Archive for August, 2009

• Transition in Turbulent Times

  Date: 2009.08.18 | Category: Organizational Pilates, Technology, Timeraiser | Response: 1

  Jen Grebeldinger- Normally a move across the country with a job would be a lot more involved.  Normally transitions can be tricky and painful and exceptionally disruptive.  This one wasn’t, and it’s thanks to the time and energy we’ve invested into establishing systems that allow for dynamic flexibility, instant scalability and genuine resiliency. 
  

  Armed with my laptop, a travel mug, cheques for 2009 Vancouver artists, my BlackBerry, a headset and my daily notebook I made the move from Toronto to Levitra pas cher Vancouver on August 1st. Viagra sin receta Purchase viagra online Viagra for women Viagra sale Viagra precio Prospecto levitra With this ‘office’ I can: access every file I need that relates to planning, administering and reporting on a Timeraiser, get coffee to go without using paper, pay the 25 amazing 2009 Vancouver artists, access the internet anywhere (with my USB I can tether the internet to my laptop, too!, use Skype to talk to my lovely colleagues for free, and track ‘to do’ lists; the minute I land, I’m ready to go.  I don’t miss a beat and I don’t have to use vacation days to organize my office (Since I’m on the west coast, there are many other things to do on a vacation!).

  If you read our other blog posts, or peruse our various Google Sites, you’ll probably notice that one of the things we strive for is to be as transparent as possible and provide uninterrupted access to our planning, administration and reporting tools.  You’ll also notice that we are big supporters of cloud computing and leveraging our technology platforms so that we can be efficient, agile and most importantly during these times, resilient.  So even with this big move we’re feeling strong and stable because we’ve been investing time into completing exercises that reaffirm our use of these tools as well ensure we are living the values we are promoting. 

  One of the original purposes of these exercises was to ensure, for example, that our volunteers on the other side of the country could always have the up-to-date documents they need to support one of our programs.  As it turns out, this has benefited me now that I have moved offices – I have instant access to every document I need without having had to backup the hard drive of my desktop computer in Toronto.  I also have access to documents created by volunteers and colleagues without worrying about who in our office had the most recent version. Viagra levitra Brand viagra Levitra contraindicaciones Purchase viagra Kauf von viagra Kaufen viagra Levitra prix pharmacie

  At its core these exercises or “organizational pilates” help us remain thoughtful about how we plan, administer and report on our programs.  We’ve deliberated the how’s and why’s related to the various technologies we’ve chosen to leverage in a more “slow food” approach as opposed to a “fast food” approach. 

  A Fast Food approach is transactional.  Think “super size me” and the “I want it now” idea where the focus is satisfying short term cravings that ultimately jeopardize long term health of individuals and environments.  In Fast Food you never know what all the ingredients are, let alone where they came from.  A Slow Food approach is fundamentally different; it is deliberate and focused on awareness so that less is more.  Encouraging consumers to know where their food comes from, Slow Food encourages the use of fewer, quality, seasonally appropriate ingredients which is healthier for people, environments and culture. Online levitra Over the counter viagra Levitra achat Cheap viagra online  

  Using this analogy, rather than being reactive and focusing on short terms goals that may ultimately jeopardize our organizational core (fast food approach), we have been thoughtful, strategic and deliberate in organizing our operations (slow food approach). 

  This Slow Food approach is the bottom line of why a big change like moving across the country hasn’t disrupted our operations.  The ease of this transition shows that the time we invested early on in creating our cloud infrastructure has been well worth it. Levitra pill Viagra bestellung Pastillas levitra Viagra alternatives

• Mis-Education: Failing grades for Canadian schools providing professionalization to Canada’s Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector

  Date: 2009.08.13 | Category: Capacity Building | Response: 0

  Three volunteers – led by staff member Emily Hazell – recently completed a research project evaluating the programs offered by Canada’s post secondary schools, looking specifically at courses related to charities and non-profits. Levitra pill Viagra bestellung Viagra alternatives

  The findings are troubling. Online levitra Purchase viagra online Levitra achat Levitra prix pharmacie

  We are not teaching the types of skills Viagra for women the sector needs in the 21st century. Over the counter viagra Instead of competencies that will help high performing non-profits and charities reach their mission, we are creating lethargic organizations too slow to keep up with the rate of change around them. Viagra levitra Viagra sale Purchase viagra Kauf von viagra Prospecto levitra

  I have purposely left out details of the methodology, analysis and discussion to encourage you to look at the information yourself. Viagra sin receta Brand viagra Viagra precio Kaufen viagra It is all available at: http://courseresearch.timeraiser.ca.

