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USING SKYPE WITH ONLINE VOLUNTEERS - A POWERFUL TOOL FOR A NON-PROFIT
Winnipeg, Canada, November 15, 2006: In working with online volunteers, there are certain types of tasks where real time voice communication can be an efficient way to solve a problem quickly. When Canadian-based charitable organization Macdonald Youth Services’(MYS) encounters these types of situations, they reach for Skype, a free cross-platform computer application that allows them to talk to their online volunteer Skype users anywhere in the world for free.
MYS’s Online Volunteer Program developer Randy Tyler highlights how the clarity of a real-time Skype voice conversation helped him advance their video production.
“We are currently working on the production of a Youth Care Worker recruitment video and during an hour long Skype conversation with the Indiana-based online volunteer producer, I was able to move the project forward very quickly, commented Tyler. Working out the video direction via e-mail would have been possible but would have taken much longer,” continued Tyler.
“Skype is a cost-effective tool that lends itself to conditions that are best served by real-time communications across all points of the globe,” stated Indiana-based online volunteer video producer, Kibben Miller.
“In media development, Brainstorming is a critical element to insure objectives are addressed and creative solutions are explored. The give and take between collaborators is vital to a project’s success and Skype is a tool that allows this interaction without technology or a colleague’s location presenting additional barriers” Miller added.
Tyler also develops and maintains MYS’s Web site. Highly-skilled online volunteers are an invaluable resource MYS uses to assist them to enhance their charitable organization’s Web site. However, when using e-mail, testing changes in software can be a protracted process. For MYS’s Tyler, Skype was an effective and efficient tool in quickly arriving at a solution when working with Online Volunteer software developer Eugen Bodolak, who is based in the Middle East (Cyprus).
“Instead of exchanging a number of e-mail messages, testing and replying, we connected via Skype,” said Tyler. “Along with Skype’s voice communication, we also used the application’s chat feature to exchange code snippets and its file transfer ability to transfer finals, which resulted in a quick fix to the Perl-based script,” added Tyler.
“Information is the key word, ‘information is power’, if the power comes free, why not to take advantage of it,” stated MYS’s Middle East Online Volunteer Eugen Bodolak. “In comparison with other softs, that serves the same purpose, the rate of used system resource and quality since to be in the advantage of the Skype,” added Bodolak.
As SkypeOut (meaning a call from a computer to a landline or mobile) is currently free throughout North America to the end of December, Tyler also uses Skipe to call MYS online volunteers located in the US or Canada. To ensure that online volunteers can connect with him or so that he can leave a voice message for other MYS online volunteers using Skype, Tyler also subscribes to Skype Voicemail. Although not free (it is about $20.00 Canadian a Year), Tyler find the service invaluable.
“With Skype Voicemail, because my computer doesn’t have to left on, I do not miss any messages,’ stated Tyler. “Moreover, I can leave a five or ten minute voicemail message (and communicate my message more effectivelty) for an online volunteer Skype user that would take me an hour or more to type.” commented Tyler.
To subscribe or unsubscribe from MYS’s Virtual Volunteering News E-Mail List, please see the URL below:
http://www.mys.ca/cgi-bin/media/mail_list.pl
For Further Information:
Randy Tyler
Webmaster/Online Volunteer Program Developer
Macdonald Youth Services
Winnipeg, MB Canada
W: http://www.mys.ca/aov
W: http://www.mys.ca/volunter
E: http://www.mys.ca/cgi-bin/randy_email.cgi
Skype: randytyler_canada
Video Mail: http://www.mys.ca/vm
PGP Key: http://www.mys.ca/pgp Winnipeg, Canada, November 15, 2006: In working with online volunteers, there are certain types of tasks where real time voice communi... more -
How To Use Skype with Your Online Volunteers: A Free Video Tutorial
Winnipeg, Canada: Although Skype states their VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) application is relatively "easy to download, install and use", a visual tutorial may help those with installing and using this program for the first time. As apart of the best practises publication about Online Volunteering being developed by Randy Tyler, MYS has facilitated the creation of many how-to videos.
In this context, Macdonald Youth Services (MYS) is pleased to share a video tutorial that provides an overview of how to download, install, configure and use Skype 2.5 for Windows. MYS extends their thanks to online volunteer Yu Cheng, who now lives in China, for creating the approximate nine minute video.
