prepping your program for the pro bono tech volunteer (#12ntcprobono)
DESCRIPTION
Recruiting technology volunteers isn't just the domain of CTOs and system administrators - your organization's program staff should be thinking about pro bono tech needs too. That's because program managers are often able to view tech needs from the perspective of delivering actual services to real people. After all, they are often the ones using the digital tools, the custom Web service, the CRMs, and the mobile apps (and often training service recipients and partners as well). In this panel discussion from 2012 Nonprofit Technology Conference led by VolunteerMatch's Robert Rosenthal (@volmatchRobert), program staff will hear from pro bono volunteering experts, corporate engagement officers, and pro bono team leaders about the trends, tips, and practices required to be a great pro bono partner. Panelists include Ian Rhett (CEO of CivicActions), Ehren Foss (Co-founder and CEO of HelpAttack! and Social Actions nerd), and Eileen Yang (Taproot Foundation). Beyond issues like scope, skill sets, and project collaboration, we'll look at how program staff can help your organization position itself to find and engage great pro bono tech teams. Session Takeaways 1. Learn what techies, agencies and companies often look for in a pro bono partner (and how to rock the engagement from your side) 2. Learn what models and tools are available to help you assess your tech needs for pro bono engagement. 3. Find out about platforms and partners that can help pro bono volunteers and CSR administrators find your organization.TRANSCRIPT
PREPPING YOUR PROGRAM FOR THE PRO BONO TECH VOLUNTEEROrganizer:Robert Rosenthal, VolunteerMatch (@volmatchRobert)
Panelists:Ehren Foss, HelpAttack (@helpattack)Ian Rhett, CivicActions (@ianrhett)Eileen Yang, Taproot Foundation (@taprootfound)
#12NTCProbono
PEOPLESKILLS
BUSINESSPOWER OF PURPOSE
501CsSOLUTIONS
PRO BONO
#12NTCProBono
#12NTCProBono
VOLUNTEERING IS CHANGING
TRADITIONAL VOLUNTEERING
VOLUNTEERING
& CSR
U.S. VOLUNTEERING RATES FLAT SINCE 2005
GROWING % OF VOLUNTEERS NOW COME
FROM CSR PROGRAMS
#12NTCProBono
OUR PLANS TODAY
35 mins• What pro bono is
and isn’t.• Why companies do
it.• Different models of
pro bono• What do program
staff need to know?• DISCUSS!
25 mins
• What do pro bono-ready nonprofits look like?
• Basics of needs assessment
• What do skilled volunteers really hate/love?
• REPORT BACK!
25 mins
• More resources on pro bono
• Q & A
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WHAT HAVE WE MISSED?
• [Your expectations.]
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ABOUT USThe Nonprofit!Robert RosenthalVP, Communications/Marketing, VolunteerMatch
The Pro Bono Volunteer!Ehren FossCo-founder/CEO, HelpAttack!
The Expert!Eileen YangConsultant, Advisory Services, Taproot FoundationTaproot Foundation
The Team Leader!Ian Rhett, @ianrhettCEO, CivicActions
Lights. Camera. Help.
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INCREASE YOUR CAPACITY!
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#12NTCProBono
INCREASE YOUR CAPACITY!
ReachCan volunteers help you serve more beneficiaries?
EfficiencyCan volunteers help you do more with your existing resources?
EffectivenessCan volunteers help you increase the quality of your services or products?
Source: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation/True Impact
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WHAT ARE THE NEEDS OF “PROGRAM” TECH?
• Solutions!• Strategy and planning • Data collection• Systems integration• Service delivery• Accessibility
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THE BUSINESS CASE FOR PRO BONO
Human Resources Reputation Innovation
• Fostered climate of innovation
• New or improved products
• New markets or enhanced penetration
• Improved public relations
• Stronger relationships and network
• Sustained license to operate
• Innovative professional development
• Increased employee satisfaction
• Enhanced recruitment
• More inter-connected workplace
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WHO IS THE PROBONO VOLUNTEER?
• May already by volunteering somewhere (with or without company)
• Skills level may vary: junior to board level
• Wants to give back• May want to try
something new
• Wants to complete projects
• Incented by the company
• May not be available outside of the scope of the project
• Often has to report back to the company
#12NTCProBono
8 MODELS OF PRO BONO
What are the important areas to explore? Where do you want to be in your decision-making? Do you want to talk more strategy? Do you want to be more programmatically strategic/
tactical? If we decide Talent Development is the goal, then let’s use
a slider to demonstrate the implications of what this means…
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WHAT’S YOUR MODEL?
• 5-10 minutes discussion• Think about your program goals• Think about how you already engage volunteers• Where does probono volunteer engagement fit into
the mix?• What does successful probono look like at your
organization
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7 WAYS TO READY
1. Do you have experience working with skilled volunteers already?
2. Does your staff have the time to manage the relationship?
3. Is it the right idea?4. Have you budgeted for hard or soft costs?5. Do you have a strategy for sustaining the project?6. Do you have ways of recognizing your volunteers?7. How will you measure success?
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REPORT BACK
• Who are you?
• What was your project idea?
• What did you originally think?
• Did this change given the 7 Ways?
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HOW TO GET STARTED
• Assess needs• Assess resources and roles• Get management buy in• Consult experts and case studies• Figure out where to recruit pro bono partners
Board or donor contacts? Through your current skilled volunteers? Online services? Intermediary agencies?
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MORE RESOURCES ON PROBONO
RECRUITING & INTERMEDIARIES
• VolunteerMatch.org• TaprootFoundation.org• Sparked.com• Catchafire.org• TheCommunityCorps.org• CommonImpact.org
LEARN MORE
• VolunteerMatch Learning Center (www.volunteermatch.org/nonprofits/learningcenter
• A Billion + Change (www.abillionpluschange.org)
• Corporation for National & Community Service (www.nationalservice.gov)
BLOGS
• EngagingVolunteers.org• Pro Bono Junky’s Blog
(taprootfoundation.org/blog)• Realized Worth
(realizedworth.blogspot.com)• EnergizeInc.com• Jayne Cravens
(coyotecommunications.com)