Seasoned field organizers with both electoral and community organizing experience will discuss best practices for getting the most out of a database -- Tips and Tricks for converting that armchair activist into a volunteer and donor. Because it great to have a database, but its even better when your database is working for you to make your job easier.

Like many nonprofit donor/member databases, Organizers Database (ODB) is a desktop application. But increasingly, nonprofits are depending on online tools like Constant Contact, CiviCRM, Google Calendar, Yahoo Groups, and DemocracyInAction to manage constituent, donor, scheduling, and volunteer data. Some nonprofit functions now practically require an online presence.

Some groups have addressed the challenge of integrating offline and online systems by moving everything to the web. But this approach is unacceptable to many groups who want to keep their precious donor data in-house where it does not depend upon the viability or constant availability of a third party service.

Do you want to help your organization take donations online, but
aren't sure how? This session will tell you what you need to know in order to choose a tool and get started. We'll touch on some of the strategic aspects of online donations, but our focus will be on the tactical: What online donation tools are available? How do they work? How do you know which one is right for your organization? We'll close by looking more closely at a specific, recommended set of online donation tools that might work for you.