The Huron River Watershed Council is an environmental non-profit focused on watershed research, education, service opportunities, and partnerships. They acknowledge the importance of volunteers but have inconsistent terminology use and a database that does not fully meet their needs. Recommendations include standardizing terminology, improved database training, integrating systems, and designating a database expert.

1. SI 501 Contextual Inquiry:
The Huron River Watershed Council
Team: SI4HRWC
Terence O’Neill, Shauna Masura, Phillip Tularak, An Yang, Wenke Wang
S

2. About The Huron River Watershed Council
S Environmental non-profit organization founded in 1965
S Focus on:
S Watershed Research
S Education
S Schools
S Festivals
S Community Outreach
S Service Opportunities
S Partnerships with local governments

3. Involvement/Process
S Scope
S Communication and data collection processes regarding the
organization and volunteers, members, and donors
S Methodology
S 6 interviews with staff and volunteers
S 2 supplemental observations
S Analysis
S Workflow models and cultural assessments
S Affinity Diagram

4. Positive Attributes
S The HRWC acknowledges the importance of volunteers,
members, and donors
S They work with families and children to promote values of
environmental stewardship
S Volunteers enjoy the training sessions and activities
S Teamwork is highly valued as a core part of the organization
S Staff members are empowered to work independently on projects
and programs that coincide with their interests and backgrounds

5. Finding 1: Inconsistent Use Of
Terminology Throughout The Organization
Evidence:
S Multiple sign-in sheets and sign-up forms
S Inconsistent terminology entered into the database (Campaign
Manager)
S The HRWC has been unable to articulate a shared vision for the
redesign of the database
Recommendations:
S Create a code book for the standardization of terminology
S Utilize the code book to create templates for data collection
S Utilize the code book to rename the current fields of the database

6. Sign-in Sheets

7. Finding 2: Staff Members Lack Training
With The Database
Evidence:
S Staff members who use the database are primarily self-taught
S The database features are only partially utilized by staff
S Staff are uncomfortable utilizing the database, therefore it is
used inconsistently for data collection and management
Recommendations:
S Short-term: leveled/differentiated training sessions
S Creation of database manual and training videos
S Additional trainings coordinated with future database
improvements

12. Finding 3: The Database Does Not Meet
The Needs Of The Organization
Evidence:
S The flags are not standardized
S Staff members keep writing new tags and old tags can be
overridden
S The database was originally designed with no formal
requirements
S The marketing layout is designed for advertisements
S The organization’s systems are not integrated with one another
S Google Forms do not import easily into the database

13. Finding 3: The Database Does Not Meet
The Needs Of The Organization
Short-Term Recommendations:
S Implement a policy for creating new flags
S Modify the database to prevent users from creating new flags
ad-hoc
S Redesign the marketing layout using existing fields in the
database
S Work with the database consultant to improve the integration
of Google Forms with the database

14. Finding 3: The Database Does Not Meet
The Needs Of The Organization
Long-term Recommendations:
S Leverage program APIs (Application Program Interface) to
create interoperability between the systems
S Database system (Filemaker) and mass e-mail (Vertical Response )
S Redesign the interface using requirements specified by the
organization
S Create a formal requirements document/functional specifications
by surveying current staff of needs

15. Finding 4: No Resident Database Expert at
the HRWC
Evidence:
S Current volunteer Database Consultant communicates
primarily with the Development Director
S Staff members are unaware of the Database Consultant’s role
with the HRWC
S The staff does not know how to communicate suggestions or
concerns regarding the database

16. Finding 4: No Resident Database Expert at
the HRWC
Recommendations:
S Formalize Relationship with Database Consultant
S Develop policy regarding Database Consultant with the
HRWC (feedback/expectations)
S Create a new role (Office Support Professional) to facilitate
interactions with the database

17. The HRWC In The Future
S Integrated information systems
S Specialized, effective communication with volunteers,
members, and donors
S Empowered staff who utilize information and technology to
further their organizational mission

18. Thank You
S The HRWC

19. Questions?