• Update: Research On (or relating to) Online Volunteering
  Though the practice of online volunteering (also known as virtual volunteering) has been around for more than 30 years (it is a practice that could be found on the systems that pre-dated the Internet), there's relatively little research about it. I've tried to compile and maintain a list of all of the research available about online volunteering -- publicly-available studies and evaluation reports regarding online volunteering, online activists, online civic engagement, online civil society, and online mentoring (not PR pieces but, rather, reviews and research that more than mention these subjects). In addition, this page now includes a list of various research documents and articles relating to telecommuting, virtual teams and Internet culture that were used to produce resources at the Virtual Volunteering Project and remain highly relevant to anyone interested in studying online volunteering in-depth. The page also still includes a list of possible angles for researching online volunteering, primarily to benefit practitioners (those involving online volunteers, or want to).

• Jayne 2.0
  (Me on YouTube & Tips For Using Video to Support Volunteers
  If you subscribe to my blog, then you already know that I've started my own YouTube channel (but then, hasn't everyone?), and my first video is on Using Video to Support Online Volunteers/Remote Volunteers. It's just nine minutes long. It goes well with my first podcast, "For Nonprofits Considering Their Own Podcasts: Why It's Worth Exploring, and Content Considerations." These are really simple products; the video was done in less than 30 minutes, not counting the time it took to write the script and upload it to YouTube. The podcast was made using my iBook running OS 9, to show that such can be done with even old technology. And the lesson from both, I hope, is that truly, anyone with a decent computer can do this. Also see these suggestions for using real-time tools with volunteers (VoIP, chat, instant messaging, etc.).

• Most Popular Pages on My Web Site
  What are the top pages on my web site, the ones visited the most, except for my home page? Let's have a look:
  1. Camping With Your Dogs (I struck a chord with this page when I launched it years ago; I don't promote it at all anymore and, yet, it gets traffic like crazy)
     
  2. Very basic tips for an American Moving to Germany (including information on bringing in dogs, because dogs are good)
     
  3. Marketing Your Organization's Web Site
     
  4. Prison-Based Dog Training Programs: Rehabilitation for Canine and Human (another page I struck a chord with, and it's just a page-in-progress)
     
  5. Listing of Volunteer Management Software
     
  6. I still love my lime iBook! (info on using an "antique" computer)
     
  7. Nonprofit Organizations and Online Social Networking: Advice and Commentary
     
  8. On Volunteerism & Volunteer Management (index of all my resources related to such)
     
  9. Consulting by Jayne Cravens (list of my services)
     
  10. Reality Check: Volunteering Abroad
      

I regularly contribute to various civil society/mission-based-organization-related online discussion groups, such as the AidWorkers Network. As of today, I'm the top contributor (most answers voted "best") on the Yahoo!Answers Community service and among the top five on Yahoo!Answers Careers & Employment/Government & Non-Profit. It would be great if more of you with expertise in volunteer management and nonprofit careers would participate in these two Yahoo!Answers platforms; many more voices of reason are needed!

• For the last four years or so, in my spare time or through my work, I've been collecting examples of how folklore, rumors and urban myths interfere with development and aid/relief efforts, as well as collecting recommendations for preventing folklore, rumors and urban myths from interfering with development and aid/relief efforts. I've just greatly expanded both the examples and the recommendations for prevention pages. Further examples, recommendations and resources are always welcomed.

• I don't just advocate that people should volunteer; I'm also a volunteer myself. One of my many activities is as a volunteer with the Aid Workers Network, an all-volunteer online community for people working in aid, relief & development. The people who help maintain AWN are professional aid workers who donate their time and expertise, often while they are working in a developing country under contract with an aid agency, to help keep AWN operating (I was able to volunteer for AWN while in Afghanistan). For AWN, I recruit and support volunteers who maintain the AWN site and its operations. I'm using the network itself, as well as the UN's Online Volunteering service to recruit additional online volunteers to support AWN. I've got five opportunities posted there right now (as of February 2008). You can go directly to the AWN account to view the opportunities. If you are interested, just to see how one all-virtual organization recruits its online volunteers or if you want to join in as a volunteer, please check out those aforementioned links.

