>>perhaps instead of volunteering abroad, as I've done,
there must be some communities in the states (aside from those in
Louisiana) looking for librarian, digital types. If any DDN members
could steer me in the right direction, I'd be grateful.
Do you have a degree in library science? The American Library
Association might be able to help hook you up with an organization.
www.ala.org
Also check with local community technology centers -- www.ctcnet.org
is a good place to look for such in your area.
Don't limit yourself to tech organizations though -- contact your
nearest nonprofit development center/nonprofit support center, your
nearest United Way office, or nonprofits that have missions that you
feel personally quite strongly about.
Looking for a volunteering opportunity can be like looking for a job
-- it can take a lot of knocking on doors, a lot of networking, a lot
of talking, and certainly more than one interview. Most nonprofit
organizations have no one who has been trained in volunteer
management and, therefore, their capacities at involving volunteers
can be severely lacking. They also have trouble articulating or even
identifying their tech needs. Be prepared to clearly and simply say
what it is you want to do at such an organization in such a way that
it is understandable to a non-techie. I have a tip sheet for
organizations looking for "techie" consultants, including volunteers,
here:
http://www.coyotecommunications.com/tech/consultants.html
Have a look -- even though this is focused on the other side of the
volunteer search, it could be helpful to you in finding -- or even
creating -- a volunteer opportunity that suits your skills and
interest.
If you are so inclined, it would be great if you (and everyone!)
would share your experience as a tech volunteer, abroad or at home,
on the TechSoup Volunteers and Technology message board. Go to
www.techsoup.org, click on "Discussions", and look for the Volunteers
and Technology board.
--
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Jayne Cravens
Bonn, Germany
Services for Mission-Based Orgs
www.coyotecommunications.com
Open University Development Studies
www.coyotecommunications.com/development
Contact me
www.coyotecommunications.com/contact.html
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