Making infrastructure organisations more resilient through better use of technology - Taunton

Are you a development worker looking to advise groups on ways they can maximise the funds they have available for technology?

Are you a manager or trustee who would like to plan better use of technology to save money and make your organisation more efficient?

Do you look after the technology in your organisation, but need extra support to make it work better and fresh ideas to save money?

In the current economic climate all support providers face increased pressure on their ability to deliver services to groups and are seeing internal resources and systems stretched.

A cut in funding or increase in service demand can sometimes mean that investment in computer systems, training or support can take second place.

What are the workshops 

They will help you identify the key technology areas and vulnerabilities in your organisation.

We will give sensible and practical advice so you have the skills and ability to adapt as necessary the way technology is used by your organisation and by the groups you support and to be more resilient to face future demands on their services.

The workshops are split into three tracks, for development workers, for trustees or managers and for operational IT staff or accidental techies. They will help your organisation be more resilient, making the reduced funding you have work smarter and show sensible ways of reducing costs. There will also be two masterclass sessions showing how 'new media' and video conferencing can cut your costs.  

Who are these workshops for?

They are open to all staff in any infrastructure support organisation but will be most relevant for trustees, operations managers, project managers, development workers, small groups advisors, office managers and ICT support workers.

What is the cost?

There is NO CHARGE to attend (however we reserve the right to charge a £25 fee for non-attendance)

The workshops will be backed up by a range of on-line and printed materials, resource guides and USB memory sticks - all freely available to help you access the support you need and be in control of technology. 

If cost of travel to the workshop could cause hardship for your organisation there are travel bursaries available – please contact paul.webster@navca.org.uk for more details.

You will also recieve a free subscription to the forthcoming Regional Champions ICT FAQ Cards.

To book, pleae click the 'Register Now' link at the top of the Eventbrite* page. You can also complete the booking form on the NAVCA website (www.navca.org.uk) or call 0114 289 3964.

(* = 'Eventbrite' is an example of a free Internet resource that you can use to manage bookings for events and courses; one of the resources we will cover in the workshops)

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Workshop Details

The day is split into three parallel ‘tracks’ each focusing on a different role within your organisation (you will need to select the workshop most appropriate to your job role).

for development workers in local infrastructure support organisations

• This interactive track focuses on sharing experiences and generating ideas that will help development workers involved in supporting small groups to build their resilience.
• We will show how mentoring and transferring technology skills and knowledge to development workers can help them offer support to frontline voluntary and community organisations.
• Signposting will be given to local organisations that can give further support.
• Reasons why a computer is important and how groups should budget for its use.
• Free and low cost alternatives to commonly used software will be explored.

for managers, leaders and trustees of local infrastructure support organisationsT

• this track will show how to build organisational resilience through strong forward planning and taking control of their strategic planning and applying it to technology.
• Building in total cost of ownership and how to cost and budget for technology purchases, joint purchasing with similar organisations and making their money go as far as possible.
• That processes have been thought out and the right policies, procedures and plans are in place.
• How some ‘cutting edge technology’ can help your organisation be more effective in its reach    

For those supporting or looking after technology of support organisations

• For the ‘accidental techie’ or person in the organisation who has the role of looking after the technology, this track will offer inspiration and practical hands-on advice in making sure systems are fit for purpose including how to carry-out an ICT health-check.
• One to one ‘surgery’ sessions providing real support advice for participant’s specific questions.
• This will cover ways to reduce costs though use of free and open source software, social media and ways to reduce travel through shared systems and new communications technology.  

There will also be a master-class for all delegates which will bridge the learning in the morning sessions into the practical applications in the afternoon sessions. The master-class will cover:

• Social Networking and how Third Sector organisations need to make more use of these free systems in fundrasing, increasing awareness and promoting their organisation and projects. How do we make sure the  newest communications systems are benefitting our organisations?