Resources for Non-Profit Technical Volunteer Programs

Note that this Resources page relates to the Technical Volunteer Web project, which is now completed. The project took place from early 2001 to 2002.

There are a huge number of websites offering comprehensive information on technology, non-profit management, and volunteerism. The intention of this page is to bring together links to resources that combine to offer information, resources, planning and management tips for non-profits working with technical volunteers to achieve their goals.

General Resources for Non-Profits Online

• Vancouver CommunityNet - Services for Groups - VCN's free Internet services, training, mailing lists, domain name hosting, database services.
• TechSoup - a great resource site for non-profits and their Technical Volunteers.
• Jayne Craven's Coyote Communications - technology tips and an extensive list of discussion groups and mailing lists for non-profits.
• WebBoard - this free CAP community resource has been established to provide CAP managers, volunteers, employees and champions to network and foster communication amongst themselves.
• Voluntary Sector Initiative - the VSI is a joint initiative to strengthen the capacity of the voluntary sector and to enhance the relationship between the Sector and the Government of Canada.
• Helping.org - provides comprehensive online resources and tools to help nonprofits integrate the power of the Internet into their strategic planning and to organize, recruit, fundraise and publicize their mission and successes online.
• Benton Foundation Best Practices Page - helps nonprofits make effective use of communications technologies to advance their organizational and program missions by documenting, analyzing and evaluating nonprofit uses of communications tools and enabling networking and problem solving among peers.
• Npower's - helping non-profits use technology through resources, links, training, volunteer matching (Puget Sound).
• NTEN: The Nonprofit Technology EnterpriseNetwork - dedicated to connecting and supporting individuals and organizations who empower non-profits to use technology to achieve their missions.
• The Progressive Technology Project (PTP) - seeks to strengthen community based social change efforts and increase public participation by under-represented communities by exploring and supporting the effective use of information technology.
• Wired for Good - a program of the Center for Excellence in Nonprofits, helps Silicon Valley nonprofits use technology strategically to improve organizational effectiveness.
• Internet Non-Profit Center - information for and about non-profit organizations.

Finding and Working with Technical Volunteers

Volunteer Centres in the Lower Mainland

• Community Volunteer Connections
• Deltassist Family and Community Services
• North Shore Community Services
• Richmond Connections Information and Volunteer Society
• Sunshine Coast Volunteer and Information Centre
• Surrey Community Volunteer Services
• Volunteer BC
• Volunteer Burnaby
• Volunteer Vancouver

Public Post-Secondary Technical Programs and Placement Programs

• British Columbia Institute of Technology
• Capilano College Computer Specialist Program
• Douglas College Faculty of Science and Technology
• Kwantlen University College Computer Information Systems and Computer Systems
• Langara Community College Computer Information Systems Program
• Open Learning Agency Information Technology Program
• Simon Fraser University Career Services
• Simon Fraser University Faculty of Applied Sciences
• Technical University of British Columbia (TechBC) Information Technology Program
• UBC Continuing Education Computer and Technology Programs
• UBC Alma Mater Society (Internship Program)
• UBC Career Services
• University of British Columbia Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• University of British Columbia School of Community & Regional Planning (SCARP) Internship Program
• Vancouver Community College Information Technology Specialist Program
• Vancouver School Board Career Programs

Websites for Volunteer Matching

• Action Without Borders
• CanadaHelps.org 
• Internet Volunteer Initiative
• ONE/Northwest
• Project America
• Volunteer Opportunities Exchange
• Volunteer Solutions
• VolunteerMatch

