how charities can embrace technology
DESCRIPTION
The missions of charities are as wide ranging as the number of issues that different societies face across the world, however any cause can benefit from embracing the advances in technology that are taking place all around us.TRANSCRIPT
How Charities Can Embrace Technology© STUART MITCHELL 2013
Introduction
Charities face issues as wide ranging as those faced by all societies across the world
Any cause, however, can benefit from embracing advances in technology. For example: communicating causes to the general public
increasing funding and volunteer recruitment
carrying out work to help the disadvantaged
Technology can help charities become more: efficient
effective
dynamic
Publicity and Fundraising: The Internet Pt1
Big challenges facing charities are: publicising their causes and the work that they do
raising the funding that they fundamentally rely upon
The internet allows charities to: inform the general public and potential donors what they do and why
obtain their funding or services directly from their donors
recruit volunteers through social networks
It’s never been easier to create a web presence through: standalone web sites
incorporating engaging rich content including videos, games, blogs and infographics
social networking sites
Charities can integrate off-the-shelf e-commerce systems, such as PayPal or WorldPay, to receive donations
operate online charity shops
Publicity and Fundraising: The Internet Pt2
A simple web site or blog can be created by a computer literate charity worker
However, digital development or web design agencies can provide a rich online presence
Some agencies will specialise in working with charities using flexible ‘agile’ practices
possibly offering special concessions (e.g., discounts, free resource etc)
It is important for each charity to: find the right agency for them
form a strong relationship with the agency to achieve best results
Publicity and Fundraising: Social Networking Pt1
There has been a boom in social networking such as Facebook or Twitter
Social Networks give charities a way to: reach the communities that form on these networks
communicate directly with them
The premise of sharing means that: a charity’s message can be easily shared and recommended
across the communities (and sometimes the general public too)
the message can spread in a way and at a speed previously not possible
…if they can engage effectively with users of these sites
Publicity and Fundraising: Social Networking Pt2
A charity’s reach can be greatest when it combines its own website channel with social media channels to:
promote information and updates from their own website through social media
organise fundraising events participants can buy into the cause and actively share it with their communities to
raise awareness, sponsorship and encourage other participants to volunteer
Blogs/social media updates integrated with online donation facilities can provide running feedback on:
the success of fundraising activities
the effectiveness of the work that is being carried out with those funds
Donors are able to see exactly where and how their money is being used increasing motivation to provide further funding
Publicity and Fundraising: Mobile Internet/Apps Pt1
The twin benefits of mobile technology: Charities can provide updates whilst working ‘in the field’
The public can access information and donate from wherever they are
For example, a charity worker providing aid in the wake of a natural disaster can: tweet from their mobile device as they are on the scene
record an on-location video diary
…to bring the extent of the crisis to the attention of the public
Can be the only information outlet when operating in difficult scenarios
Publicity and Fundraising: Mobile Internet/Apps Pt2
Mobile donations can be made via: mobile apps
mobile browsers
text messages (with money taken from the mobile bill)
Chance of more donations when the urge/motivation occurs on-the-go no need to wait until back home or at the nearest bank
Chance of greater generosity with money being transferred in a digital ‘virtual’ medium
Working With Tech: Intro Pt1
Aforementioned technologies can have more direct applications can assist the work that charities carry out
Charities can benefit from technologies such as: extensive wide area networks (WAN)
secure communication between fixed remote locations
virtual private networks (VPN)
secure communication between any remote locations
the connectivity of wireless technology and 3G connections
portable smartphones and tablets
Working With Tech: Intro Pt2
…by improving: the speed with which data can be shared
communication between fixed and roaming locations
…to become more responsive
effective
efficient
Charities can take their work to those who need it most
What’s more, technology can be promoted to help the vulnerable become: self sufficient
empowered
integrated into society
Working With Tech: Efficiencies in Health Care Pt1
Healthcare technology often at the forefront of technological advances e.g., scanners and robotic surgical devices
revolutionising the effectiveness of both diagnosis and treatment
can be very costly
inspiration for other areas
Mobile technology can overcome obstacles faced by healthcare workers on location
Working With Tech: Efficiencies in Health Care Pt2
Example of creative use of existing tech: robots on which tablet computers are attached, providing
video conferencing facilities
mobile face to face communication tools
