conferencing
Examples: Google Hangout, Facebook Live, Join.me, Adobe Connect,
GoTo Meeting, Webex
It’s what we’re doing right now!
Ability to hold real time meetings with several remote participants
Ability to have face-to-face interaction
33. Learn more about virtual volunteering
• Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada (VMPC.ca)
• VolunteerMatch.com
• Website: The Balance.com (search for virtual volunteering)
• Website: TechSoupCanada.ca (technology for non-profits)
• Book: The LAST Virtual Volunteering Guidebook by Jayne
Cravens
34. Other resources
Download resources mentioned in this webinar:
www.TAGb.ca/VMPC-webinar
Not for profits with solo communications
professionals, download this guide from
www.tagb.ca:
“5 Strategies that will Transform your
Communications Department.”
Editor's Notes
Hello and welcome to this afternoon, or this morning’s webinar – depending where you’re from!
Satisfy our curiosity: we’d like to see what sort types of non profits are represented today.
The reason I’m asking is that most not for profits already have some element of virtual work or volunteering.
For most organizations, the extent of virtual volunteering has been limited to conducting meetings.
The goal of this webinar is to help you see that virtual volunteering should help you go further.
At its highest level, virtual volunteering can be used for full scale projects, working with people across the country, or even, the world!
1. They want to be recognized for what they do, regardless of the reason for why they volunteered.
2. They want their time to be respected.
3. They want to know that they are making an impact.
4. They want to know that the not for profit is doing its part to help them give their best work… and this is where virtual volunteering comes in.
Before we start, here’s a little bit about me:
I started TAGb Consulting, because I believe that there is a great need for effective use of technology in not for profits.
TAGb Consulting believes that technology:
Empowers not for profits to communicate better with volunteers, donors, members, communities, and the public at large;
Improves not for profit operations in all fields: finances, governance, communications and even, volunteering itself.
That in spite of all its wonderful benefits – technology is just a tool. People come first!
Not for profits are important and deserve to have every advantage technology can give
A little bit about my experience with volunteers.
I’ve worked with volunteers for almost all of my professional life. I first started off at a charity focused on girls, whose operational stance was “volunteer-led, staff driven.” Its volunteers are completely dedicated to the cause of the organization and take a personal responsibility in funding, programming and operations. In that world, the volunteers are in complete charge of organization.
Contrast that with my next not for profit position, where volunteers provided general direction to staff and then, depended on staff expertise to run the organization. These volunteers, who were doctors, were very busy in their own professional lives and wanted the time they gave to the organization to be used efficiently.
So let’s get started.
What in itself is virtual or remote volunteering?
At its core: virtual volunteering is having volunteers participate by using online or web-based technology.
Its chief benefit is about not needing to be physically present to volunteer. BUT it can be just as intensive as face to face, physical volunteering. It still requires a great time commitment, and involvement with the not for profit itself.
Can be conducted anywhere as long as the volunteer is connected to the Internet
Flexible: depending on the project, can work within the volunteer’s schedule
Savings on operating costs: less paying for travel, accommodation, meals, which is great for a lot of non profits
Allows your organization to expand its operations beyond your geographical and financial borders
Allows for non-profits to access more specialized skill sets
Opens up positions for individuals who are not physically able to come into your office for reasons such as ability, cost or distance
Some other benefits are that
Virtual volunteering can be geared towards the volunteer’s level of involvement – volunteers can be involved as much or as little as they want.
Volunteers don’t have to be tied to just one organization – they can donate their skill set to different projects across several organizations.
Is considerate of volunteers, taking into account their busy lives and their need for convenience.
Access to newer ideas and perspectives and work with people of different backgrounds.
Provides fresh blood. Too often, organizations fall into the trap of just recommending people they know to volunteer. Nothing new ever comes in, because organizations are recycling the same people and ideas. To thrive, an organization needs to constantly welcome new demographics, perspectives, and skill sets. Your not for profit should represent the community it is working for. Virtual volunteering provides an opportunity to reach those people.
So, here’s another poll. Each of these logos represents a company that you may or may not recognize, depending on your age and location.