Volunteer Program Management Resources - Online and Off

• Administrators of Volunteer Resources BC - an association of professionals dedicated to promoting leadership in the administration of volunteer resources and to providing a supportive network for its members.
• Working with volunteers - an online tutorial intended to be used as a self-study guide by coordinators or managers of volunteer programs in B.C. public libraries or other community agencies.
• Volunteers and the Law - the People's Law School guide, downloadable in pdf.
• Charity Village - "Canada's supersite for the nonprofit sector --- 3,000 pages of news, jobs, information and resources for executives, staffers, donors, and volunteers."
• The Virtual Volunteering Project - to encourage and assist in the development and success of volunteer activities that can be completed, in whole or in part, via the Internet
• Energize, Inc. - an international training, consulting and publishing firm specializing in volunteerism.
• CyberVPM.com - provides pages of volunteer program management resources to inform you of valuable networking and training opportunities!
• The Management Assistance Program's Volunteer Management Tutorial - free, on-line nonprofit organization and management development program

Developing Your Organizational Use of the Internet

What is the Internet?

The Internet is a global network of computers and their interconnections; the world's biggest computer network. It's also the millions of people who use these networks and share information around the world. The common factor uniting the Internet is a set of protocols (methods for organizing and transferring blocks of information) that allow data to be shared, in understandable form, by different kinds of computer systems.

The Vancouver Community Network system is connected to the Internet, so users can exchange mail with people worldwide and access global Internet services. The CommunityNet works with non-profits to provide public access to the Internet and to develop openly accessible community content on the World Wide Web.

About the World Wide Web and Accessibility

Before diving in or handing the development of your Internet strategy over to a volunteer, your group may want to take advantage of VCN's Community Groups and the Internet session and other basic training, held every Monday at VCN.

W3C World Wide Web Consortium

Helps develop and maintain protocols so that the Web works seamlessly. Check your web page with their validator to ensure that your page is accessible across browsers and to people with differing abilities.

Bobby

A free service provided by CAST to help Web page authors identify and repair significant barriers to access by individuals with disabilities. For directions on getting Bobby Approval see our Approval page.

Best Viewed With Any Browser

Some useful tips and links that can help to make your site accessible by all browsers, and better in general. This is not meant to be a complete guide to HTML, just a look at web design from an accessibility point of view.

The Web Standards Project

A coalition of web developers and users. Our mission is to stop the fragmentation of the web, by persuading browser makers that standards are in everyone's best interest. Together we can make the web accessible to all.

An Introduction to HTML

One of many resources to be found on VCN's site. Explore more group resources

Troubleshooting Your Internet Software

Technical Volunteers staffing the VCN's help desk will do their best to help with your VCN Internet connection problems by phone (604.257.3811), online, or in-person.

VCN provides your Internet service through a telephone connection to our server. Once you're connected, you're using software of your choice in order to browse the web and use email. If your group is having problems with your Internet browser or email program, our volunteers or online Help Pages may help, but if not, contact the source:

Netscape Support page

Includes installation instructions, technical questions and common problems

 

Opera Support

Find technical help and search the Opera Knowledge Base

 

Eudora Support

Eudora online technical support and step-by-step tutorial

 

Microsoft's Internet Explorer Support Page

View the FAQ's, search the KnowledgeBase, Contact Support or read the IE Newsgroups

 

Outlook

Get help for Outlook 97/98/00/02

 

Learning to Use Computers and the Internet

This list could be endless, so start with a few tutorials and VCN resources, and take advantage of hands-on training sessions and community collaboration opportunities we're offering you and your volunteers through our many communtiy initiatives

Special full-day training sessions for non-profit volunteers and staff. To register, complete the Needs Assessment and Registration form:
 

• Basic Skills
• Advanced Skills
• Train-the-Trainer in User Support Skills
• HTML Skills

• VCN's Training Tools - extensive tutorials and tools developed through the "604 Connect!" (VolNet) Initiative
• The Virtual Activist - learn all about cyber-activism with NetAction's online training course
• The Newbie Club - "At Last, the Mysteries of your PC and the Internet Explained - in Plain English!"
• CSC - tutorials and newsletters are offered in both Microsoft Word and Corel Word Perfect by the Community Services Council Newfoundland and Labrador

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Do you know of a site that should be listed here to help non-profits and their technical volunteers? Email: User Support Coordinator

Last modified September 3, 2002

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