• I'm updating my Blog regularly, with notices about when my web site is updated, as well resources or announcements I want to pass on to others and my availability for consulting. The blog provides a way for readers to post comments as well. Also, you can use Technorati to monitor my most recent activities online -- or anyone else's. Just click on my name: Jayne Cravens.

• I finally got my Nabaztag working. Her name is juanabunny. If you have a Nabaztag, drop me a line on the network. If you don't, then you have no idea what I'm talking about and, truly, it's just a geek toy -- no worries.

Happy New Year! I am in the middle of transitioning from my beloved lime clamshell iBook running OS 9.2.2, to a MacBook running OS X. Part of that transition is figuring out what the software on my MacBook isn't just a demo and what such is actually for. I have a page that lists everything I used my iBook for, all of the software I was using on the iBook, and what I have upgraded to or switched to for the MacBook, if anything yet. Please note that in several cases I am still looking for suggestions, and yours would be welcomed. And if, after looking at the list, you think there's a better choice for a particular function, please let me know.

 

• Me in the USA, May 2008
  Looks like I'll be speaking at a private conference in Chicago May 15. Around May 18, I'll fly down to Austin, Texas for several days. I'm available for leading other workshops and consulting in the USA during that time, so if you are interested, please contact me (my schedule fills up quickly .

• Simplifying Life with RSS
  RSS... another hip tech acronym to learn. What is it and why should your nonprofit / NGO / government office care? This latest resource describes RSS in very simple terms, to show how it can make media monitoring easier and reduce clutter in your email inbox.

• See You in November:
  I'll be presenting at the Institute for Advanced Volunteer Management (IAVM) 2007 Residential program, November 14 - 16 at the Paramount Imperial Hotel, North Promenade Blackpool, England. This three-day retreat presents 45 workshops by a variety of trainers; mine will focus on online volunteering and using the Internet to support volunteers. SEATING IS LIMITED. More information about the IAVM Residential.

• Volunteer Management Software Index - UPDATED
  Some of the most frequently-asked questions to me are about volunteer management software: what's available, how different packages compare with each other, the cost of each, the features of each, and on and on. I do not have the resources to create a comparison of the different volunteer management software out there. But I do provide a list of all of the volunteer management software geared towards nonprofit organizations (as opposed to corporate volunteering programs) that I know about, or nonprofit-related software/community relationship management software that has substantial volunteer management functions. There are more than 30 software options available. I believe my list is the most comprehensive list available anywhere.

• Advice for Taking Photos in the Developing World
  While working in Kabul, Afghanistan for most of this year, I developed a MS Powerpoint for staff on taking photos in the field. I relied heavily on all staff, particular Afghan staff, no matter what their job titles, to take photos whenever possible at events and workshops and during project site visits. This is because many staff are prohibited from traveling to certain parts of Afghanistan; international staff are sometimes prohibited from leaving Kabul altogether. This presentation/training touches on both the kinds of photos needed and how to take photos in a culturally-sensitive manner. This presentation is focused on a specific program and a specific country (Afghanistan), but maybe by changing the photos and a bit of text, it could work for you?

• Questions to Ask for a Major Report from the Developing World
  Most people who write reports about their projects in the developing world rely heavily on field staff to provide information. Often, however, field staff aren't expert report writers (that includes native English speakers), and struggle to provide meaningful, timely information in a coherent written form. Many report writers get around this by interviewing field staff about their work, so that needed information is provided through answers to questions. This method can also build the capacity of field staff to provide written information themselves. This is a list of questions I used to interview staff at an initiative in Afghanistan that was focused on rural projects. I based these questions on previous monthly and quarterly reports, suggestions from donors, the initiatives stated objectives, and my own need for information that could lead to stories in which the press might be interested.

• UPDATED: Basic Fund-Raising for Small NGOs serving the developing world
  This free document provides very basic guidelines for small NGOs in the developing world regarding fund-raising, and points to other online resources. By small NGOs, I mean organizations that may have only one paid staff member, or are run entirely by volunteers; and may not have official recognition by the government. When I began offering this more than a year ago, this document was 15 pages long; now, it's 23 pages long.