Using a combination of Skype's voice, chat and file transfer features, Macdonald Youth Services demonstrated that such an application can be an effective and efficient tool to help any non-profit advance projects undertaken by their far-flung volunteers.
To download the PC-based Skype instructional video, which is available in both Windows Media Video and Flash formats, please see the following URL:
http://www.mys.ca/aov/index.php/2007/04/07/how-to-use-s...
To subscribe or unsubscribe from MYS’s Online Volunteering News E-Mail List, please see the URL below:
http://mys.ca/cgi-bin/media/mail_list.pl
Macdonald Youth Services (MYS), a 77 year-old trusted and respected registered charitable healing and support agency based in Winnipeg, Canada, provides a variety of innovative and leading programming for thousands of Manitoba’s young people on a yearly basis. MYS has been successfully utilizing highly-skilled online volunteers from around the globe to enhance their programs and services since 1998.
For Further Information:
Randy Tyler, Volunteer Co-ordinator/Webmaster
Macdonald Youth Services
http://mys.ca/volunter
Winnipeg, Canada
Ph: 1-204-949-4292
E: http://mys.ca/cgi-bin/randy_email.cgi
W: http://www.mys.ca/aov
W: http://www.mys.ca/volunter
Skype: randytyler_canada Winnipeg, Canada: Although Skype states their VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) application is relatively "easy to download, in... more -
Online Volunteer Shows Quality Video Production Doable via the Internet by Randy T...
Winnipeg, Canada -- It was 2004 when Detroit-based Kibben Miller came across an Internet-based volunteer opportunity that he saw as a perfect fit for both his lifestyle and skill set as a video editor. Although Miller was initially somewhat skeptical of whether or not the Internet could be used as an effective collaboration tool for video production, he soon proved otherwise. In his first production, he successfully co-ordinated and worked with three other online volunteers he had never met. And these four strangers, who were dispersed throughout North America, collaborated to produce a compelling Video for Canadian charitable organization Macdonald Youth Services (MYS), which aired on local television.
And after three years of successfully navigating cyberspace as an MYS Internet-based volunteer, Miller has some inspiring words for anyone considering online volunteering:
" ... regardless of what they think they can offer or they can't offer, there is going to be an organization that will welcome your work," commented Miller. "You don't have to have extraordinary computer skills and an elaborate setup to make a real significant contribution to the organization ...," added Miller.
"Whether from the Eastern US in Detroit or on the other end of the country in Portland connected via a coffee shop's wireless Internet connection, Kibben has been there for us," stated MYS Online Volunteer Program Developer Randy Tyler. "Methodical, experienced and creative, he has been an invaluable resource both as a video editor/producer and consultant," added Tyler.
To learn more about Kibben's motivations for online volunteering, the rewards and what has helped keep him involved for three years, MYS South Dakota-based online volunteer audio producer John Small interviewed Kibben. To listen to or to download the approximate nine minute interview (which was recorded on both ends and mixed in post production), please visit MYS's "About Online Volunteering" Web-based Resource and Podcast site now at:
http://www.mys.ca/aov
Subscribe or Unsubscribe from MYS’s Online Volunteering News E-Mail List:
http://www.mys.ca/cgi-bin/media/mail_list.pl
Macdonald Youth Services (MYS), a 77 year-old trusted and respected registered charitable healing and support agency based in Winnipeg, Canada, provides a variety of innovative and leading programming for thousands of Manitoba’s young people on a yearly basis. MYS has been successfully utilizing highly-skilled online volunteers from around the globe to enhance their programs and services since 1998.
For further information:
Randy Tyler
Online Volunteer Program Developer
Macdonald Youth Services
Winnipeg, Canada
T: 1-204-949-4292
http://www.mys.ca/aov
http://www.mys.ca/volunter
E: http://www.mys.ca/cgi-bin/randy_email.cgi
Skype: randytyler_canada Winnipeg, Canada -- It was 2004 when Detroit-based Kibben Miller came across an Internet-based volunteer opportunity that he saw as a ... more -
Online Volunteer Shows the Power of Internet Technology and Laptop Computing
Winnipeg, Canada -- In the fall of 2006, Becky Heaman of Calgary (Canada) had sold her house, quit her job and set out on a working European vacation of her lifetime. After establishing Dublin, Ireland as her home base, Heaman sought out a volunteer opportunity to help her get connected with her new surroundings. In her quest to find a local volunteer opportunity, she did a search on a Volunteer Ireland Web site. To her surprise, the search popped up an online volunteer opportunity (something she had not done before) with a Canadian charitable organization, Macdonald Youth Services (MYS), based in Winnipeg.
