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Success Stories
Newsletter Article - August 2007
Wouldn’t it be great if everyone was issued the same communication device that they knew automatically how to use? Then, everyone would be able to ‘get the word out’ with one click or call!
And wouldn’t the sharing of information and knowledge be a lot easier if there was a single website where all information was stored and was one that everyone used both to provide as well as find information?
As productive as these ideas might be, however, it is impractical to think that the Internet will implode and become one single site. The reality is that everyone is different and uses different means to communicate and gather information.
So, what can we do to share information and more easily communicate our ideas and concerns? Part of the answer may be to find ways to implement new technology innovations more effectively. The technology already exists that allows you to automatically call your volunteer base from your computer to remind them of an upcoming event. And the technology already exists that allows you to direct your computer to send an email to your computer savvy contacts AND at the same time transmit your written words ORALLY by means of the telephone to call people who are not computer savvy. Similarly, technology also already allows you to distribute your events to multiple websites at the click of a button.
These possibilities already exist. And there are many, many more to consider. So many, however, that the possibilities tend to overwhelm those of us that are not very comfortable about either the language or the use of technology innovations.
Many years ago, a technology expert was asked in an interview when computers would replace workers and what would then happen to the people displaced. With a look of disbelief, the expert answered that such a concern was irrational. A computer is just a tool. And like any other tool, they hold the potential to make some tasks easier to complete and to thereby help people become more efficient. But just as a hoe doesn't weed a garden or a stove actually prepare a meal, computer technology is productive only when understood and easily incorporated or applied by the person working.
Cape Cod Center for Sustainability retained some technology advisors a couple of years ago to help itself better understand how to use technology. And part of this effort involved partnering with other local nonprofit as well as business organizations by providing them outside technical support that could help them understand technology applications that are already available and also not that complicated to use. Here are a couple of the reactions that were expressed in reply:
“I do have to say - we had a HUGE turnout at the door. The event (Furry Affair Auction) was the largest auction turnout we have ever had - so that is really exciting. I am sure you guys sending out the event announcement to 2600 people really helped get the word out!” – Nicole Corson of Wag This Way
“When the usual announcement channels produced few results, we turned to Snap2Help. They posted and distributed the event on the web and sent an e-announcement through SustainCapeCod.org. The resulting turnout was outstanding! Forty children and their parents showed up at NMLC for the casting call. Thanks to Snap2Help, we reached a wider audience than we otherwise could have and we definitely plan to continue using this wonderful resource to publicize our events and volunteer needs!” – Kathy Zagzebski, National Marine Life Center
The point is not that technology works all the time for everybody. It's no different than the hoe in the garden after all. But the purpose of mentioning some of the positive outcomes that can occur is simply to highlight that with some interest and desire to understand, computer technology is a tool that can yield good results.
We are particularly interested in its possibilities in the realm of marketing and communications. We're interested to share resources as well as constructive ideas in ways that serve the Cape community. We're interested in the idea that the effective use of technology can help to expand our capacity and extend our boundaries.
