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Internet, Online Community, Virtual Volunteering, Social Media

Also see articles on "Micro-volunteering"

Articles and book excerpts on this subject

Special: A free copy of the Keyboard Roundtable article that was published in the Oct-Dec 2007 issue of e-Volunteerism: Why Can't We Persuade Our Field to Interact Online?

11 Steps to Success with Social Networking by Katya Andresen & Stacie Mann, Network for Good (2008)
Can Nonprofit Boards Vote by Email? by By Gene Takagi and Emily Nicole Chan in Blue Avocado (2009)
Civic Engagement and the Internet: Online Volunteers, Mary C. Joyce, posting to Internet & Democracy Blog, Nov. 2007 -- note discussion of possible underutilization of willing online volunteers.
Facebook for Volunteers , by Chris Bernard in NTen Change Journal (June 2011), available through IdealWare
Formulating a Web Strategy from The Nonprofit Guide to the Internet
Four Ways Non-Profits Can Use Facebook and Twitter to Recruit New Volunteers, posting on Low Hanging Fruit Communications Blog (2010)
Frictionless Fundraising: How the Internet Can Bring Fundraising Back into Balance by Michael Gilbert
How Charities Can Raise Money With Twitter and Other Social-Networking Tools. Transcript of live discussion in Nov. 2008 held by The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Also see transcript of Social-Media Workshop: How Nonprofit Groups Can Use Online Tools to Build Awareness and Raise Money, from February 2009.
How I Use Twitter, by Jayne Cravens (2011)
How to Handle Online Criticism, by Jayne Cravens (2006)
How to Hide Email Addresses for Action Alerts or Mailing Lists from NetActivism Notes
How to Recruit Volunteers Using Social Media, on The Social Animal site (2011)
Internet discussion groups for volunteers, by Jayne Cravens
Introducing #ThankQThursday - an initiative to recognize volunteers through Twitter, started by i-volunteer in the UK (2010)
NetActivism from NetActivism
"Online Power for Volunteer Action" and "Capacity Building in the Digital Age through Volunteer Involvement," essays written by Susan Ellis for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Conference on Volunteering and ICTs, December 2003
Online Volunteers: Knowledge Managers in Nonprofits, by Ismael Peña-López, The Journal of Information Technology, April 2007.
Reach out with Google Earth Outreach by Jennifer Anthony for TechSoup (2007)
Recognizing Online Volunteers and Using the Internet to Honor ALL Volunteers by Jayne Cravens
Recruiting Computer/Network Consultants (paid or volunteer/pro bono) by Jayne Cravens (rev. 12.2011)
Rewards and Benefits of Online Volunteering: Some Testimonials -- a YouTube video from Macdonald Youth Services, Canada (2007)
The Social Side of the Internet, 2010 report by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project has found that 75% of all American adults are active in some kind of voluntary group or organization and Internet users are more likely than others to be active.
Using Real-Time Communications (VoIP, Chat, Instant Messaging, Etc.) With Volunteers, by Jayne Cravens (2006)
Virtual Volunteering: Current Status and Future Prospects, by Vic Murray and Yvonne Harrison of the University of Victoria, 2002 study about online service in Canada (PDF)
Volunteer Management Mistakes to Avoid, a TechSoup special report for working with IT volunteers
Volunteering On-line: A Digital Opportunity to Participate and Volunteers Donate Time from Home, for Developing Countries - two articles by Jayne Cravens summarizing three years of UNV's online volunteering efforts (2000-2003).
What’s The Best Way To Communicate To Volunteers Using Social Media? 9 options. Orange Leaders Blog posting, 2/22/2011
Why Microvolunteering Is Not Virtual Volunteering, Sparked Blog, December 24, 2010

Free electronic books on this subject

Bridging the Digital Divide - Connecting Volunteers
Short handbook developed for volunteers in Brazilian charities in Sao Paulo providing basic, practical information for making the most of e-mail and the Internet in their service. Available in English and Portugese versions.