"I am over here in Dublin, Ireland. I was trying to find a way to get connected and volunteer here, because that is something I had done at home in Calgary, and in the search I found ... Volunteer Dublin, Volunteer Ireland and they (the Canadian charity) were listed as one of the opportunities," stated Heaman. "And because it was online, it didn't matter that I was over here in Ireland and it was kind of interesting for me to be able to find a way to still stay connected to Canada," added Heaman.
"Becky demonstrated the power of Internet technology and laptop computing," commented MYS Online Volunteer Program Developer Randy Tyler. "Selfless in sharing her precious vacation time with MYS, Becky would take her laptop on the road with her to work on a volunteer project and aim to connect with me via an Internet cafe from any place in Europe her travel took her," continued Tyler.
To learn about Becky's online volunteer involvement with Macdonald Youth Services as she toured from Ireland to Russia to Iceland, MYS South Dakota-based online volunteer audio producer John Small interviewed Becky at two time periods. To listen to or download the approximate nine minute Skype to phone interview (mp3: 8 MB), please visit the following URL:
http://www.mys.ca/aov
Macdonald Youth Services (MYS), a 77 year-old trusted and respected registered charitable healing and support agency based in Winnipeg, Canada, provides a variety of innovative and leading programming for thousands of Manitoba’s young people on a yearly basis. MYS has been successfully utilizing highly-skilled online volunteers from around the globe to enhance their programs and services since 1998.
For further information:
Randy Tyler
Online Volunteer Program Developer
Macdonald Youth Services
Winnipeg, Canada
T: 1-204-949-4292
http://www.mys.ca
E: http://www.mys.ca/cgi-bin/randy_email.cgi
Skype: randytyler_canada Winnipeg, Canada -- In the fall of 2006, Becky Heaman of Calgary (Canada) had sold her house, quit her job and set out on a working Eu... more -
Websites that List Online Volunteer Opportunities - Video Shows Where
Macdonald Youth Services (MYS) released a video about "The Global Directory of Web Sites that List Online Volunteer Opportunities". This unique global directory, which was officially launched by MYS in November 2007, allows any non-profit organization to easily find Web sites to list their Internet-based volunteer opportunities. All Web sites listed in the directory provide the name of the Web site, the site's URL, who is eligible to list online volunteer opportunities, the geographic area the Web site serves and if any costs are involved.
"The global directory was developed by MYS to allow any non-profit organization to easily locate Web sites where they can post their volunteer opportunities that can be performed via the Internet," stated MYS's pioneering Online Volunteering Program Developer, Randy Tyler. "This video will help to clarify that our directory does not list online volunteer opportunities but is a unique global recruitment resource for a non-profit organization asking: 'Where can we list our online volunteer opportunities for potential volunteers to see them?'," added Tyler.
"Making this information accessible for the benefit of non-profits and charities around the world will exponentially expand the impact of so many who wish to make the world a better place," commented Stock20 Owner/Producer, Daniel Rudd. "Stock20 is happy to partner with MYS by providing our music for their audio and video projects," continued Rudd.
MYS extends their thanks to online volunteers Gail Drinnan (Alberta, Canada) and and Chuck Brown (Ohio, USA) for their assistance in creating the video.
The 30 second video can be viewed or downloaded for placement on a Web site or blog from the following URL:
http://www.mys.ca/aov
For further information, please contact:
Randy Tyler
Webmaster/Online Volunteer Program Developer
Macdonald Youth Services
Winnipeg, MB Canada
T: 1-204-949-4292
W: http://www.mys.ca/aov
W: http://www.mys.ca/volunter
E: http://www.mys.ca/cgi-bin/randy_email.cgi
Skype: randytyler_canada
Video Mail: http://www.mys.ca/vm
PGP Key: http://www.mys.ca/pgp
Macdonald Youth Services (MYS), a trusted and respected registered charitable healing and support agency based in Winnipeg, Canada, has been building futures for Manitoba's at-risk children since 1929. Through a variety of innovative and leading programming, MYS provides services for thousands of Manitoba's young people on a yearly basis. Since 1998, MYS has been at the forefront of successfully utilizing highly-skilled online volunteers from around the globe to enhance their programs and services. Macdonald Youth Services (MYS) released a video about "The Global Directory of Web Sites that List Online Volunteer Opportunities... more
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