 
August 22, 2007

Back from Afghanistan for Good
I returned last night. Quite an adventure. So much to say... more soon.

 
As of February 20, 2007

• Electronic Waste is EVERYONE'S Responsibility
  When computers, stereos, VCRs, iPods, walkmans, video games, software, and cell phones are put into land fills, they leak poisons and heavy metals into the ground, endangering our lives and the health of our planet. With 48.5 million computers discarded each year, the USA is a particularly poor recycler and global citizen, exporting its hazardous electronic waste to developing countries, often illegally, and with horrific impacts on human health and the environment in these countries. This page will help your organization dispose of its electronic waste in an environmentally-friendly manner.

• Me in Afghanistan, late Feb.-Aug. 2007
  Yes, you read that right. I'm off to Afghanistan, to serve as Communication and Reporting Advisor for the United Nation's National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP), part of UNDP. And, yes, this changes significantly my availability for consulting assignments.

• In both 2005 and 2006, every Tech4Impact issue included a brand new topic, never-before presented in a previous issue. In 2007, even more brand new topics and resources will be presented! To subscribe, send a blank email to:
  tech4impact-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
  or, visit: tech4impact yahoogroup

• Listing of Volunteer Management Software
  Some of the most frequently-asked questions to me are about volunteer management software: what's available, how different packages compare with each other, the cost of each, the features of each, and on and on. I do not have the resources to create a comparison of the different volunteer management software out there. But I do provide a list of all of such software, or nonprofit-related software/community relationship management software that has substantial volunteer management functions, that I know about. I believe it is the most comprehensive list available anywhere. I also offer criteria to help organizations choose volunteer management software, and to help someone who might want to create a comparison of such software.

Volunteering, Civic Engagement & MySpace
For a few months now, I've been fiddlin' with MySpace to see how young people were using the site for activities relating to volunteerism / civic engagement -- if at all. There is, indeed, information here and there from individual users, some of it quite inspiring, but there's no overall guidance or encouragement for users on this subject. So, I decided to use my blog on MySpace (every user gets one) to focus specifically on volunteerism / civic engagement for MySpace users -- most of whom are in their teens and 20s. Please note that this MySpace blog does NOT replace my main blog.

Also see Nonprofit Organizations and Online Social Networking (OSN): Advice and Commentary, which offers a realistic set of possibilities and considerations for nonprofits regarding OSN platforms like LinkedIn, Friendster, MySpace and Care2.

Real-Time Communications With Volunteers
A growing number of nonprofit/civil society organizations are using real-time communications tools -- including video conferencing, online phone calls, chats and instant messaging -- to hold online meetings with volunteers, to allow volunteers to interact with staff, clients, or each other, or to involve volunteers in a live, online, real-time event. "Using Real-Time Communications With Volunteers" provides more information on using these real-time computer, audio and video tools with volunteers -- what the various tools are, how agencies are using them to interact with volunteers, and tips to encourage and maintain participation in synchronous communications.

• COMMENTARY: The Growing Digital Divide Among Nonprofit Organizations /
  Civil Society in the USA (and maybe it's not just digital)
  I'm seeing a disturbing trend: a gap between those organizations who are using the Internet in a myriad of ways to support their missions, and those who are still largely on the sidelines and not using network technologies in working with their volunteers. The question is, are these sidelined nonprofits there because of lack of access to resources, of lack of will to embrace them?

• Community Relations, With & Without Technology
  This section of the Coyote Communications web site has been greatly updated. It offers a range of advice and examples regarding community (public media, volunteer, donor, government, etc.) relations, both with and without technology. The advice is focused on nonprofit staff (paid and volunteer) who aren't the most tech-savvy people in the world, and who don't have intensive training in media relations or using tech-related tools, but are expected to master these activities as part of their jobs. It's also focused on those who need to think about and explore emerging technologies as part of their outreach efforts, but who need advice written in very human, accessible, non-technical language.