Inspiring Volunteers: A Guide to Recruitment and Communications, from MediaTrust and i-volunteer (UK), emphasizing social media (2010, 76 pg.PDF)

The Virtual Volunteering Guidebook (pdf file): How to Apply the Principles of Real-World Volunteer Management to Online Service by Susan J. Ellis and Jayne Cravens. Comprehensive look at how to develop and manage an online volunteer program.

Available in Spanish (la traducción de la Guía de Voluntariado Virtual de Susan Ellis y Jayne Cravens) at:
http://evoluntas.wordpress.com/2006/08/31/guia-de-voluntariado-virtual/

Impact of Information and Communications Technology on Volunteer Management
http://nonprofitscan.imaginecanada.ca/files/kdc-cdc/harrison_report_eng.pdf
Study by Vic Murray and Yvonne Harrison of the University of Victoria, for the Canadian Centre on Philanthropy, 2002 (free PDF).

Volunteering in the Information Society
Report by Manuel Acevedo on worldwide involvement of volunteers in information and communications technology (ICT), especially related to human development. (October 2005)

Working with Technical Volunteers: A Manual for NPOs
TechSoup Global handbook for recruiting, matching and managing technical volunteers, particular for assignments in Web design. The 60-page handbook is available as both a Microsoft Word document and as a PDF. Rev. 2009.

Youth as E-Citizens Report
Report by American University's Center for Social Media (155-pages, 2004) about how an online youth civic culture, largely unnoticed by the general public, has taken root on the Internet and is fostering Generation Y's participation in U.S. politics and community affairs.

Web sites with useful information on this subject

ammado
http://www.ammado.com/
ammado connects nonprofits, socially responsible companies and engaged individuals in an interactive and unique environment, harnessing the power of the Internet to accelerate communication, awareness and fundraising. It started in 2007 and is available in 12 languages.

Care2
http://www.care2.com
A social network site that makes "it easy for everyone to live a healthy, green lifestyle and impact the causes they care about most." Example of a thriving online community (over 10 million members).

CharityHowTo

http://www.charityhowto.com

Provides instant-access video training guides and courses to help nonprofits
to utilize the Internet in easy, and often free, ways to engage their constituency, communicate their mission, and develop relationships that ultimately help to acquire and maintain donors.

Convio Connection
http://www.convio.com/our-research/newsletter/
Sample articles from free bimonthly newsletter for nonprofits on how to attract constituents, drive action, and build loyalty through online relationship management.

Coyote Communications Technology Tip Sheets
http://www.coyotecommunications.com/tech/index.html
Jayne Cravens, the guru of virtual volunteering, has been maintaining this personal Web site since 1996 amd offers a wealth of tips sheets on all sorts of Internet-related subjects for nonprofits in general and volunteer program managers in particular. Always on the cutting-edge of technology, Jayne has provided a wonderfully welcoming and informative podcast, talking about how podcasts can be used by nonprofits, and just how easy it is to do. http://www.coyotecommunications.com/podcasts/jayne_01.mp3.

ePhilanthropy Foundation
www.ephilanthropy.org
Educational organization helping nonprofits to use best Internet practices in online fundraising and communication, and to foster the effective and safe use of the Internet for philanthropic purposes. (Acquired by Network for Good in July 2008)

Handheld Technologies and Volunteering
http://www.unites.org/unites0.htm
Information compiled by the United Nations Information Technology Service (UNITeS) on how PDAs or handheld computer technologies are used around the world in community service/volunteering/advocacy.

NetAction / The Virtual Activist
http://www.netaction.org/
Site dedicated to helping activists use Internet technology. Includes an archive of articles from 1996-2003 and a self-guided training course on "Using the Internet for Outreach and Organizing," available in English and Spanish at: http://www.netaction.org/training/versions.html

NetSquared
http://www.netsquared.org/
An initiative of TechSoup Global, this site wants "to jumpstart the leading edge of online technological change -- and to help nonprofits use that edge to change the world!" Explains the new generation of online tools available that make it easier than ever before to collaborate, share information and mobilize support.

