Notes

Outline

Technology Planning for Non-Profits Greater Lowell Non-Profit Leadership Forum November 9, 2000 http://www.lctc.org/techseminar

Presenters Kevin Mullen New Beginnings 970-5692 - kevmul@hotmail.com Felicia Sullivan Lowell Telecommunications Corp. 458-5400 x 11 - felicia@ltc.org

Seminar Objectives Promote Big-Picture Technology Planning as a first step to meet organizational technology needs Briefly deal with burning issues around terminology, cost, staffing, and buy-in

Seminar Objectives (cont.) Provide an understanding and framework for embarking upon a Technology Planning process Create hands-on discussion and “real world” example of technology planning Jump start a Technology Planning ACTION agenda

What we won’t cover In-depth details of specific technology pros & cons Lengthy discussion about specific technologies or terms Detailed answers to specific organizational challenges

Burning Issues

Burning Issues Confronting Techno-Babble

Burning Issues Confronting Techno-Babble Training and Expertise

Burning Issues Confronting Techno-Babble Training and Expertise Money, Money, Money

Burning Issues Confronting Techno-Babble Training and Expertise Money, Money, Money Organizational Buy-in

Burning Issues Confronting Techno-Babble Training and Expertise Money, Money, Money Organizational Buy-in

Why a Technology Plan?

Why a Technology Plan? Obtain funding Use technology more effectively to further mission and better serve your constituency Buy the right equipment Save money Avoid crises Use staff time more effectively Leverage existing resources (i.e. board, staff, volunteers, local business)

What is a Technology Plan?

What is a Technology Plan? Assesses existing resources Defines needs Explores options and opportunities Allows you to implement your management objectives Determines solutions Puts solutions in concrete form

What are the first steps?

What are the first steps? Involve as many people within your organization as possible

What are the first steps? Involve as many people within your organization as possible People who know  needs People who know technology People who know the questions to ask

What are the first steps? Define your needs

What are the first steps? Define your needs How do you track information? What information do you need and who needs access to it? How do you share information? What sorts of reporting mechanisms do you have? Are there inefficient uses of resources? How do you promote and market your organization and its programs? Do you definitely know you need certain hardware or staff skills not currently available to you?

What are the first steps? Assess your resources

What are the first steps? Assess your resources What sort of hardware do you have? What software is installed (or not installed)? Do you have specialized software such as an accounting or database application in place? What is the physical location of all resources? How  many staff do you have and what are their current skills sets? How do they currently use technology, if so how?

What are the first steps? Assess your resources (cont. ) How is your space configured? What are your telephone and electrical resources like? Where are all of your vendor and technical support information located? What sort of onsite support materials (i.e. manuals, how-tos) do you have in place and where are they?

Guest Speaker Mark Jensen KANVIS, Inc. 22 Shattuck Street Lowell, MA  01852 http://www.kanvis.com

Next Steps Survey Facilitated Action Groups Timeline

Helpful Resources TechSoup  - http://www.techsoup.org Provides online technical resources for NPOs such as tech planning, help with consultant criteria, links to information resources and other technical assistance areas. CompuMentor - http://www.compumentor.org    The parent organization to TechSoup.org, CompuMentor has fantastic links to computer resources, software donations, and other technology related information of importance to NPOs

Helpful Resources Webopedia  -  http://www.webopedia.com    Online glossary containing definitions, examples and links to informational resources to help you define and understand all that techno-babble CNET - http://www.cnet.com      Online computer “magazine” information resource.  Links to software downloads (freeware, shareware, and retail). Provides reviews and industry articles in easy consumer language.

Helpful Resources Lowell Community Technology Consortium - http://www.lctc.org      Lowell-based collaboration of  NPOs working to address community technology issues through education, access, and information-sharing.  Mission is to make the most of human, technical, and financial resources available to the Lowell community.