October 23, 2012

My tech: the networked technology tools I use
(and have used over the years)
Since I started this web site back in 1996, I have shared what technology tools I use - and how I use it. I do that because I have found web sites by various folks so very helpful when I'm learning some new technology or wondering if I should invest in a new tool, and because the Internet started off as a place where people freely offered helpful advice and tools - and it's my way of keeping that spirit alive. I'm no techie, but I do like being a good citizen.

I led two #commbuild tweetchats on Twitter this month! The #commbuild tweetchat is focused on building and sustaining online communities for nonprofits, charities, schools, government programs and other mission-based initiatives, though some corporate folks frequently show up and share. More about the #commbuild tweetchat events.

• The focus of "my" first tweet chat was on dealing with conflict among members of an online community. You can read the archive of this tweetchat on Storify to see what suggested practices participants came up with.  And see this advice on microbloging, tweeting and tweetchats.
• The focus of "my" second tweet chat was on cultivating leadership on online communities. The transcript is available via Storify: http://sfy.co/iAo8 - lots of great advice! Thanks everyone who participated!

August & September 2012 blogs
NGOs are using the cloud - but there are barriers, September 24, 2012
Magical paychecks, September 18, 2012
Theater as a community development/education tool - it takes more than artists, August 21, 2012
Women & the Digital Divide: still a reality?, August 14, 2012
Tourism as a tool for economic & community development, August 08, 2012
Managers of volunteers love spreadsheets, August 06, 2012

I'm away from the Internet Aug. 31 - Sept. 16, 2012
I'm away from the Internet - no email, no Twitter, no nuthin'. Truly unplugged. I expect to dig out from the piled up email and tweets by the end of the month.

August 2012

• Volunteer online with TechSoup (& me!)
I'm recruiting online volunteers to help in two roles: Wiki Contributors/Editors and Online Community Forum Subject Experts (links go to VolunteerMatch). I note in detail on my blog why these roles have been reserved for volunteers. I'm happy to sign off on any paperwork a volunteer might need for a class or other agency that is requiring unpaid service. And if you want to call it an internship, I'll be happy to call it such and ensure that it is a learning opportunity for you, fill out any classroom paperwork, etc.


• Tourism as a tool for economic & community development
  As most of you know, I'm an aid and development worker. Some of you may also know that I'm also an avid traveler. And in engaging in both of those activities, I've seen firsthand how tourism is a major driver of economic growth and sustainable development. So I've compiled a web page of both my own resources related to tourism for development and links to some of my favorite resources. Have a look and, if you would like to contribute info, by all means, do!. The page also details how I use social media as a traveler.

July 2012 blogs
What's so fabulous about software tools for volunteer management?, July 23, 2012
What did you learn today? Or this week?, July 19, 2012
What do volunteers do? The answer may surprise you, July 17, 2012
Results of survey re volunteer management software, July 10, 2012
Have you ever changed your mind?, July 02, 2012

July 11, 2012
Results of our survey regarding volunteer management software
In March and April 2012, myself and Rob Jackson drafted and circulated a survey regarding software used to manage volunteer information. The purpose of the survey was to gather some basic data that might help organizations that involve volunteers to make better-informed decisions when choosing software, and to help software designers to understand the needs of those organizations. We also wanted to get a sense of what organizations were thinking about volunteer management software. At long last, we're publishing the results of the survey here (in PDF). It includes an executive summary of our findings, as well as the complete responses to questions and our analysis of such. Rob and I did not have time to analyze all of the comments made in answer to some questions; for all questions, we listed the comments made, but we did not always offer any observations about such, or group the responses into categories. We welcome the efforts of other researchers to offer their own analysis of the data provided. You can make comments about the survey results on my blog.

 
2012, 2011 & 2010 Blogs (index of titles, by date)
 
What was new (things prior to the last entry on the "What's New" page you're reading now)