I’ll wait a few minutes for you to type in responses…
Read some of the responses.
Answer: companies that were taken surprise by digital transformation, and have been replaced by such companies as: Amazon, Netflix, Uber, Air bnb, Facebook.
What this points to is that flexibility, mobility, convenience and ease of use are the order of the day. Each of these replacements has been able to move with the times, and even, anticipate demand before consumers were aware of it.
Not for profits do not exist in a bubble. We live in the larger society, and trends that have affected these businesses affect all of us, we cause them, they react on us. As a society, we are demanding more of the institutions that surround us – our banks, shops, government and even our not for profits.
So, how this applies to us is that not for profits need to catch up with society’s move towards digital technology. Volunteers are a huge part of how not for profits work, and most not for profits cannot survive without them.
Combining technology with volunteering is one of the smartest and most efficient ways to expand a not for profit organization’s reach and its impact in society.
Before you rush to start virtual volunteering, or to buy, hire and recruit, the following needs to be in place in your not for profit:
1. Don’t ignore the need to meet in person
While virtual volunteering can extend a not for profits reach. However, an essential element of volunteering is meeting face to face, when possible. Virtual volunteering technology has not as yet been able mimic non-verbal communication, which is often key when assessing how well you work with other team members.
Ultimately, people’s motivations or reasons for volunteering differ. Some may volunteer for the love of being social, and going virtual removes that.
2. Don’t implement change for change’s sake
Going virtual should not be done just because it is trendy, but because of the advantages to your organization and the problems it can solve.
Your organization needs to ensure that virtual volunteering is being put in as a good measure, not in reaction to negative occurrences, e.g., budget cuts, less staff, no real direction in leadership. Virtual volunteering should be willingly adopted by volunteers, not forced on them.
3. Do a culture check: Is there a commitment to change?
What’s the culture of your organization? Is it willing to realize that virtual volunteering is a gradual process, and that there might be times when you might fail? Ask yourself if your leadership is willing to support you through the ups and downs or also ask if they waiting for you to fail so they can return to status quo. Other questions to ask are if your organization has a learning or punitive culture? If your organization like to take risks? Does it adapt well when things go wrong and learn from mistakes?
4. Do you have buy-in?
Start virtual volunteering gradually, as a way to get leadership, staff and volunteers accustomed to the new process. No one likes to be rushed into change. More success is obtained when people know and approve of the reasons for why virtual volunteering is being adopted.
5. Is there support for technology? Your organization needs to make an investment in providing access to software and hardware for the volunteers. There also needs to be a commitment to upgrading technology, providing training, and support, over the long-term. It might be wise, before fully committing to virtual volunteering to also assess your organization’s level of technology awareness. As part of our resources, I’ve included an example of an technology assessment from TechSoup Canada – which measures your organization’s level of technology readiness.
Virtual volunteering starts by placing each of these elements in order:
Projects | People | Technology
First: make a list of the projects for which you need help. Such projects could either be too time intensive, need subject matter expertise, or would benefit from technical skills which are not available within your network.
Once you know what the projects are, and what they require, you can then recruit volunteers.
Technology comes last – it’s a tool that helps to achieve a purpose. As I’ve said before, it is NOT an end in itself.
Remember, virtual volunteering is unique, in that the success of the project depends not only on the interaction between volunteers and other players, but also on how well the technology is used. In physical volunteering, the tools you use are not as important – e.g, pen, paper, desk. But in virtual volunteering, the tools you use can make or break your project. So, we’ll go through later, how to choose the right technology.
What I want to do here is to provide an example of how the People | Projects | Technology elements get put in place.
Every year I work with an association to provide marketing and communications for their annual conference. I’ve found that planning a conference is a multi-faceted, multi-task project and each year the association has run a successful conference virtually.
It’s a 6 month time commitment, and it involves different participants who do not all work within the association office – they come together from different parts of Ontario, and even, Europe. The team consists of volunteers, consultants, staff, and an external event management firm. In fact, for years, the project has been managed almost virtually, as most of the participants are rarely together in the same room.