  I’ll be writing again soon on the professionalization in Levitra pas cher the sector. Pastillas levitra The focus will be on what type of information like-minded organizations can share with one another to jointly advance each others’ mission that also gets them more resources they need to succeed. Levitra contraindicaciones Cheap viagra online

  - Anil Patel

• Why We’re in the Cloud

  Date: 2009.08.11 | Category: Technology | Response: 2

  The debate over Cloud Computing versus a traditional server-model is a hot topic in the tech community and with organizations who are looking for cost- Levitra pill effective, scalable and easy-to-manage alternatives. Levitra pas cher

  As a non-profit operating in several timezones, we quickly recognized the need to have accessible, collaborative documents available to our staff and volunteers regardless of their location.  In order to be agile, expand the Timeraiser program, and further develop Civic Footprint, we need the ability to share and edit documents from anywhere. Viagra levitra Viagra precio Purchase viagra Kaufen viagra

  Like many non-profit organizations, we operate within a limit budget, a changing human resource model (e.g. roles and responsibilities of staff, volunteers/board members) and shifting technologies.  It can be extremely challenging to invest in new technologies, software languages and social media tools without full-time support Viagra sin receta and maintenance of these technologies. Purchase viagra online

  
  The diagram above gives you an overview of our technology backbone, powered by cloud computing options. Online levitra Levitra contraindicaciones Our two core programs, Civic Footprint and Timeraiser are built and maintained primarily using Cloud Computing software.  With Google Applications and Salesforce.com, we can keep up-to-date records of our contacts, plan and execute projects, and collaborate on documents and do some cool things with website development. Prospecto levitra We connect the work built in Google Applications with our external Social Media tools; primarily Facebook, Twitter and our blog.  We also produce unique information and e-learning videos that are posted to YouTube Viagra sale and promoted through Twitter. Brand viagra

  Although the ratio of Software as a Service to Desktop Software applications is 33:4, we do utilize and appreciate Desktop Software applications on occasion.  For those new to the topic, Viagra alternatives ” href=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PNuQHUiV3Q” target=”_blank”>this video from the Web 2.0 Expo provides a great definition of Cloud Computing. Viagra bestellung

  In our view, Cloud Computing presents a unique opportunity to use the newest web-based and open source technologies at a low cost. Levitra achat We don’t pay for expensive server maintenance or staff costs for network system support – nor do we pay for expensive data storage and license fees.  Because we access all our work via the internet, we can work from any location, allowing the flexibility to work with anyone (volunteers, funders, the media), from any environment (our office, home, the beach).

  We have described the advantages and disadvantages in detail in our Cloud Computing Strategy.  I encourage you to review it and let us know what you think.  The bottom line is that Cloud Computing facilitates innovative sharing and collaboration of documents with our stakeholders and volunteers, a fantastic cost-saving opportunity, and an agile environment that permits us to grow at our desired pace. Levitra prix pharmacie We also don’ t ge Over the counter viagra t stuck with pesky desktop upgrades and software installs. Kauf von viagra

  There are risks with moving your organization in the Cloud; but there are also magnificent benefits that far outweigh the perceived dangers of data loss, security or compatibility issues.  We see the future in Cloud Computing, and would love to debate the topic further – leave us a comment and let us know your thoughts. Cheap viagra online

  See you in the clouds. Viagra for women Pastillas levitra

• Hamilton Timeraiser Artist Profile: Morgan Dique and David Heidebrecht

  Date: 2009.08.06 | Category: Timeraiser | Response: 1

  Timeraiser has the unique opportunity to seek out some of the most prominent up and coming artists across Canada. Purchase viagra online Viagra for women Pastillas levitra This week our two featured artists are Morgan Dique and David Heidebrecht, who showcased their artwork at the first annual Hamilton Timeraiser. Click here to see the artwork presented at the Timeraiser .

  

  The Nature of Space:

  Bold Contemporary Gallery| Hamilton, Ontario | August Kaufen viagra 2009

  We are pleased to announce that Morgan and David will be displaying their work together this month at the Bold Contemporary Art Gallery in Hamilton throughout the month of August. Levitra pill Online levitra Viagra sale Kauf von viagra Viagra bestellung

  David will be showing some of his recent work in a larger format, taken this spring on a week long trip to Killarney Provincial Park.

  Morgan will be displaying her new work; paintings of imaginative landscapes with bold shapes and colours. Brand viagra Viagra precio Purchase viagra Levitra achat Prospecto levitra Viagra alternatives

  

  For a complete viewing of Morgan and David’s art, check out their websites.  The event’s theme, The Nature of Space, is based on the artists’ exploration of the natural environment around us, through two different mediums.  The Nature of Space opens this weekend and runs for the entire month of August. Levitra pas cher Viagra levitra Levitra contraindicaciones Over the counter viagra Cheap viagra online Be sure to come out and support our local Timeraiser talent! Viagra sin receta Levitra prix pharmacie