virtual volunteering project FAQs
do i need special software to involve online volunteers?
won't we all have to be on the same kind of
computers and operating systems to work together?
The Virtual Volunteering Project promotes the idea of not limiting virtual volunteering programs to only one type of computer user. Online volunteers use a variety of computers, software and operating systems. Also, online volunteers often have better software and hardware than the not-for-profit or public sector organizations they are assisting. Virtual volunteering activities should not force an organization nor a volunteer to upgrade or change its computers or software.
We have many suggestions and links to resources to help online volunteers and agencies share files and communicate via the Internet, regardless of the kinds of computers or software being used.
However, for some tasks and volunteering opportunities, it is required that the volunteer and the organization be on the same type of computer, operating system or software. For instance:
- if an agency needed someone to build a database for them on a software program they already had in house (FileMaker Pro, Lotus Approach, Microsoft Access, etc.), the volunteer would need to have to have that same software, and be on the same version of this software. In such cases, noting this requirement in a particular volunteer task description when recruiting for the volunteer position will get you candidates who already have the software or hardware your agency uses.
- if an agency wanted a volunteer to moderate or facilitate a private chat room or other online forum that requires a particular software to access. Note, however, that it may be difficult to find a volunteer who already has this program. In this case, you would have to consider providing the software to the volunteer(s) undertaking the task.
- if an organization brings volunteers (mentors, tutors, etc.) together with clients (students, prisoners, etc.) online, you will probably use a special, private web site with numerous safety, archiving and collaborative features that may require all users to use the same type of computer, operating system or software.
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