Other Online Handbooks for Volunteers

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Listed below are web sites by other organizations that provide tools and resources volunteers may need in an online assignment. Some are computer/Internet/networking-related resources, but many are not (there is information on these web sites for volunteers tutoring young people, healthcare resources, online volunteers mentoring students, volunteers serving in developing countries, and more).

Community Networking Resources
These are resources, compiled by the United Nations Information Technology Service that relate specifically to setting up and maintaining community networks and community telecenters. Most of these resources are for onsite staff, but the materials can help online volunteers support community network staff via the Internet.

CompuMentor Volunteer's Resource Center
This section of the CompuMentor web site is to support its tech volunteers working with nonprofits and schools, primarily in the greater San Francisco, California Bay Area (USA). Their resources for volunteers are divided up into these sections; much of the information is regional-specific, but much of it would be helpful to any tech volunteer:

— How to Help Someone Use a Computer
—  Structuring Volunteer Projects
—  Volunteering in Nonprofits
—  Volunteers in Schools
—  Intro to Databases
—  Database Development Plan
—  Networking Concepts
—  Planning Networks
—  Installing Networks
—  Administering Networks
—  Using Donated Computers
—  Computer Hardware Recycling
—  Planning a Web site
—  Web Development Resources

Handbook for Online Volunteers - Tools & Resources
By the Virtual Volunteering Project. This web site was developed in large part by online volunteers themselves and organizations that have involved online volunteers. It offers extensive suggestions for using web search engines, doing online research, finding useful shareware and freeware, researching funding resources (grants), preventing computer viruses, learning .html, web design resources, finding news articles on a particular subject, translating documents from one language to another, creating databases, moderating online discussion groups, and many, many other resources and tools to help a volunteer undertake an online assignment successfully.

Healthcare Manager's Electronic Resource Center
For healthcare staff (paid or volunteer) working in international settings, including volunteers. Information is provided in English, Spanish and French. Produced by Management Sciences for Health (MSH). Resources include:

— The Provider's Guide to Quality & Culture
—  The Health Manager's Toolkit
—  The Manager Online
—  Managing Reproductive Health Services with a Gender Perspective
—  Using Electronic Communications in Family Planning
—  A Primer for Accessing and Using Electronic Communications Technology
—  E-Learning for Program Managers through Global Information Resources
—  Managing Human Resources (Assessment and Planning, Performance Improvement, Training)
—  Managing Your Organization's Finances (Financial Sustainability, Financial Management, AFS Project Documents)
—  Managing Information (Use of Data, Monitoring and Evaluation)
—  Keeping Your Organization Sustainable (Assessment, Management)
—  Managing Community Health Services (Information for Management and Assessment, Working with Community Members, Managing Community-based Organizations)
—  General Management Topics, email learning resources, and a list of other health management resources available on the Internet.

Master Internet VolunteerSM Program
An online educational program designed to train volunteers to help other people in their communities with the Internet and related technical issues. The program was created by the University of Minnesota (USA) Extension Service as a way to educate community volunteers in the concepts and applications of the Internet, and the web site helps train these volunteers to provide this assistance. These community volunteers are then able to more effectively assist others with applications of the Internet. Master Internet VolunteersSM work with University of Minnesota Extension Service county offices and directly with community organizations to help others learn and make effective use of the Internet. The University of Minnesota Extension Service provides this training in exchange for volunteer time, including:

— Staffing public access Internet computers at University of Minnesota Extension Service offices, libraries and other locations.
—  Developing web pages for community organizations.
—  Giving demonstrations for the public.
—  Writing articles for local newspapers.
—  Teaching community education classes.
—  Working with youth, seniors, or special interest groups to help them use the Internet.

National Service Resource Center (NSRC)
NSRC is a training and technical assistance provider to programs funded by the Corporation for National Service (AmeriCorps, VISTA, SeniorCorps, etc.) in the USA. Its web site supports these volunteers in their work, and includes a database for effective practices (Epicenter), and an extensive online resource library that includes volunteer support materials for its volunteers, such as:

— Growing and Sustaining a School-Wide Tutoring Program
—  Making an Impact on Out-of-School Time
—  Seniors for Schools: Effective Practices Guidebook
—  Students Teaching Students: A Handbook for Cross-Age Tutoring.

NetDay How-To Guide Index
NetDay sponsors one-day, all-volunteer efforts in the USA to build appropriate wiring infrastructure in schools so they can access the Internet. The NetDay How-To Guide provides everything volunteers need to undertake these one-day events successfully:

— Tips for Local Organizing
—  State and Local Support: Getting Partners on Board
—  Planning for NetDay
—  Marketing NetDay to Businesses and Other Sponsors
—  What NetDay Sponsors Can Do
—  Sample NetDay Advertisements
—  NetDay Public Relations Essentials
—  Technical Issues
—  Site Survey and Wiring Plan
—  Cable Installation and Sample Wiring Plan
—  Non-Technical Volunteers
—  Suggested Tools and Supplies
—  Numerous Checklists

Sanchez Elementary School Online Mentoring Program
Mentoring Guidelines and Activities
This handbook for online volunteer mentors serving in this program has information and resources to support them in their interactions with students at this school serving low-income, primarily Hispanic students in East Austin, Texas (USA). The handbook includes information about the fourth graders at Sanchez and their neighborhood; tips for getting started in an online relationship and suggestions for activities to maintain the relationship; policies and procedures; safety guidelines; an overview of online culture; links to resources on web sites by other organizations; and much more. It's a good model for volunteers or staff to develop online mentoring programs for students.

Volunteers in Technical Assistance (VITA) Understanding Technology Series
VITA places volunteers in developing countries to provide access to information and knowledge, strengthen local institutions and introduce improved technologies. Its areas of assistance include (but are not limited to) agriculture, business and industry, energy, environment, food processing and management, health and medicine, housing, information and communication, transportation, water supply and sanitation. VITA technical papers are used by volunteers as guidelines in selecting technologies suitable to specific situations. Charts, diagrams, graphs, and the like are not included in these online, text-only versions.

World Links for Development (WorLD) Resource Materials
The World Links for Development (WorLD) program provides Internet connectivity and training for teachers, teacher trainers and students in developing countries in the use of technology in education. WorLD then links students and teachers in secondary schools in developing countries with schools in industrialized countries for collaborative learning via the Internet. The WorLD training materials help familiarize volunteers and other participants with how to use serthe Internet to enhance education programs, and includes:

— building a collaborative web project
—  reference library
—  a guide to conducting research on the Internet
—  technology resources (Internet basics, using e-mail and browsers,
—  school technology planning, wiring/cabling a school, evaluating
—  donations, Internet tools, connectivity, networking, Year 2000
—  issues, a list of free stuff and other technical advice and support.

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