Downing Street beckons

So the Prime Minister has invited me to Downing Street today (Monday). Maybe it sounds better if I say ‘summoned’, or perhaps it should be ‘bizarrely’? Whatever it is I will be there because Martha Lane Fox is launching a ‘Manifesto for a Networked Nation’. She’s the Government’s Digital Champion,  responsible for all things relating to Digital Inclusion and has a campaign to get everyone online called Race Online 2012. See details at www.raceonline2012.org.uk

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IT Volunteers on the Isle of Wight

The Volunteer Centre on the Isle of Wight has been developing its work with IT volunteers. Since the start of 2009 five new volunteers have helped with ten new projects, with projects that include websites, databases and specialist software. Whilst many of the volunteers have been recruited from the Island one project has been successfully delivered by a website expert living in London.

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Ten ways to protect yourself on Facebook

Facebook is used extensively in a variety of community activities, whether working with young people, older people or all ages in between. Although community workers may be Facebook users themselves many are concerned about privacy issues or worry about the impact of embarrassing photographs or videos or stories. The consequences may range from losing face to being bullied or traced by family or friends that you try to avoid.

Here are ten ways to protect yourself on Facebook, taken from an excellent article on AllFacebook, which describes itself as an Unofficial Facebook Resource.

Avoid embarrassing facebook moments

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Capacity Builders, collaboration and national support services

How can Capacity Builders make sure it’s big vision is successfully delivered through its network of services and funded projects? Perhaps the answer lies in one of the programmes it has funded?

NCVO’s excellent Collaborative Working conference on Wednesday included a presentation by Nigel Newton Sawyerr of bassac who is leading Collaboration Benefits, a three-year Capacity Builders funded programme to encourage the voluntary and community sector to use collaborative working as a way of reducing costs, improving service delivery and adding value to all organisations involved. I think this work presents an opportunity to share best practise amongst the key players leading the delivery of national programmes for Capacity Builders.

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Recruiting IT Volunteers

I’m working with Helen Snashell and Nigel Parrish at Isle of Wight Rural Community Council to help them recruit more volunteers with IT skills. I had a great meeting with them yesterday to plan a campaign for the new year, supported by Anne Stafford from IT4Communities, which has access to a UK-wide network of thousands of IT professionals looking for volunteering opportunities.

The link between local and national resources can be a very powerful one and I hope this work on the Island can build a mutually-beneficial model that can be replicated elsewhere, to support both local delivery and the excellent work of specialist national agencies such as IT4C.

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Workshop for development workers

Don’t forget I can come and run a session for development workers. I call it something like ‘How to answer the questions groups ask you about ICT’ and it looks at signposting, budgeting for IT, common problems and typical solutions. It’s not techie – I compare it to understanding financial needs without being a trained accountant. Let me know if that sounds interesting – half day or whole day versions are available, ideally for 6 to 8 people who offer some kind of support to front line orgs.

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