In this webinar, learn about the audit process, review the contents of an audit report, and discuss how to use this information to improve your organizational management.
The following are excerpts regarding the types of organizations that are eligible for Microsoft donations through TechSoup. I encourage your organization to go to TechSoup.org and review the many programs that may be available for your non profit.
Microsoft believes technology can do amazing things. That's why they partner with thousands of organizations like yours around the world to help each one achieve its mission. They provide software donations, training, and resources that can help change peoples' lives and transform communities.
The Microsoft Software Donation Program for U.S. nonprofits and public libraries is one of TechSoup's most popular resources. As of June 30, 2011, 103,511 organizations in the United States and U.S. territories had received donations with a fair market value of over US$1,643,000,000.
Microsoft donations are available to nonprofits with a 501(c)(3) designation and to public libraries. Some types of nonprofits are not eligible, such as educational institutions, political organizations, many faith-based organizations, healthcare networks, and nonpublic libraries. Note: There is an Eligibility Check tool to find out whether your organization might be eligible to receive donations from Microsoft.
Microsoft provides nonprofits and libraries with an allotment of product donations that can be requested per two-year cycle. An organization's first donation request after July 27, 2011, marks the beginning of its recurring two-year cycle. Within a two-year cycle, each eligible nonprofit or public library may request:
Products from up to 10 of the Microsoft title groups, with a 50-license maximum for desktop applications and operating systems or license-only title
A maximum of five server products, regardless of title
There is no limit to the number of times an organization can make a Microsoft donation request within the two-year cycle as long as they have not used up their full allotment. After two years, a new cycle begins, and the allotment is reset.
Your organization's cycle will run for two years from this initial start date. It will then be immediately reset and run for another two years, and so on. For example, if an organization's first cycle starts on October 12, 2011, its new cycle will begin at 12:00 a.m. Pacific time on October 12, 2013, at which point the organization has a new allotment.
Hopes this helps! If you need to ask a question that is more immediate, just email David Fowler at executivedirector@computerbanc.info.
Why are you writing about this again…well there is new information and extended deadlines that may have a major impact on your decision to upgrade…Windows 7, does offer a number of benefits. However, it’s important to consider if upgrading makes sense for your organization and how to implement. Decide whether Windows is a good fit for your organization, and here are some tips on how.
First, if you’re running Vista you can run Windows 7. Windows 7 is available in a 32-bit and a 64-bit version. These versions do have different requirements: Check your computer's specifications, go to My Computer on your desktop or on the Start menu, and right-click Properties. You can also use Microsoft’s downloadable Windows Upgrade Advisor.
You should also find out if your programs are compatible with Windows 7. Determine what software you have. Inventory all your computers for all your software programs. Check if your software is compatible with Windows 7. The Windows Upgrade Advisor can help identify potential issues. You should also check your vendors' websites to make sure your programs run on Windows 7.
Windows 7 has a number of widely praised user interface enhancements, including better search functionality and more intuitive navigation. More importantly, it also includes many “under the hood” improvements: improved program compatibility, more flexible security options, simplified networking, backup and restore features that are vastly improved over XP's, new power-management features, easier IT support.
Once you decide to make the leap to Windows 7, you have two options for implementing it: an in-place upgrade or a custom install. Note that an in-place upgrade is only available for current Vista users; XP users will need to perform a custom install.
Support for Windows XPdoes not retire until 2014. If Windows 7's new features aren’t relevant at the moment, if your users aren’t ready for it, or if you haven’t budgeted for the new hardware or software, Extended Windows XP could be a viable option.
For additional detailed information on this topic along with a number of helpful links go to www.techsoup.org and click on Learning Center.
Hopes this helps! If you need to ask a question that is more immediate, just email David Fowler at executivedirector@computerbanc.info.
Subject: Neighborhood Organizing, Public Spaces, Young people
Presented in: 2011
Children hardly play outside on their own in their neighborhoods. Most parents lament this fact, but feel powerless to change it. This session will give parents and neighborhood activists the tools they need to give children a life of neighborhood play, every day. Learn about six innovative communities in the US that have successfully addressed this problem, and then get a comprehensive set of step-by-step solutions.
Based on his highly acclaimed new book “Kids First: Five Big Ideas for Transforming Children’s Lives and America’s Future,” David Kirp provides participants with practical insights into what’s worked in other locales and the essential roles governments, businesses, nonprofits, parents, citizens, and residents can play in preparing the next generation for life in America.
Is the following something you might say? We’re a small organization who needs to keep better track of its many contacts. Our volunteers, partners, donors, other contacts…We need to file the information in a central place so we can find contact information, types of contacts, run email and mailing lists, etc. Just keep track of what is really going on!
Almost every small organization is looking for an inexpensive way to manage contact data. You’ll need to think through how important this system will be to your organization. Typically spend 0.25 to 0.5 percent of your annual budget on a data management system. There will likely be additional costs for customization, training, updates, and maintenance. Don’t assume that the cheapest are the best for you. Contact data is the soul of most organizations.
How you plan to use the data. The more clearly you can define how you plan to use contact data, the more likely you are to choose a good database for you. Who are you going to track in the database: Donors, volunteers, board members, community partners, vendors, media, and business supporters? Any others?
What do you need to track about each of these constituents? How will you interact with them? What reports and outputs are needed: the information for summaries, mailings, and other lists? If you have plans for growth, consider investing in a more sophisticated database so that you won’t have to go through the process again soon. How will it integrate with other sources, such as other databases, email tools, or information gathered online?
Do you have simple needs that won’t likely expand over a reasonable time? You might be able to use tools you already have in but a new way.Spreadsheets: Shared Excel files might work fine for simple needs. If the spreadsheet needs to be shared or used by people while on the road or at home, consider using a Google Spreadsheet. Contact Management Software: Do you already have a tool that stores contact information, such as Outlook? If so, can it be shared within your office? Database Software: If you have very simple needs and a staff member who is proficient in Access or FileMaker Pro, creating a small and basic database might be a reasonable solution. Inexpensive Packaged Tools
There are many inexpensive packaged tools available to track nonprofit constituents. If you’re looking for more options you can Google Robert Weiner’s list of Inexpensive Donor Databases.
Can’t forget the tech humor story. Especially after discussing database decisions!
Tech Support: "Are you reading an error message to me?"
Customer: "No, I'm reading an error message to you."