Network for Good – Social Networking Learning Area
http://www.fundraising123.org/social-networking
Articles, updated tips, and case studies on how to use blogs, social networking sites, and other online tools to raise and communicate with supporters.

nfpSynergy
http://www.nfpsynergy.net/reports_presentations/our_free_research/default.aspx
Download excellent free reports on noprofits and technology from this UK consulting and rersearch firm.

Nonprofit Commons Project
http://npsl.wikispaces.com/
Managed by TechSoup Global, this a virtual community of practice for nonprofits to explore the opportunities and benefits of Second Life. You do not have to have an office in the Nonprofit Commons to get involved! This site provides documentation and other helpful information not only for NP Commons tenants, but for any nonprofit that is interested in learning about Second Life.

Online Community Toolkit
http://www.fullcirc.com/community/communitymanual.htm
Although not written for volunteer managers, provides a wide range of materials on fostering "online community." A nice tool for fostering volunteer community.

Online Volunteering (OV)
http://www.onlinevolunteering.org/
A free service provided by the United Nations Volunteers programme that connects development organizations with online volunteers. The site contains many tips about online volunteering, both for volunteers and host organizations.

Publicus.net
http://www.publicus.net/articles.html
A site devoted to "public strategies for the online world," this link takes you an archive of articles about e-citizenship. Also see archive of postings to DoWire.org --"Democracies Online": http://www.publicus.net/dowire.html

Sanchez Elementary School Online Mentoring Program
http://www.coyotecommunications.com/sanchezov/index.html
This resource was developed by Jayne Cravens for Sanchez Elementary School in Austin, Texas through the Charles A. Dana Center at the University of Texas at Austin. This online mentoring program is no longer operational but these Web materials have been preserved to help other schools develop their own online mentoring programs.

SixDegrees.org
http://www.sixdegrees.org/
Any one person is connected to any other person through six or fewer relationships, because it's a small world. SixDegrees.org (founded by Kevin Bacon and Network for Good) is about using this idea to accomplish something good (social networking with a social conscience). Support favorite charities by donating or creating fundraising “badges” — as well as check out the favorite causes of other people, including celebrities.

The Social Animal
http://www.thesocialanimal.com
Practical social media and Web 2.0 advice for animal welfare advocates, but applicable to all and with many volunteer-related tips.

Social Citizens Blog - Glossary 2.0
http://www.socialcitizens.org/blog/what-is-a-blog-anyway
Site utilizing the most innovative online technology for "social citizenship" offers this page defining blogs, wikis, and other tools (includes videos).

Technology Resource Center
http://nationalserviceresources.org/program-financial-and-grant-management/technology
This area of the Corporation for National and Community Service's Resource Center provides articles and tip sheets to help service programs use technology effectively.

TechSoup.org Learning Center
http://techsoup.com/learningcenter/index.cfm
The "technology place for nonprofits" -- an overall great site. The Using the Internet page of the learning center has articles that discuss email, Web 2.0 and social netowrking tools.

Urban Survival Project
http://urbansurvivalproject.googlepages.com/about
The project's goal is to create a virtual volunteering website that is accessed through social networks like Facebook to bolster the support system for inner-city kids by solving the problems of commitment, localization and physicality that act as barriers to volunteering. Centered on a blog.

Virtual Volunteering Project Archive
http://energizeinc.com/art/subj/VVArchiveCon.html
The Service Leader Web site was revised in 2003 and older information--particularly about online mentoring-- was removed. Energize has received permission to archive these pages here.

Virtual Volunteering Resources from Service Leader
http://www.utexas.edu/lbj/rgk/serviceleader/virtual/

Volunteerism and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) Library
http://wwv.icvolunteers.org/index.php?what=library
Extensive collection of original papers written for the for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Conference on Volunteering and ICTs, December 2003.

VoVici
http://www.vovici.com/resources/survey-best-practices.aspx
A variety of articles on how to conduct online surveys and gain more participation from respondents.