Getting organisations connected is a lot more complicated than connecting one computer and an individual. Computers within an office may not be linked, there may be a mix of equipment, some people working from home or other locations. In addition, staff must be trained and some people will take to the technology with greater enthusiasm than others. The new, informal communication fostered by email may threaten hierarchies in an organisation and allow people outside far greater access to a range of staff. Then there may be the question of getting trustees and management committees connected too... We'll be tackling some of these issues in this section. Here's a start. There's also more at: http://www.ngflscotland.gov.uk/communities/gettcon/org/ including a details set of questions and answers. From the UK Networks Online http://www.networksonline.org.uk Networks Online provides systems and support for UK non-profit organisations, including the Community Action Network. CAN is unique in getting all its social entrepreneur members online. Sussex Community Internet Project http://scip.org.uk/ SCIP works in Brighton and Hove and Sussex with small groups and nonprofit organisations and is developing a range of training and support materials tailored to their need, and links to useful sites. Resources for the Voluntary sector http://www.volresource.org.uk This site provision an extensive range of links, including some on the use of technology in nonprofits. Innovation through IT (or is IT people after all?) http://www.partnerships.org.uk/pres/trustees/ This is a Powerpoint presentation made to the National Council for Voluntary organisation about how non-profits may use IT. Think before you connect http://www.partnerships.org.uk/articles/brief1.html Consultant Paul Ticher provides a checklist of issues for organisations to consider. Communities Online http://www.communities.org.uk/ Communities Online promotes exchange of experience between those working in local online and nonprofit organisations. There's news and resources on the site. Their Networksection provides instructions on how to join the useful conet discussion list. From the US, Terry Grunwald offers some pointers to useful sites and material Helping.org for Nonprofits http://www.helping.org/nonprofit/ This portal site for nonprofits in the US is a one-stop shop for helping organizations find online "gems" on a host of net-related topics - from fundraising to volunteers; from research to working the web. One NorthWest http://www.onenw.org/ This site which was developed to help Environment groups in the Northwest region of the U.S. is a premier reference site for nonprofit computer issues. Their information is targeted to the needs of small to medium organizations, it is regularly updated, and reliable. Be sure to check out their hardware and software recommendations and articles on how to back up your data and protect your computers from viruses -- but all their material is top flight. Their comprehensive Tech Assessmen Survey can be downloaded and is great starting point for developing your organization's technology plan. CompuMentor http://www.compumentor.org/cm/resources/npo/ This site is a good complement to the One Northwest web site. It has strong "how-to" information - all tailored to the needs of nonprofits - on topics such as database design, planning and administering networks, hardware recycling, and especially how to structure volunteer projects. They have been around since 1987 and are the largest nonprofit volunteer program in the US. Welcome to the Internet http://www.ncexchange.org/toolbox/rural/ This is a Powerpoint presentation which has been downloaded, customized, and used successfully by many different groups - including a few in Australia. Part One is a good, but very basic Internet intro for"newbie" staff members of nonprofit groups. Part Two takes an innovative approach and breaks down Internet benefits by staff function within an organization. It demonstrates very concrete, but compelling reasons to network for everyone in a nonprofit organization - from the Executive Director to the administrative staff. Guidelines for organisations These 10 guidelines provide practical tips on how-to get organizations "over the tech hump" on issues ranging from decision maker "buy-in" to changing the organizational culture. "How You Doing? " Survey This is a tool for umbrella organizations who will need to follow-up with their affiliate groups after they go online. This survey provides questions to ask - to determine if and how they are actually using it. Ten Guidelines in Planning a Web site Planning a web site? Here are some guidelines to help you navigate the maze of possibilities. Places to look for Volunteers and Technology Resources Looking in the same old places ( schools, libraries, community centers) for tech resources in your community? Here is a checklist of places to look -- including some you may not have thought of such as fire departments and military outposts. how to / connecting organisations