The tasks are split up between different parties, and each person is aware of their role, and reports on it at each meeting. For instance, the volunteers provide leadership and overall direction. They also serve as subject matter experts on what the members would like to learn at the conference. Staff implement such tasks as awards, research, programming, while external consultants work on logistics, marketing, communications and educational direction. The event management firm provides onsite management.
In terms of how it works: virtual meetings occur once a month and twice a month closer to the start of the conference. Items in agenda are discussed by the person assigned to each task. The agenda is circulated ahead of the meeting, as well as notes from past meetings that outlines action items for each person. Meetings generally run to about 2 hours each.
After the meeting, communication continues, either via email or separate adhoc meetings.
Tools used: GoTo Meeting, teleconferencing, Excel spreadsheet for managing projects. If a special presentation needs to be made, everyone is advised to have GoTo Meeting ready on their computers.
So, successful implementation of virtual projects tarts by creating an overall plan of how projects will be implemented successfully, with multiple locations, people and technology.
And the way to do that is to use a project charter. This will outline:
The expected outcomes
How the project lines up with your organization’s goals
Success metrics
How to accomplish the project
Key players
Tools
We’ll be providing an example of a project charter in our resources.
What I am going to do now, is to provide an example of how to implement a project virtually.
I’m suggesting a website revamp – which is a project most not for profits often have to deal with. This project will involve tons of feedback, multiple skill sets, multiple tasks, and roles.
So the project gets broken down into the following stages.
First: Establish the parameters of the project
Second: Appoint a project manager
Third: Break the project down into tasks
Fourth: Assign team members to each task
Fifth: Use the SMART technique
The first stage
The team as a whole determines the parameters of the project. This needs to be done as a team to ensure buy-in, and working to a common goal. You don’t want dissent or dissatisfaction. This could lead to delays, or a derailed project. It’s even more crucial in virtual volunteering to be on the same page, as you cannot see each other, and could be working on different tasks separately.
For this example, the parameters of the project using the project charter, you would provide a general overview.
Outline the purpose of the website revamp: for non profits, it could be getting more donations, raising more awareness, recruiting more members, or advocating for your organization’s cause.
What are the hoped-for outcomes of the project
How often will the team meet?
What technology they need to work on the project alone and in a team?
Second stage: appoint a project manager. Depending on the organization, this person may or may not be a staff member. Having the person be a staff member ensures another level of accountability to ensuring the project gets completed.
The project manager should have an awareness of how each stage of the project works. They do not need to be an expert, but general knowledge of each sphere helps.
The project manager is responsible for gathering the information from each team, implementing deadlines, seeing that each task is completed, that all parties are working well together. It’s almost like keeping an eye of moving parts of a puzzle.
The project manager should set regular meetings to review the work of each task team.
Important: a note taker should be appointed for each meeting. It does not have to be formal minutes, just bullet point with who has been assigned to each task and by what deadline so you are all aware of expectations, and who is responsible.
The third stage is to break the entire website revamp project down into tasks.
Such tasks could be:
Analyzing member/stakeholder needs
Usability
Design
Content
Technology will be used to set up the website
Analytics and metrics – how many people visit, or achieve the goals the not for profits
Launch
Part of this stage is to also determine
Who will handle each task?
How long will it take to accomplish each task?
And to outline the skills needed for each task, so you can recruit later.
Assign team members to each task, and appoint a leader for each team. Each team should be a small, focused group. Some team members may overlap – but should be aware of their assigned roles and tasks in each team to which they belong.
The fifth stage is that, when working on the project, you use the SMART technique.
Specific goal
Measurable results
Achievable results
Relevant results
Time bound
For instance, for the usability task, the SMART goal would be:
By June 30, 2018, our team would have reviewed the website behavior of 10 members to determine how they will access content on our website.
This would be the smart goal for the usability team:
By June 30, 2018, our team would have reviewed the website behavior of 10 members to determine how they will access content on our website.
Specific goal: studying member behavior on the website
Measurable: 10 members we’re studying
Achievable: Within 6 months - yes
Relevant results: how they access content on website – broken down into specifics
Time: by June 30
We now move into how to select a team for your virtual projects:
Selecting a volunteer for virtual projects goes beyond just being able to use software or hardware. These are just tools that fulfill the end.
