Netroots North West – 18th Feb 12pm – 5pm

The Netroots UK project will be getting together 100 activists and campaigners from across the North West and beyond, for an afternoon of shared learning, ideas and debates.

Netroots UK events are a space for left and centre-left activists and campaigners to build skills and contacts, both individually and collectively as a movement.

It’s a great chance to get practical training in campaign skills or digital technologies, as well as to take part in discussions on campaign strategies, and hear about upcoming developments and challenges for activists.

You can book online now to reserve your place. The afternoon takes place at Manchester University, 12 noon to 5pm. Tickets (strictly limited) are £5, or free to unwaged/student participants.

If you’re a trade unionist, anti-cuts campaigner, environmentalist, political supporter, equality activist, tax campaigner, or anyone interested in left and centre left politics and issues, join us and others at Netroots North West to learn … Continue Reading

*New* Web Services Survey – 20th Jan 2012

The Office for Civil Society (OCS) in the Cabinet Office and the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) are running a joint survey to seek views on how the web is used by civil society organisations to access advice and support, funding information and networking opportunities. BIG and OCS have decided to do this short piece of learning work together because we have a shared interest in hearing the views of both suppliers and users. We want to know how online services help organisations build learning, and develop skills and capabilities. This survey will help us build on the findings of the Supporting Civil Society consultation which OCS ran from October 2010-January 2011.

Here are some questions and answers  which you might find helpful. The survey should take no more than fifteen minutes to complete and will close on Friday 20 January 2012. We are very grateful for the time you spend in completing this.

Guide to the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has gathered its guidance on electronic privacy laws in one place, and incorporates regulation amendments made in May. ‘Guide to the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations’ can be read on the web or as a pdf (561KB). Of particular relevance to marketing bods as well as web/IT managers.

Visit Out-law.com for more info.

Creating Effective Email Newsletters – 20th October

Duration: 13.00 – 16:00 (Half Day)

Dates: 20th Oct 2011

For: Anyone (including staff, volunteers, and committee members) responsible for organisational promotion. Training will be suitable for those wishing to know more about email newsletters and how it might be developed within their organisation.

Learning outcomes:
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Understand and appreciate the importance of email newsletters for promoting VCS organisations and projects.
- Identify the potential for email newsletters within their own work
- List what features contribute to the creation of a email newsletter
- Monitor how well email newsletters are working for their organisation
- Make an informed decision as to whether email marketing is a suitable approach for their organisation

Content:

1. Considerations such as what makes a good and bad email newsletter
2. Optimisation techniques to increase open and click rates
3. Website analytics to help you monitor who is viewing and which type of content is popular
4. An introduction to email marketing including how to set up email newsletters and what makes a good campaign

… Continue Reading

BT Community Connections scheme: Awards for IT projects

The BT Community Connections scheme has opened for a second 2011 round.
The awards scheme is intended to provide voluntary groups and charitable organisations working to benefit the community in the UK with IT equipment and internet access. Successful applicants to the programme will receive a laptop and a year’s free broadband internet connection.
In particular, the scheme is keen to target areas of deprivation which normally receive little or no funding and would otherwise have no IT provision.
The deadline for applications is 15th September 2011 and winners will be notified by 12th November 2011.
Further details from: www.btcommunityconnections.com.

Cancelled : Promoting Your Organisation Using Digital Media

This course has been cancelled. Please contact us if you would like to go on the next one.       hello@gioproject.org.uk

Duration: 13.00 – 16:00 (Half Day)

Dates: Tuesday 26th July 2011

For: Anyone (including staff, volunteers, and committee members) responsible for organisational promotion. Training will be suitable for those wishing to know more about digital media and how it might be developed within their organisation.

Learning outcomes:
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Understand and appreciate the importance of digital media for promoting VCS organisations and projects.
- Identify the potential for digital media within their own work
- List what features contribute to the creation of a good website
- Monitor how well digital media is working for their organisation
- Make an informed decision as to whether email marketing is a suitable approach for their organisation

Content:
1. Website considerations such as what makes a good and bad site
2. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) techniques to make sure your website features high on search engines
3. Website analytics to help you monitor who is viewing and which type of content is popular
4. An introduction to email marketing including how to set up email newsletters and what makes a good campaign

Venue:
Cornbrook Enterprise Centre, 70 Quenby Street, Manchester, M15 4HW

Cost:
VCS organisations in the City of … Continue Reading

Manchester Net Tuesday with Charity Technology Trust

@mcrn2 & @Charity_Tech event: insights for non-profits to better work with technology to engage, communicate &  fundraise. Meet others too!

In a few more characters:

Manchester Net Tuesday, the monthly event to connect social change makers with technology, are delighted to welcome the Charity Technology Trust (CTT) to Manchester for our June event.

When: 28th June 2011

CTT was founded in 2001 and aims to bridge the gap between charities, non-profits and the technology sector to help organisations improve their effectiveness.  They provide support and services to over 9,000 charities across the UK, which include:

• CTXchange: a technology donation programme in cooperation with companies such as Microsoft, Symantec and Cisco
• CTPayments: a payments processing solution for finance and fundraising
• CTComms: which offers a managed email marketing service, including training and support

In their tenth year, CTT are keen to engage new and … Continue Reading

Gio Editions – Media & Communiction

Lot’s of practical advice on how to start using social media technology, creating email newsletters and basic website considerations. Click to open or download.

Refurbished PCs at bargain prices for charities

Oasis is offering refurbished HP desktops for £99 including VAT and delivery. The specification is 80Gb hard drive, 1Gb RAM, Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Office 2007 Basic and includes monitor, keyboard and mouse. If you want to go open source, then this spec is ideal for the Ubuntu operating system – and will run faster than XP.

Green or Ethical Computing?

Adam Clamp from the Green IT Company enlightens us on the difference between ethical and green computing.

Greener or Ethical Ethical Computing

[from Lasa Computer News 159]