• Recognizing Online Volunteers & Using the Internet to Honor ALL Volunteers
  Recognition helps volunteers stay committed to your organization, and gets the attention of potential volunteers -- and donors -- as well. Organizations need to fully recognize the efforts of remote, online volunteers, as well as those onsite, and not differentiate the value of these two forms of service. Organizations should also incorporate use of the Internet to recognize the efforts of ALL volunteers, both online and onsite. With cyberspace, it's never been easier to show volunteers -- and the world -- that volunteers are a key part of your organization's successes. This new resource provides a long list of suggestions for both honoring online volunteers and using the Internet to recognize ALL volunteers that contribute to your organization.

• My next speaking engagement: "ICT, Social Capital and Voluntary Action," a seminar in London, to be presented on October 5, 2006, produced jointly by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the UK National Council for Voluntary Organisation (NCVO). If you would like to set up a meeting with me while I am in London (I can be there at least two days before and two days after this conference), contact me. Please note that my schedule fills up *very* quickly. More information about my consulting services.

• Stages of Maturity in Nonprofit Orgs Using Online Services
  What does a networking technology-savvy nonprofit organization look like? To help nonprofits think about networking tech standards they should pursue, and possible goals for the future, I've created this assessment of the states of maturity for a nonprofit organization's use of networking/online technologies.

• Handling Online Criticism
  Online criticism of a nonprofit organization, even by its own supporters, is inevitable. It may be about an organization's new logo or new mission statement, the lack of parking, or that the volunteer orientation being too long. It may be substantial questions regarding an organization's business practices and perceived lack of transparency. How a nonprofit organization handles online criticism speaks volumes about that organization, for weeks, months, and maybe even years to come. There's no way to avoid it, but there are ways to address criticism that can help an organization to be perceived as even more trustworthy and worth supporting.

• NetSquared and the New Wave of Online Volunteering
  Tiny nonprofit organizations with very little staff are doing extraordinary things with volunteers, and making their volunteers feel included and energized, not with pins and t-shirts but through greater and more-meaningful involvement. This conference provided endless examples of such, and I summarize them here.

• Nonprofit Organizations and Online Social Networking (OSN): Advice and Commentary
  OSN is buzz phrase used to describe special web-based online communities that are accessible only for community members, like LinkedIn, Friendster, MySpace and Care2. Is there a value for nonprofit organizations to engage in OSN platforms? This resource offers a realistic set of possibilities and considerations.

• Volunteering To Help After Major Disasters
  Whenever a disaster strikes, hundreds -- even thousands -- of citizens in the USA start contacting various organizations in an effort to try to volunteer onsite at the disaster site. But what many of these people don't realize is that spontaneous volunteers with no training and no affiliation can actually cause more problems than they alleviate in a disaster situation, particularly regarding disaster locations far from their home. If you want to be a part of the mobilization for a future disaster, here are tips to help you get into "the system," get training, and be in a position to make a real difference.

• Reality Check: Volunteering Abroad (especially for citizens of the USA)
  Times have changed drastically in the last 30 years regarding Americans and other "westerners" volunteering in other countries. The emphasis in local relief and development efforts is to empower local people, and to hire local people, whenever possible, to address their own issues, build their own capacities, and give them employment. This strategy is much more beneficial to local communities than to bring in an outside volunteer. That said -- the days of international volunteers are NOT numbered: there will always be a need for international volunteers, either to fill gaps in knowledge and service in a local situation, or because a more neutral observer/contributor is required. This new page provides tips on gaining the skills and experience that are critically needed to volunteer overseas.

• My Upcoming Travel Schedule
  I'll be in San Francisco, California, May 29 - June 4 (leaving on June 5), for the NetSquared Conference, and then I'll be in Washington, DC: July 7 - 17 to present at the UICC World Cancer Congress regarding emerging trends and innovations in volunteer management. If you would like to meet with me while I'm in either city, or arrange a workshop at your site regarding one of my areas of expertise, please contact me with your ideas. And please note that my schedule on USA trips fills up very quickly!

