Technology in the Non Profit

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Technology in the Non Profit

• The Basics, Trends and Where to go for Help

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Plan !?

• Map out work functions of all employees
• Find Software to automate and enhance your work
• Determine Hardware to support the software
• Budget for Hardware, Software, Training and
  Support
• Determine Value and ROI

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Hardware

• Do an Assessment (see Display) and look at the
  map of your work functions. Does your Hardware
  meet your needs?
• If you are in the market, dont overduebuy what
  you need.
• Look at all available resources. Tech Soup has a
  recycled hardware program, for example. But be
  careful of donated or very used hardware.
• Replace 1/3 or the machines out of the
  organization every 3 years to keep them under
  warranty and spread out the financial burden. 

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Networking

• Client Server For more than ten computers, this
  setup uses a server as the network store house
  with all PCs connected to it. Servers handle
  backup, email services and much more.

• Peer to Peer This is a simpler configuration
  for small numbers of PCs. All computers are
  connected to a hub (but not a server) and they
  all share security and files (as designated).

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Backup and Support

• Back up daily from a central location be it a
  server or a designated workstation holding shared
  data.  This backup can be done using built-in
  backup tools or third-party software. 
• Retain a minimum of 1-2 weeks for differentials
  and weeklies for 2 weeks.  The last weekly backup
  of each month should be retained for at least a
  year and the last month of the year
  indefinitely. 
• Medium of choice would be tape for large data
  sets, but CD or DVD are equally valid if the
  amount will fit on the disc.  CDs hold 700 MB and
  DVDs hold 4.7 GB.

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Backup and Support, cont.

• Test the backup and restorability.  Someone at
  each organization needs to know where the backups
  are stored and how to restore data in the event
  of a loss.
• Develop or locate affordable support in your
  community. 
• Look to add tech savvy volunteers to board or
  staff that can focus on improving tech
  infrastructure and keep organization's network
  functioning at peak performance.
• Local schools, colleges, etc. are a great source
  of skilled an inexpensive (free) support. 

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Why not be Trendy?

• Virtual Office Suites (Open Office and Google
  Docs)
• Virtual Operation (multiple operating systems in
  one virtual servers)
• Social Networking like LinkedIn, Google
  OpenSocial and Facebook for professional
  networking
• Green Technology (energy efficient, less hardware
  and more virtualization)
• Exchange host (instead of server) with a
  sharepoint host and web host much cheaper,
  little hardware and software, no worries about
  backup,
• more virtual
• Email, Email, Email

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Remote Access

• Virtual Private Network Windows XP Pro will
  allow you to configure your computer to access
  your office network using VPN. It requires
  following certain steps and you will have to know
  your IP address. This is good for offices that
  have an established network at the office but
  want some users to be able to access it at home.
  For more info go to http//mobileoffice.about.com
  /od/connectingtotheoffice/ht/vpnclient.html.

• WindowsXP Remote Desktop - Remote Desktop,
  included with Windows XP Professional, enables
  you to connect to your computer across the
  Internet from virtually any computer, Pocket PC,
  or Smartphone. Once connected, Remote Desktop
  gives you mouse and keyboard control over your
  computer while showing you everything that's
  happening on the screen. This link will bring you
  to a Microsoft intro on Remote Desktop
  http//www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/mobility/
  getstarted/remoteintro.mspx.

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Remote Access, cont.

• Real VNC - http//www.realvnc.com/index.html -
  The site provides a remote control environment
  which allows you to see and interact with
  applications across any network. Unlike several
  other products, this one allows several
  connections to the same desktop, providing an
  invaluable tool for collaborative or shared
  working in the workplace. They are featured on
  Techsoup.org and even have a free version.

• Subscription Services There are several online
  services which, for free or for a nominal fee per
  month, allows one to access your office computer
  from home or any remote location. For a free
  version, try www.logmein.com. Other services
  offer 30 days free and then charge a nominal fee
  per month. Try www.webex.com (the service we use
  for eCIV online training) or GoToMyPC at
  www.GoToMyPC.com.

