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NCVO - ICT Development Services Newsletter: May 2008

Welcome to the NCVO ICT Development Services newsletter – the Telephony issue.

This month we look at plain speaking and using the telephone, two much neglected elements of ICT

Links…

 

Articles…


The Role of Voice in Communications – it’s good to talk so why not cut out the email and get back to plain speaking? Read article

Telephony in your Voluntary Organisation - how could you use telephony better for you, your colleagues and clients Read article

Learning and support


· Foresight Report: How ICT is Shaping the Future Design and Delivery of Public Services
Drawing on case-studies from high profile organisations and current thinking and debate from ICT experts; the report looks at emerging trends in the ways organisations are run and public services delivered through the innovative use of new technology. It includes the role of digital TV and video to provide remote support; open exchange for partners and stakeholders to collaborate effectively online; greater accessibility to information and the use of call centres and online self-help tools.
order online

· Help with Web 2.0: Tapping into the potential of Web 2.0 can feel quite daunting and overwhelming at first.
The Media Trust have produced a new 'How to ...' guide focusing on the voluntary sector, to share with you some instructions, advice and success stories to get you blogging, podcasting and twittering. Go to www.mediatrust.org/ict-hub-project to download your copy.

· Making Better Use of Telephony – The Telephone Helplines Association have published the Good Telephony Guide, an excellent guide to using telephony in voluntary organisations. Download pdf

· 21 Inspiring Mashups for Social Change - or how to get two sources of data and one piece of technology to help change the world. Don’t worry about the jargon, just check out the difference you can make with a few web tools. Read more

· Knowing what you need to know – Techsoup offer a review of 15 ways to use software to improve your knowledge management. Read more

· Keeping your team connected – How do you keep in touch when people are all over the place. Techsoup have eight ideas to make the difference. Read more

· Building and Engaging Your Online Community – A short series of videos following up from the recent UK Circuit Riders conference to help you progress with online community engagement. Tools, ideas and an opportunity to ask for feedback. Read more

· Ideas for e-campaigning – Advocacy Online have published a guide with ideas and case studies on e-campaigning. Short and punchy and well worth a quick read. Read more

· Vital Information, Greater Impact - Visualising Information for Advocacy: An Introduction to Information Design aims to help you strengthen your campaigns and projects through communicating vital information with greater impact. A hefty download (almost 7MB) is available from http://tacticaltech.org/infodesign

Resources from ICT Knowledgebase


New this month…

A Guide To Microsoft Licensing

guide to Microsoft Licensing options for voluntary and community organisations

Mac OS X Server In Mixed Environments

Macintosh OS X server is a powerful, multifunction server that can work well in environments of mixed Mac and Windows desktops

Working With Voluntary And Community Organisations (VCOs) - Guidance For Telecoms Suppliers

How telecoms suppliers can work more effectively with voluntary and community organisations (VCOs)

The Asus EeePC: The Miracle Mini Laptop

This Article takes a closer look at the much-vaunted Asus EeePC, examining its features, functions and day-to-day usability.

Funding The Costs Of Telephony – Guidance For Commissioners And Funders

Guidance on funding the true costs of telephone systems

See www.ictknowledgebase.org.uk for more articles

Events, awards and training


Opening up opportunities through technology – free one day conference, 10th June 2008

Microsoft UK and NCVO are hosting a FREE one day event combining case studies, workshops and speakers to help you explore the potential of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) for your organisation.

This event will introduce you to ways of developing your ICT, using new technology, enabling your organisation to achieve more. You will also have the opportunity to network and share experiences and find out how other organisations are benefiting from ICT.

A flyer will be available to download soon. Register free at Microsoft events or register by phone - 0870 166 6680 quoting 6750.

Silver Surfing – Silver Surfers' Day is on May 23rd 2008 and it's for everyone in the UK.

For an hour of your time you could change the life of someone over 50 helping them get the hang of digital technology. Why not skip the soaps (or the football) this week and see what difference you could make at http://www.digitalunite.com/ssd/

IoF Technology Group conference – The Institute of Fundraising technology group will hold their annual conference on 14th May, focusing on data, online fundraising and technology management. www.iofitsig.org/conf

Wanted: Ideas which make a difference - The UK Catalyst Awards are looking to recognise everyday heroes who use technology to make a positive impact on the world around them. What do you do with social technology and could others learn from you? More at http://www.ukcatalystawards.com/ - closing date 16th June

Positive impact of new media - The 2008 New Media Awards, highlighting the positive impact of new media technology on public life, are now open. Nominations close on 1st June and all entries can be seen online – check out the competition! Find out more.

Offers


Realise your big IT Project with a team of volunteers: iT4Communities is working with corporate employee volunteering schemes to get more IT professionals to help charities in need. Perhaps you're thinking of creating a web cafe for your community group or maybe you are moving your IT equipment. You could be developing a database to link in with your website or perhaps researching how to set up social networking. Whatever your project, if a team could assist then iT4C can help make it happen.

Please talk to one of the team on 020 7796 2144, email info@it4communities.org.uk or simply request a volunteer on our website.

Discounted Products and Services

NCVO has negotiated a range of discounts and preferential arrangements on a wide range of key products and services. These include savings on software, hardware and telephony. To find out what discounts are available on IT equipment and how you can benefit, visit the NCVO website

Party Conference Bursary Scheme 2008


The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has launched the Party Conference Bursary scheme for 2008, inviting smaller organisations (with incomes of less than £500,000) to submit applications to attend one of the three main Political Party Conferences in September 2008.

Successful organisations will receive a week pass to the Labour, Conservative or Liberal Democrat Party Conference, 2 nights accommodation and travel to and from the party conference. NCVO parliamentary staff will be on hand to support successful organisations with a programme of meetings, including a roundtable discussion with a Senior MP or Minister.

For more information and an application form contact partyconference@ncvo-vol.org.uk or visit www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/partyconferencebursary Closing date: Friday 30 May

Notice Board


ICT Hub publications available to download or order online www.icthub.org.uk/publications

For a small fee you can advertise in this space.

Contact catherine.morgan@ncvo-vol.org.uk for further information

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