• For Nonprofits Considering Their Own Podcasts: Why It's Worth Exploring, and Content Considerations
  I present my first podcast about... podcasts. Specifically, I talk about how podcasts can be used by nonprofits, and just how easy it is to do. Download this mp3 file and listen to me chatter for seven minutes and 20 seconds. I speak slowly, for those of you who are non-native English speakers. The file is 3.3 MB. The transcript of the podcast is also available.

• Essential/Favorite Resources Regarding Volunteer Management and Volunteerism
  There is a plethora of resources promoting volunteerism, and at long last, the number of volunteer management resources has grown significantly. But which are "the best"? This is a list of my favorite resources relating to volunteerism and volunteer management -- books and online resources from trusted, established people and organizations that I believe should be required reading of anyone who recruits and supports volunteers.

• Does Your Organization's Practices Reflect Its Own Mission?
  Being successful in today's business and media climate means an organization must reflect in practice the values it promotes publicly. This latest article offers examples of organizations who aren't "walking their talk" regarding their mission, and the consequences such organizations face in not doing so.

• Mistake With an iPod:
  Why Tech Is So Hard to Use Even For "Techies"
  My own account of trying to buy a "new" technology and, despite my attempts to do all the necessary research, making a costly error. This is also an example of how software and hardware companies make finding information difficult to find, and very difficult to understand -- even for people who are supposedly tech literate.

• My experience as an online volunteer blog mentor - February 2006
  In addition to researching and compiling information online mentoring for many years, and helping to create numerous online mentor programs, I have also had the pleasure of serving as an online volunteer mentor on three different occasions, all with young people. Most recently, I was an online volunteer blog mentor for the Young Caucasus Women Project. This is about my experience.

• Choosing Specialized Software
  (Or Using What You Already Have)
  Label-making software, volunteer management software, project management software, presentation software, art work software, client-management software, fund raising software, etc. -- the "Buy v. Build" database debate, what to look for in a particular software package, etc.

• Why Should the Poor Volunteer? It's Time To Re-Think the Answer
  Editorial: When volunteering is so often presented just one way -- as a state-sanctioned free labor activity -- reluctance and even hostility by the unemployed, the cash-strapped and the disenfranchised are completely justified. If governments and donors want volunteerism campaigns in poor communities to lead to more volunteering, they must radically update their message.

• In 2005, every Tech4Impact issue included a brand new topic, never-before been presented in the almost five years I've been publishing this monthly email newsletter. In 2006, even more brand new topics and resources will be presented! By subscribing, you can read all of the 2005 issues of Tech4Impact. To subscribe, send a blank email to:
  tech4impact-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
  or, visit: tech4impact yahoogroup

  Tech4Impact will continue its focus on helping mission-based organizations to use computer and Internet technologies to benefit people, communities and the environment. Resources for those using lower-end computers and older versions of software will get particular emphasis, acknowledging that mission-based organizations often do not have access to the latest and greatest tech. And Tech4Impact will continue to be presented in as much non-"techie" language as possible.

• Vetting Organizations in Other Countries
  One of the frequently asked questions I receive is: "how do I know if a mission-based organization in another country is 'for real'? I want to volunteer/donate to such, but first, I want to make sure it's a credible organization, that it's not some sort of scam, or an 'organization' of just one person." I'm also seeing more and more organizations in developing countries posting their requests for volunteers directly to public online forums. This list of suggestions for anyone who is interested in such organizations.

• Hosting International Volunteers
  More and more local organizations in developing countries are turning to local expertise, rather than international volunteers, to support their efforts. However, the need for international volunteers remains, and will for many, many years to come. This resource provides tips for local organization in a developing countries interested in gaining access to international volunteers.

• Mission-Based Groups Need Use the Web to Show Accountability
  The number and tone of media stories regarding mission-based organizations/civil society and how they spent contributions in the wake of various disasters have done little to help such organizations better serve people in need. Rather, by concentrating on a few bad cases, or by misrepresenting administrative expenses as somehow unnecessary, they have made potential supporters suspicious of all charities, and those these organization's serve pay the ultimate price. There has never been a better time for mission-based organizations to use technology to show their transparency and credibility, and to teach the media and general public about the resources needed to address critical human and environmental needs.