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Where to Turn

• NPower - www.npower.org or www.npowerseattle.org
  - NPower is a national program with 17 affiliates
  that helps organizations expand their impact
  through the use of technology. The NPower
  Seattle site has a very useful tool called the
  Tech Atlas which can help your organization map
  out technology for the office.

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Where to Turn, cont.

• NTen www.nten.org This stands for Non profit
  technology network. NTEN assists all nonprofit
  organizations skillfully and confidently use
  technology to meet community needs and fulfill
  their missions. They are the membership
  organization of nonprofit technology
  professionals. Membership affords you discounts
  on many services, products and online tools
  useful in the workplace.

• Tech Soup - www.techsoup.org A long time
  favorite of NCIVs, TechSoup provides a range of
  technology services for nonprofits, including
  news and articles, discussion forums, and
  discounted and donated technology products. Dont
  miss this site and definitely become a member!

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So you have all the tech tools, now what???
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Using Technology for Effective Communication in
the Non Profit World

• Web-Centric Marketing, Social Networking, Email
  Communicating and the big deal about Google-ing!

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Web-Centric Marketing
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Web-Centric methods

• A key tactical approach to interactive marketing
  is to create a web-centric campaign. The
  Internet, like no other channel, allows you to
  interact with your audience. The thing about a
  website, though, is its only effective if people
  are on it. This is where other marketing vehicles
  can come into play. Using traditional methods
  such as print media, along with online tools and
  social networks, email campaigns and the like,
  you can effectively keep your brand in the
  forefront and drive your audience to your website.

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Domains

• Choosing an effective domain name is important to
  increase visibility, attract interest, and
  inspire trust.
• Follow these tips when selecting a domain name
• Choose a descriptive domain name that conveys
  professionalism and is easy to remember and type.
  
• Consider a domain name that represents the type
  of work that your organization is involved in.

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Social Networking

• A social network service focuses on the building
  and verifying of online social networks for
  communities of people who share interests and
  activities, or who are interested in exploring
  the interests and activities of others, and which
  necessitates the use of software. Several
  websites are beginning to tap into the power of
  the social networking model for social good. Such
  models may be highly successful for connecting
  otherwise fragmented industries and small
  organizations without the resources to reach a
  broader audience with interested and passionate
  users. Users benefit by interacting with a like
  minded community and finding a channel for their
  energy and giving.

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Social Networking, cont.

• Most services are primarily
• web based and provide a collection
• of various ways for users to
• interact, such as chat, messaging,
• email, video, voice chat, file
• sharing, blogging, discussion
• groups, and so on. These sites can
• also be a great way to keep in
• touch with and expand your
• membership base.

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Communication

• Constant Contact - www.ConstantContact.com -
  Constant Contact will help you create email
  campaigns and online surveys that build lasting
  relationships with your customers, members or
  clients.
• Groundspring - www.groundspring.org - Nonprofit
  organization that is providing affordable
  services for small to mid-size nonprofit
  organizations to help them become effective users
  of internet technology in their fundraising and
  management of donors and supporters.

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Email Communication, cont.

• Survey Monkey www.surveymonkey.com -
  Intelligent survey software with a single
  purpose to enable anyone to create professional
  online surveys quickly and easily. 

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Google Services

• Blogger - www.blogger.com - A blog is your
  easy-to-use web site, where you can quickly post
  thoughts, interact with people, and more.

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Google Services

• Video - www.video.google.com - Upload video of
  past events and post to home website, social
  networking site or email the link to members.

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Google Services

• Calendar - www.google.com/calendar - Organize
  your schedule and share events with friends and
  colleagues. Also post events of like minded
  international events, lectures, conferences, etc

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Google Services

• GooglePage Creator - www.pages.google.com -
  Google Page Creator is a free online tool that
  makes it easy for anyone to create and publish
  useful, attractive web pages in just minutes.

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Google Services

• Google Analytics - www.google.com/analytics
  -Tracks referring websites, ads, search engines
  and offline initiatives.

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Dream BIG!!!