Introductory Technology

Moving Your Website to the Next Level with Plone - An Open Source CMS

With so many open source CMS to choose from, how can you find one that meets
the needs of your organization? This workshop will explore the features and
functionality of Plone, a popular open source content management system. We
will also compare it to other CMS such as Mambo, Drupal and PostNuke.





Presenter: Nate Aune, Jazkarta.com
Notes by: Alison
A Plone Boot Camp will be offered later this year. Contact Nate for more information.

Attendees wanted to cover - templates, scalable,

What is plone?

  • open source content management system
  • freely downloadable with GPL license
  • international development community
Submitted by Alison on April 14, 2005 - 6:38pm.

Using a Blog to Get Your Group's Message Out

Aldon Hynes, Blogger.

Blogs produce high quality websites that quickly get a message out for a small campaign or not-for-profit. This workshow shows how groups with little technological experience can easily start blogging and address the issues that they will need to face.

Submitted by Aldon Hynes on April 14, 2005 - 6:29pm.

Ask the Experts: Bring Your Group's Technology Issues to the Specialists

After a brief introduction by all of the “specialists”, you will be able to meet in one
of seven different small groups. Each group will focus on a different aspect of
using technology. Limit: 28 people. The following specialists will be present:
• Developing a strategy to engage your constituency – Martin Kearns, Green Media
Toolshed
• Using the Internet as a PR tool? Sue Dorfman, Media Consultant
• Basic Computer care and feeding – Adam Frost, Computer Care Consultant
• Databases for Fundraising – Steve Backman, Database Design Associates
• Setting up a content management system – Randal Divinski, Web and Database

Submitted by Alison on April 14, 2005 - 6:28pm.

Podcasting for Non-Profits

(Chalu Kim, consultant, NY City)

Podcast sounds new but it is quite old. You record your voice or interview
someone, and mix with other audio. The advent of MP3s and RSS feeds enables
decentralized global sharing, thus there are new applications for NGOs. This
workship will introduce podcasting and its impact for humanitarian purposes. The
theme of the workshop is to learn and to explore. We welcome people with
podcast equipment and we can make some podcasts from the workshop.

Submitted by Alison on April 14, 2005 - 6:27pm.

Online Tools to Engage Your Constituents and Obtain Media Coverage: An Introduction

Presenter :Deborah Elizabeth Finn, Cyber-Yenta and Sue Dorfman, WorldViewsMedia

This workshop will present strategies for using online tools to build relationships
with your constituents and with the media. It is designed for organizers and
nonprofit workers with little or no background in information and communication
technology. Deborah Finn will make sense of the myriad of online communications
options available. She will present first-rate free or low-cost resources, and provide
some very practical tips for getting started. Sue Dorfman will cover a number of
specific strategies and tools that can be used for more effective communication

Submitted by Alison on April 14, 2005 - 6:26pm.

Content Management Systems are Chocolate Bars: Making Them Dessert Not Disaster

The who, what, where, when, why, and how of content management systems. We
will cover background information, software packages, downfalls, and strategies
before addressing your individual issues. Dean for America and Democracy for
America will be used as prime examples. Decadent and varied chocolate bars
provided for examples and consumption.



Presenter: Alison
Attendees:

Presentation: [PowerPoint]

Links from Presenter and Attendees

  • Content Management Systems
Submitted by Alison on April 14, 2005 - 6:25pm.

Demonstrations by Grassroots Groups Using Low Cost Technology

Facilitator: Martha Rogers of PACE Child Care Works. Presentations by local
activists and technologists involved in community projects.

• Wireless Technologies For Activists – Tad Hirsch, MIT Media Laboratory
• Using Your Community Tech Center as a Catalyst for Community Change –
Nyvia Colon, Madison Park Development Corporation
• Using A Database With Email For Outreach – Mary Grissom, Union Of
Minority Neighborhoods

Submitted by Alison on April 14, 2005 - 6:18pm.