Before considering adding a volunteer to your team, determine the following:
Where are you going to look for them? The ultimate goal of virtual volunteering is to expand your borders, to get that fresh blood, so to speak. Consider job boards for volunteers, ads on social media, word of mouth, advertising in related publications.
What do other volunteers say about this person’s work ethic?
Is this person known as being easy to get along with?
Has the person demonstrated expertise for the project you are considering?
What is their attitude towards the cause the not for profit is promoting? Are they hopeful, willing to get the word out, cynical, or just in it for themselves?
Are they known for being someone who gets work done, or leaves it for others to complete?
What work have they done in the past, and how was it done?
Since they are often not paid, doing an excellent job as a volunteer comes down to being self-motivated, and an ability to see the work accomplished as a reward in itself.
A virtual volunteer is usually working alone, and sometimes in teams. Because there is no way to check the volunteer’s work, the not for profit organization has to trust that the volunteer will do the best work they can.
Since one of the drawbacks of virtual volunteering is a lack of physical presence, the volunteer selected must demonstrate a mix of:
Dedication to the cause promoted by the not for profit
Willingness to learn
Willingness to cooperate with team members
Openness to change
Willing to check in with the team on major decisions
Now we get to the third element of virtual volunteering, which is technology.
In terms of the volunteer’s fit with technology: it’s more than being able to use technology – it’s more of an attitude towards it. In the end, like any position, selecting someone for a role comes down to fit.
Ask
What computer system do they use? Mac or PC? If they don’t even have a computer, dead giveaway!
Do they have internet access?
What is their comfort level/access to the Microsoft suite? [This is as basic as it gets software wise]. A lot of intuitive software is based on the MS Word platform. So once you’ve started there, it’s easy to adjust to other software.
How do their skills/expertise (gained on the job, in other volunteer positions) a fit for the role?
Can they self-train? If they do not know how to use some aspect of technology, are they willing to research it themselves?
Have they ever worked the same document with other people? Essential because when you are working on the same project with other people, you will have access to the same files, and need to learn how to save and set approvals.
What level is their operating system at? [this will be key to choosing software that is not internet based]
Can they use the track comments feature in MS Word?
Are they familiar with using spreadsheets in project work?
There’s a myriad of software out there, here’s what you should look for before purchasing each. The type of software you will need depends on the project, and can range from simple teleconferencing to full scale collaboration software.
I recommend using the simplest version to begin with, so you can test your needs, before going to a full scale solution.
Look for software that supports not for profits. Software geared towards non-profit needs is more considerate of the way non-profits are structured, and will also fit their pricing accordingly.
Fits your budget.
Is easy to use. Software use should be intuitive, and if not intuitive, should be easily grasped during training. If software is difficult to use, it’s less likely to be adopted.
Has access to support and training. Of all the criteria, this item is very important. While some companies provide personal advisors to guide you through entire use of the product, others will provide a training period. Try to avoid purchasing software where the only support is via online forums, or where the support is limited to pay per use.
Has a trial period. Some software companies will allow for a 14 to one month trial period. Others will allow you to use a less featured version of the software until you need their more premium features.
Allows you to see a demo. The trial period can act as a demonstration where you get to use the software in its full configuration, or you can be allowed access to a demo version where you can play around with the features.
Note: No need to take notes, I can send this to you later. We’ll do a focus on collaboration and web conferencing software in the next two slides
Teleconferencing:
standard, should be able to record calls, multiple parties on line.
Collaboration/workspace software:
Gives teams a centralized place in which to share, discuss and work on projects. Workplace software is like a virtual office which organizes your documents, tasks, allows users to obtain approvals, and keeps track of all emails. Should also include a project management feature so you don’t have to access separate software.