can be used at the patients bedside
allows consultations to occur between patient and doctor even when the two parties are in different hospitals
ensures that the patient receives the most appropriate consultation and in good time
makes the hospital efficient (the cost is not small but is less than employing extra staff)
better use of resources for all its patients
Working With Tech: Mobile Devices in the Field Pt1 Mobile devices can provide a commentary in the field on:
charity work being done
and the conditions being faced by charity workers
Also invaluable in sharing information between charity workers, instantaneously
on the go
The demands of the in-need can be responded to more effectively and expeditiously
Working With Tech: Mobile Devices in the Field Pt2 For example:
International charity workers who are treating patients in the field can communicate symptoms to colleagues based in a central location, using mobile phones, text messaging, instant messaging email and even video, so that the diagnoses and treatments can be determined remotely but then implemented on location, straight away
Alternatively workers can use these mobile technologies to arrange and change logistical planning whilst in the field, to respond dynamically where the need is greatest by communicating and researching the information they need as they go
Working With Tech: Corporate Giving
Charities employing any technology should always: approach the original provider (or any other big business that has
charitable links)
…to see whether there are any cost savings to be had due to their charitable status
Providers may offer concessions and discounts
Some may provide services gratis as part of their corporate giving schemes, e.g.: staff time and expertise
digital services
computing resource (e.g., cloud hosting)
Tools for the Disadvantaged: Intro
Many technologies can be employed by the people themselves who the charities are supporting
They can be used to solve some of the obstacles that they face in their everyday lives
Charities are vital in: increasing the awareness of these technologies and
their benefits
rolling them out to those who will make use of them
Tools for the Disadvantaged: Accessible Tools Pt1
There is a growing awareness in technological circles of the concept of accessibility: making technology usable for those with disabilities
More websites, mobile phones and computers are becoming usable by such groups
These individuals are gaining a rich medium through which to access the world around them
Examples of accessible technologies include: the use of screen readers with compatible websites to provide content to the
visually impaired
large button/display mobile phones
intelligent zoom functions on any type of device
voice activated controls
Tools for the Disadvantaged: Accessible Tools Pt2
Accessible technologies can allow individuals to: communicate with friends and family where they may have
struggled in the past
become more self sufficient (e.g., maintaining jobs or simply doing their own online shopping)
reach the support they need more readily, whether it be:
their carer/charity worker contacts
valuable online support groups and communities which they can use to share and received advice and counsel
Tools for the Disadvantaged: Mobile Tools Pt1
Cutting edge technology can therefore help disadvantaged individuals improve their own quality of life, through: charities finding ways to utilise the technology that the individual
already owns
introducing new solutions that can also be of benefit
Accessible digital technology can be used for: self monitoring
e.g., events, symptoms or medication
either in cloud based calendars or specially built applications
for accessing advice and support on tap (as above)
for interactive, accessible, intuitive and engaging learning and education or for mobility
Tools for the Disadvantaged: Mobile Tools Pt2
In particular the burgeoning smart mobile phone market with its: internet capabilities (using WiFi, 3G and soon 4G)
plethora of apps
built in cameras and video recorders
touch screens
…has delivered a pocket sized solution combining so many of the latest technologies
making them available in an accessible medium and free of location ties
in a format which can therefore be taken to those who most need it wherever they are
More specific examples of how these possibilities have been realised include: mobile apps which use in-built cameras to read QR (quick response) barcodes on packets of
medication to take the user to a web page with all the information and guidelines that they require,
one touch mobile devices which can be used by victims of domestic abuse to alert the authorities when they are being abused and record the event as evidence (e.g., Vodafone’s TecSOS service).
Summary
It has never been more affordable for charities to: make use of such integrated high technology themselves
promote the adoption of that technology amongst individuals in-need
Thanks in part to the mass market adoption of mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets
The market moves forward at such a pace it is just a question of “watch this space” for the possibilities that lie ahead in the next few years
Useful Resources
The Charity Commission
Vodafone’s Mobile for Good Foundation Videos
Web Design Agency Specialising in Not For Profit Sectors
Law Firm Specialising in Charity Law
Cloud Based Hosting Services for Organisations
The Charity Technology Trust for Advice and Services
Charity Technology News from Suppliers and Charities