Using ICT Volunteers

Using ICT VolunteersWorking strategically with ICT professionals volunteering in the community and voluntary sector

West London Network Conference

9 July 2007

John Davies

Value of Volunteering 29 March 2006 2

Introductions

• John Davies

• iT4Communities

• ICT Hub

• Participants – volunteers, managers? What would you like to get from this short session?


iT4Communities

• Employ IT professionals who have worked in VCS to help ‘define projects’

• Encourage IT professionals to volunteer in the VCS & only work with skilled IT workers

• Have delivered £2m in value of volunteering projects since 2002 across 1,000s of projects

• Approx. 20 volunteer projects per month start • Provide advice and information

www.it4communities.org.uk


ICT issues in the VCS (& Volunteers)

• Money/funding • Need for impartial advice • Delivered at real low cost • Strategic projects and expenditure • Management and user level involvement • Understanding the issues • Training & support


What do you need help with – what can volunteers do?

• Volunteers work best for you if:• A project has a clear aim and clear end• They are experienced and bring well

developed skills• You can give the time they need to ask

questions and ensure they understand the aims of the organisation


VCS and Volunteers

• Have good policies and processes

• Lots of experience of working with volunteers

• So why are ICT volunteers different?

• Are they different?


Minimising riskWhat tends to go wrong?

• Volunteers enthusiastic but unskilled

• A friend of a friend

• Time commitments of Volunteers

• Unsuitable solution

• Inappropriate implementation

• Culture/communication complications

• They leave and the knowledge leaves


Costs associated with ICT Volunteers and ICT Projects

• Staff Time

• Management

• Training

• Sustainability

• Associated costs (e.g. hardware & web hosting)


How to be Successful

• Choose the right project & define it

• Choose the right volunteer

• Plan & place strategically

• Set your goal

• Use other support

• Use iT4C and others...


The Right Project

• Not mission critical

• Not in a hurry

• Not without the support of the organisation’s board/other staff

• Well planned – know your aims

• Well managed

• Well supported


Some example ICT Volunteer Opportunities


A Quick Website

• “We need a simple website explaining the services that we will be offering, which needs to be ready for our project launch next month.”


New Network, new staff

• “I am responsible for the IT in our 10 person organisation. At present we have a mix of stand alone and peer to peer machines. We have just had a new server donated and I was about to install a network, but I have been offered another job and I’m moving on. We really do need the upgrade to a server-client network – it’s a fairly simple job and as my post won’t be filled for several months I’d like a volunteer to do the installation.”


Advice & Guidance

• “We have just raised some funding for a systems upgrade. We need someone to help us with the tendering process, and the selection of a supplier.”


Added Volunteer Value

• Can you use your Volunteer creatively • use a project manager volunteer• get a volunteer to write a website brief

• Virtual Volunteering

• Work strategically alongside other forms of ICT support


Sources of help

• Information• ICT Hub knowledgebase• Volunteer England (general volunteer info)• iT4C Website

• Volunteers• iT4Communities• Volunteer Centres• Media Trust• Pro Help• Universities and local companies


Any Questions?

John Davies

www.it4communities.org.uk

t: 020 7796 2144 / 07736 798802

e: [email protected]

Documents

Using ICT Volunteers