CVAT is a collaboration between Tameside Third Sector Coalition and Volunteer Centre Tameside with a mission to build and support strong, vibrant volunteering, community, and voluntary action in Tameside. The organization uses information and communications technology (ICT) across 7 key areas: 1) improving efficiency, 2) evidencing outcomes, 3) managing operations, 4) collaborating, 5) communicating, 6) fundraising, and 7) inspiring and convincing others. ICT tools like an ORCA database, Quickbooks accounting software, Yammer, social media, and text giving support CVAT's work in making processes more efficient, tracking impacts, facilitating collaboration both internally and externally, sharing information, raising funds, and promoting

1. The strategic difference
good technology makes to
an organisation
Tony Okotie
October 2012

2. Who are CVAT?
1+1 =3
Tameside Third Sector
Coalition
+
Volunteer Centre Tameside
=
CVAT

3. The overarching mission of CVAT:
‘to build, and support strong,
vibrant volunteering,
community and voluntary
action
in Tameside’

4. Our use of ICT.......

5. 7 key areas

6. Our use of ICT.......

7. 7 key areas
1. To improve efficiency
2. To evidence
3. To manage
4. To collaborate
5. To communicate
6. To fundraise
7. To inspire and convince

8. 1. To improve efficiency

9. 1. To improve efficiency
Principle of ‘self service’
 If you can.......

10. 2. To evidence and 3. To manage

11. 2. To evidence
ORCA database
Developed across greater Manchester and
Merseyside, ChangeUp project
All CVS in GM now using it
Contacts database and activities / casework
database
Drives our email bulletins
Integrated online booking for events / courses
etc via website
Easy reporting!

12. 3. To manage
Accounting software - Quickbooks
Easy reporting!

13. 4. To collaborate

14. 4. To collaborate
Overlap between collaborating and
communicating
Yammer
Closed discussion space
Used internally and externally

15. 5. To communicate
Lots and lots and lots of tools available!
Twitter
Facebook
Newsletters
E-bulletins
etc etc etc etc etc etc
Need clarity about purpose

16. 5. To communicate
One-way or two-way communication?
One way – simply information
Two way - dialogue

17. 6. To fundraise
Text giving
Free - Vodafone text giving
Online giving
Just giving, MyGift etc

18. Tameside 4 Good
Helping local people give
time and skills,
resources and money,
to local good causes
Small actions + people power
= big change

19. For example......
This
will be
me!
Donate to Tameside 4 Good:
simply text TAME44 £5 to 70070
to donate £5 today

20. Tameside 4 Good

21. 7. To inspire and convince

22. Some final
thoughts

23. Our use of ICT.......

24. 7 key areas
1. To improve efficiency
2. To evidence
3. To manage
4. To collaborate
5. To communicate
6. To fundraise
7. To inspire and convince

25. Separate technology strategy?
Separate technology strategy or to support
organisations’ strategy / mission?
Must be embedded!
Must support / extend what we are trying
to do
All 7 areas link back to our aims and
objectives
Technology is an enabler
not a force for good in its own right

26. Money, money, money!
Its not about the money, money, money
But money is important – it’s an investment
not a cost
For CVAT, its in three areas:
Central recharge
 hardware, server, software etc
 Clear lifetime replacement policy
Staff training and development
Delivery costs

27. Leadership and culture
Leadership is important
Show staff how technology can help them
and their ‘customers’
Encourage champions
Empower staff to develop and use
technology
but with some clear parameters / boundaries

28. Finally
Beware of the hype!
Don’t forget the obvious things!
Email access, centralised access to
documents etc
Find some trusted suppliers / advisors
Measure the benefit / impact of
technology

29. Questions and
debate