Case Study: Do Your Homework Before Deciding on a Database

This article I found on Charity Village was an easy to understand look, through case studies, at the intricacies of deciding on a database for your organization.
No surprise, everyone agrees with what we kind of already know from discussions in class: Do the paper planning before you invest a dime.  First decide what is important to your organization, critical needs versus the nice to haves.  Test drive those that interest you: is it easy to navigate, does it capture everything you want in a way that all involved can get what they need to from it, etc. Is it in your budget?  What about withstanding test of time, will your needs outgrow the system and  require expensive replacements before you can manage them?
Sometimes mistakes are made when organizations mistakenly set out to build their own.  Investments of time and money don't produce a database that achieves what you need it to.
One case study looked at a collaboration between several agencies.  Several group meetings determined a need for a relational database system thats cost of training, initial and ongoing support, and upgrades  etc, could be shared among everyone, while still delivering on individual customized needs.
Everyone has an opinion of what the best database is, but the answer really lies in doing your homework, and comparing the options available, then determining if it fully meets your needs. Don't jump in without all the information, talk to others who have experienced this, consider everyone in your organization who will need specific information, take your time and you will be satisfied with the outcome.
Check out the article with short case studies at:

http://www.charityvillage.com/cv/research/rtech64.html

Wordleing (is that a correct verb form for Wordle)?

Wordle. I guess it has it's uses in the Not for Profit sector. If you have a powerful message you want to get across, you could use a wordle almost as a logo of sorts. Plaster it on T shirts, notecards,fridge magnets etc. It would put your message in peoples faces, and maybe generate a little income as a fundraiser.
As I am trying to do here, it can be put in a blog, as well. Especially useful if you are committed to posting regularly, but are short on time or ideas. It would keep your postings consistent, and might appeal to some readers.
Today I decided to use it to express the many emotions I have as I go through this Technology in the Not for Profit learning experience. To that end I have found this part of it to be an effective stress reliever. Have you tried creating Wordles, just to relax or relieve stress? It's a bit like doodling, do people still doodle?

The Boy(s) of Summer

This is a video of Kirill, my 'grandson' from Belarus.  He visits our family each summer; the video was taken at his home in Belarus when he was 10.  While his English language skills are still being developed, his appreciation of North American pop music is undeniable. 

Personal videos, such as this example, tell a story and can be an effective tool for not-for-profit organizations to connect in a real and meaningful way with their stakeholders.

Privacy in a Social World -Just sayin'

Well since beginnnig this course I have gone from really never giving much thought to my privacy in the world, governing myself with only good sense, to think about it on an almost daily basis.  Again last night I watched briefly an article that raised issues in the grocery store, when using electronic devices when you shop. Seems like marketers monitor your shopping habits, and information provided to barage you with information/propoganda about their products.  Same now with Facebook.  I can't say as I like this approach, it strikes me in the same vein as junk mail that comes to my home. On the other hand, if I use common sense when poking around, I can remain relatively unaffected by this practice.
When we apply the same thinking to a not for profit organization, we have enough information available to keep safer from risks.  The more involved and possibly larger a non profit becomes the more resources need to be devoted to minimizing risk to ourselves and our constituents. It makes sense to use what is available to us, either in human resources or technology to safeguard that which we are responsible for.
My concern is that as technology grows, we are beginning to lose our capacity to self monitor.  Revisit all you learned through your life about staying safe, apply it to technology and you reduce risk considerably.
While not actually related to technology and privacy, I would recommend to anyone grappling with the privacy issues to read The Gift Of Fear by Gavin De Becker.  This is an excellent book about protecting ourselves from violence, but it can be applied more broadly to protecting ourselves in general.

Using Technology in the Not for Profit sector

Thinking about my adversity or fear of using technology and is it all necessary?  In the article below a techie speaks about technology being here to stay, and how not for profits need to invest in the people to use it, and train others to use it as well.  When they put it that way, I'm sold and I can't wait to see what it can do for my organization.
http://news.gilbert.org/features/featureReader$3842
Combining this article and the opportunity we had last week to give Raiser's Edge a try, were compelling reasons to utilize the people power, to operate the technology that improves performance of an organization.  Everybody can win.

My Tech Mentor

Article Review - More Than Data

The Paul Lagasse article More Than Data (Advancing Philanthropy Jan/Feb 2011) was a particularly informative read for anyone involved in, or thinking of becoming involved in a Not For Profit organization, especially when considering how to seek constituents and build a donor base.  Lagasse does a good job of promoting nearly and recent grads from a couple of areas for this work.  It should give these folks a comfortable feeling that they are often recruited right out of their programs to work in NFP`s , for data and information gathering that ultimately results in social betterment  by appropriately linking donors and charities.  It was important for the writer to also pay credence to the other important pieces of being a Prospect Researcher; the human side.  It is every bit as important for researchers to consider how and by who their information will be used.  As he states, it is not a good idea for a fundraiser to have too much information available when first meeting a potential donor.  This can ``get the relationship off on the wrong foot``. Having researchers involved or at least at the table in the more sensitive planning of relationship development , as well as the data searching , will enhance the experience for everyone.  The importance of working as part of the same team, and reporting  to the same body will create opportunities to accentuate the strengths and resolve any weaknesses along the way.  In this, there are better opportunities for successful engagement with donors, and a recognition that NFP`s need to build long term relationships with donors.

Read other articles by Paul Lagasse at www.avwrites.com

Also interesting in the article is the condsideration of Canadian vs US privacy rules.  I appreciate the example of `the golden rule`principle.  As a student with an interest in charity work and a donor,  it was heartening to hear `do unto others...`applying to the collection and distribution of my private information.