• Theater as a Tool For Development
  For my Master's Degree in Development Studies (as in human, institutional and community development), I conducted an investigation of what elements need to be in place for an organization engages to successfully use live, in-person performance as a development tool, excluding performer training and theater techniques. Research focused on the experiences of people and organizations who have used live, in-person performance as a development tool. I have now posted descriptions of and, if possible, links to, all of the resources that I used for this research project, which will be turned in later this month. I hope others find these resources helpful, and that the initiatives who shared information can get some positive exposure for their efforts as a result.

What are good blog topics for mission-based organizations?
The word "blog" is short for "web log", and means keeping a journal or diary online. Blogging is NOT a new concept -- people have been doing it long before it had a snazzy media label. The appeal of blogging for an online audience is that it's more personal and less formal than other information on a web site. Readers who want to connect with an organization on a more personal level, or who are more intensely interested in an organization than the perhaps general public as a whole, love blogs. Blogs can come from your Executive Director, other staff members, volunteers, and even those you serve. Content options are many, and this list reviews some of your options

• Short-term assignments for tech volunteers
  There are a variety of ways for mission-based organizations to involve volunteers to help with short-term projects relating to computers and the Internet, and short-term assignments are what are sought after most by potential "tech" volunteers. But there is a disconnect: most organizations have trouble identifying such short-term projects. This is a list of short-term projects for "tech" volunteers -- assignments that might takes days, weeks or just a couple of months to complete.

• The Pitfalls of Having a Program Sponsor
  (and suggestions for mission-based organizations on how to avoid them)
  For-profit companies, particularly large corporations, often sponsor specific programs at mission-based organizations (non-profit organizations, non-governmental organizations/NGOs, civil society, school, etc.), providing funding, donated staff time, and in-kind equipment and services to help launch and maintain a program. In most ways, this is a blessing for the mission-based organization. But there are often hidden costs that lead to frustrations for everyone involved. This is a list of some of those hidden costs, and ways they can be avoided.

• Is Your Staff "Walking the Talk" Re: Your Organization's Online Activities?
  Mission-based organizations use the Internet in all sorts of ways to interact with the public, or with staff and volunteers abroad: for instance, online discussion groups, an intranet where staff and volunteers can share profiles about themselves and updates about their work with each other, or an online service that is promoted as central to the organization's mission and identity. But is your staff showing leadership in using these online tools? If your organization is to use technology successfully, all staff must embrace it. Here are tips on how to encourage that.

• 10 Myths About Online Volunteering (Virtual Volunteering)
  Online volunteering means unpaid service that is given via the Internet. It's also known as virtual volunteering, online mentoring, ementoring, evolunteering, cyber volunteering, cyber service, telementoring, and on and on. Here is a list of 10 common myths about online volunteering, and my attempt to counter them.

• Please, No More Volunteer-Matching Web Sites
  Please, no more volunteer matching sites for North America. There are plenty. In fact, in my opinion, there are too many. If you insist on launching such a site, I offer this advice.

A new look
After almost 10 years, a new logo and a new color scheme. But the same easy-to-download/easy-to-print pages and, I hope, worthwhile content.

Finding a Computer/Network Consultant
Staff at mission-based organizations (nonprofits, civil society organizations, and public sector agencies) often have to rely on consultants, either paid or volunteer, for expertise in computer hardware, software and networks. Staff may feel unable to understand, question nor challenge whatever that consultant recommends. What can mission-based organizations do to recruit the "right" consultant for "tech" related issues, one that will not make them feel out-of-the-loop or out-of-control when it comes to tech-related discussions?

Where'd That Page Go?!
I've deleted some pages off the Coyote Communications web site, that I felt were outdated and that were easily replaceable by much better, more complete and more up-to-date resources out there. I also re-arranged the directories rather significantly, so most of the documents on my web site now have different URLs. So please re-check any page you had book marked. And if there is a page that's been deleted and you really miss that page, simply go to www.archive.org and type in the URL of the page you want.