Information and Technology: Basics

Teaching Computer Users to Surf Safely

Nonprofit Information and Technology Systems

Nonprofit Technology Funding and Support

Nonprofit Key Technology

TEACHING COMPUTER USERS TO SURF SAFELY 

Computer use has brought the wide world into the smallest hamlet, which makes your nonprofit privy to a vast amount of knowledge for free, but also makes it vulnerable to harm from outside by people who don’t have the best interests of your staff or clients at heart. Your best defense is to teach your staff and clients to use the computers in your facility wisely and safely. You can provide a short course in using search engines, composing and responding to e-mail, citing sources for materials used verbatim from Web sites or e-mail, and reporting improprieties. Condense key points into one page that folks can check from time-to-time.

 Tips for Internet Safety and Good Manners

1. Always be polite and use good manners when talking to people online; don’t flame (be mean).

2. Only use the Internet when you have permission and for the established purpose and time limit.

3. Don’t share personal information (your address, telephone number, school name) online or give it in an online profile.

4. People you meet online are strangers, no matter how friendly they appear.

5. When ordering supplies or products online make certain the dealer is reputable (known) and the site is secure.

6. Never meet alone in person with a cyber-friend.
   If you are 18 or under, take your parent(s) with you. If you are over 18, choose a public place (coffee shop, restaurant) where there are lots of other people. Drive there in your own car or take public transportation; don’t rely on the cyber-friend to drive you to and from the meeting. 

7. Don’t violate copyright law by taking words, pictures or sound from someone else’s Web site without permission of the Web site owner. Give credit to the creator of the work. 

8. Don’t respond to any incoming e-mail messages that are strange, mean or upsetting to you. Tell your supervisor, teacher, counselor or parent(s), immediately. 

9. Don’t send pictures of yourself or family to anyone you don’t know. 

10. Stop right away if you see or read something on a Web site that upsets you and tell your supervisor, teacher, counselor, team leader or coach right away.

11. Don’t put words, pictures or sounds on other people’s Web sites without asking for and receiving their permission.

 You can read more about Internet safety in Full Speed Ahead, Managing Technology Risks in the Nonprofit World, published by the Nonprofit Risk Management Center, www.nonprofitrisk.org .

nonprofit information and technology systems

A. Information Systems

1. A nonprofit should have information systems in place that provide timely, accurate, and relevant information. A nonprofit's information system should include data storage and retrieval as well as data entry.
2. A nonprofit should have policies that prescribe how all organizational information is gathered and stored, how accuracy is maintained, how and what information is backed up, and to whom information is made available.
3. A nonprofit should annually review its procedures to ensure that its operations are effective and efficient.
4. A nonprofit should designate responsibility for maintaining the organization's information systems to at least one staff person, volunteer, or board member.
5. A nonprofit should maintain and implement a catastrophic recovery plan to deal with unforeseen events. The plan should include accurate equipment lists for insurance purposes and off-site, back-up copies of key data and information.

B. Technology

1. When feasible, a nonprofit should invest in telecommunications equipment (such as telephones, voice mail, and fax machines) as well as computer hardware and software that enhance its ability to achieve its mission.
2. A nonprofit that chooses to invest in technology equipment should allocate sufficient resources to train its board, employees, and volunteers in its use. The nonprofit should establish goals for the information system's growth and future purchasing. The goals should be flexible enough to guide the nonprofit through a changing environment.
3. A nonprofit should monitor ongoing technological developments that have the potential to impact its information systems or mission.

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nonprofit technology funding and support 

Techsoup has an extensive information on the funding section.  Visit www.techsoup.org/articles.cfm?topicid=10&topic=Funding&cg=content&sg=mainFunding

The Affinity Resources LLC: As a service to the nonprofit community, Affinity Resources maintains a table that lists those application service vendors offering online donation engines. This table, maintained since June of 1999, is limited to donation engine vendors. It contains some basic comparisons between providers, including pricing. A linked article suggests additional criteria the diligent consumer might also explore. The table has recently received its annual update and is available directly through this link: http://www.affinityresources.com/pgs/awz55Online2.shtml

The Affinity Resources LLC also provides technology related information on online funding, capital campaigns, web design, development services and online donation engine providers.  To view the page, visit www.affinityresources.com

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nonprofit key technology

TechSoup the technology place for nonprofits

Optimum Networks Inc. provides tailored information technology solutions for small businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Community TechKnowledge expands the practical utilization of Web-based, cost and time effective data management tools for nonprofit and government agencies in health and human services.

Consistent Computer Bargains lobby and develop substantial savings for nonprofit organization and are the first national reseller to exclusively work with nonprofit.

Empowersoft is dedicated to creating customized software solutions that empower nonprofit to maximize productivity, efficiency, and capacity of the organization for growth with high quality services.

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Other Information and Technology Web Sites

• Consistent Computer Bargains
• Empowersoft
• Optimum Networks
• TechSoup
• communitytech
• ccbnpts
• mapnp
• mcf
• bremer
• smm
• Affinityresources
• nonprofitmatrix.com