If you use collaboration software, you may not need to buy other software such as file sharing, or project management tools. For this software determine its:
Ease of use
Ability to assign and manage tasks
Keep track of files
Search and organize information
Cloud based software – so all can have access
Use of calendars
Ability to share content
Ability to track documents, and see approvals
Ability to see different versions of documents, so you are all working on the same version
Focus on software built for non profit collaboration
Examples: Google Docs, Huddle; Trello, Basecamp, Asana
See: How to collaborate with Google Docs
http://mashable.com/2016/03/18/collaborate-google-docs/#8qX3FBSaU5qY
Meeting schedulers: Helps you schedule meeting dates with multiple people over multiple dates. Examples: Doodle poll; Tungle.me,
File sharing/transfer:
Examples: Dropbox, Box.com, We Transfer
You can’t always send files with email. Dropbox provides 2GB of space, and gives users a box, where all parties are given access to files. WeTransfer, allows you to send files of up to 2GB and will store the files for about a week, allowing users to download when needed.
Online meeting software/web conferencing
Examples: Google Hangout, Facebook Live, Join.me, Adobe Connect, GoTo Meeting, Webex
Provides teams with ability to have real time conversations by audio and video.
What to look out for:
Secure access
Ability to record
Ability to turn video off and on
Clear audio
Ability to share screens
Ability to change lead speakers
Desktop and mobile versions
Unlimited number of attendees (this can vary depending on your needs)
Not locked into contract (can vary)
Note: No need to take notes, I can send this to you later. We’ve got this as a handout you can use as a checklist.
I’ve divided the tools needed into Basic and Advanced options, and your use of this will vary depending on the project.
Teleconferencing:
No need to provide examples,
Ensure that you are able to record calls, a personal room that multiple parties can be on the call. Suggest a paid option over free, to reduce advertisements and ensure accountability by the company. Check audio before committing to the software.
Meeting schedulers: Have you ever tried to schedule meetings with multiple people over multiple dates? Meeting schedulers are essential so that all participants can choose a meeting date by seeing the dates listed in a table, and seeing what dates others have picked. Examples: Doodle poll; Tungle.me,
File sharing/transfer:
Examples: Dropbox, Box.com, We Transfer
You can’t always send files with email. Dropbox provides 2GB of space, and gives users a box, where all parties are given access to files. WeTransfer, allows you to send files of up to 2GB and will store the files for about a week, allowing users to download when needed.
Collaboration/workspace software:
Gives teams a centralized place in which to share, discuss and work on projects. Workplace software is like a virtual office which organizes your documents, tasks, allows users to obtain approvals, and keeps track of all emails. Should also include a project management feature so you don’t have to buy separate software.
If you use collaboration software, you may not need to buy other software such as schedulers, file sharing, or project management tools.
Focus on software built for non profit collaboration: it can provide you with tools that are set up for volunteers, Boards, and non profit staff.
Before adopting use, first check for:
Ease of use – some of these tools can be very complicated and very robust, when all you might need is a simple solution like Google Docs for instance.
Ability to assign and manage tasks
Keep track of files
Search and organize information
Cloud based software – so all can have access
Use of calendars
Ability to share content
Ability to track documents, and see approvals
Ability to see different versions of documents, so you are all working on the same version
See: How to collaborate with Google Docs
http://mashable.com/2016/03/18/collaborate-google-docs/#8qX3FBSaU5qY
Note: No need to take notes, I can send this to you later.
Online meeting software/web conferencing
Examples: Google Hangout, Facebook Live, Join.me, Adobe Connect, GoTo Meeting, Webex
As I’ve said before, one of the disadvantages of virtual volunteering can the lack of interpersonal contact. Web conferencing software is a way to simulate real time conversations, and facilitate non verbal communication - which is essential when working in teams.
Provides teams with ability to have real time conversations by audio and video.
What to look out for:
Secure access
Ability to record
Ability to turn video off and on
Clear audio
Ability to share screens
Ability to change lead speakers
Desktop and mobile versions
Unlimited number of attendees (this can vary depending on your needs)
Not locked into contract (can vary)
In summary, what I have learned about virtual volunteering is that organizations need to:
Recognize that going virtual will cause change - and change needs to be managed, not ignored.
Take note of your organization’s culture and how it could stifle or embrace change
Consider how volunteer and staff roles will change when projects are managed virtually.
Create debriefing meetings to discuss feelings of displacement, loss of power, anger or resistance. Occasional surveys sent out to volunteers and staff to analyze how the group and project are working as a whole.