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Successful Technology Grantwriting
Free Financial Management Assistance
Nonprofit Leadership Training
CNE Solutions
Register for Upcoming Classes
Classes in our Training Lab
Online classes
How online training works
PC Tip
Answers for sale!!
Are you getting the best deals
for your technology dollar?
How can Project Connect help you?
FUN
FACT
Windows Vista uses 500 MB RAM. If you plan on upgrading your
computers to Windows Vista, you must have AT LEAST 1 GB RAM!!
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 How
do funders evaluate technology-connectivity proposals?
Nonprofit organizations can better serve their mission when they
use technology and connectivity to increase efficiency and
improve communications among their clients, other nonprofit
agencies, and the general community. Generally, funders
understand that technology and connectivity are as critical to
nonprofit operations as electricity and telephones. But on the
other hand, they receive hundreds of requests for computers. How
do they evaluate which donations will provide the greatest
impact on their community?
Requesting organizations should be able to present a technology
plan which will meet the organization's short- and long-term
needs. It is essential that the plan incorporate the following:
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Computers appropriate to each user's needs;
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Standardized software throughout the organization (e.g.,
Microsoft Office);
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Essential peripherals, such as printers, multi-function units,
and scanners;
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Appropriate networking;
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Connectivity;
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A disaster-ready back-up system;
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Training for all users;
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Technical support;
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Maintenance plan;
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Policies for use;
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Budgets and timelines; and
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An on-going funding plan (incorporating software upgrades and
a 3-5 year hardware replacement plan) to cover expenses as the
organization's technology and connectivity needs grow.
What factors should be considered when writing proposals? The
Project Connect Advisory Council suggests the following:
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The proposal must indicate a clear understanding of how the
technology and connectivity will positively impact the
organization’s mission. We don’t encourage funding proposals
with mere equipment lists. Instead, we promote proposals which
clearly identify the connection between the technology and the
mission.
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There should be a strong commitment to implementing the full
advantages of the technology and connectivity.
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The proposal must include training and support mechanisms for
all users (at least $200-$400 per person for training).
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Proposals should minimize technological risk of obsolescence
by sticking to industry norms such as Microsoft, Adobe, or
Intuit software.
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Maintenance planning should include (1) preventative
maintenance schedules (e.g., monthly scandisk, disk cleanup,
defrag); (2) consumable items (printer cartridges, back-up
media); and (3) replacement items for parts which may fail
(video cards, network cards, etc.)
If you have any questions about
this, or would like additional information, please contact
me at 330-315-1335 or
js@infolineinc.org.
This
is an excerpt from Technology Standards for Nonprofit
Organizations; click here for the entire document ...
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CCN Offers Free QuickBooks Training for
Nonprofits!
 Are
you tired of recording your organization’s financials by
hand? Have you been thinking about upgrading to accounting
software that is user-friendly and offers several levels of
technical support? Then you may want to consider QuickBooks
Pro! This accounting software helps small to medium-sized
nonprofits better manage their financials in a highly
organized fashion without being an accountant or a stellar
math student.
In this QuickBooks
Training Session, you will learn how to:
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Set-up a “Chart
of Accounts”
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Create Invoices
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Establish a Bill
Payment Schedule
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Track Volunteer
Time
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Review &
Reconcile your Company Checkbook
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Generate Reports:
such as Balance Sheet, Profit & Loss Statement and more
While QuickBooks Pro
is not a substitute for having your own accountant, it can
help you make their job and your life a little easier. Maybe
you’re fiscally savvy and just shopping around for
accounting software. Whatever your situation, we invite you
to give QuickBooks a test-drive. Think you’re interested?
Then sign up for a class TODAY!
Added bonus: CCN has
arranged for Project Connect to provide post-training
technical support at no cost to you!! So you get free
training and technical support!!
Contact Donna at:
216-688-4119 or send email to
dryant@ccnworks.org.
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Nonprofit Leadership Training
 The Ohio University Executive Leadership Institute (OUELI)
offers programs that address the unique challenges facing
executives of public and nonprofit organizations. Check out
OUELI’s 2007 course offerings: “Leading with Vision, Value and
Strategy,” “Aligning Performance Measures, Strategy and
Politics” and “Leading Change.”
Visit
http://oueli.voinovichcenter.ohio.edu. For additional
information, please contact Eleni Zulia: zulia@ohio.edu or
740-593-4549
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CNE Solutions
Sometimes, outside expertise is necessary. Sometimes, you need
an objective diagnosis of your problem. Sometimes, you need a
roadmap...a process to increase performance. Sometimes, you need
a partner for solutions. CNE Solutions is an affordable option
for your organization to get assistance that is customized to
address your specific management challenges.
Personalized assistance is
available for any of the following:
No matter what your budget size, to
meet and discuss a best-practice approach to your specific
management needs, call Jeff Vengrow at 330-762-9670 or e-mail
vengrow@cfnpe.org.
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Register for Upcoming Classes ...
This month, we're trying something
new: simulcast training!! If you want to learn how to work with
websites and Photoshop, select what will work best for you:
classroom training or online training!!
Website Developers Series
5/15/07 - 5/29/07
Database Developers Series
5/10/07 - 6/12/07 (skip 05/24/07)
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 Classes in
our Training Lab at 703 South Main Street #211, Akron OH 44311:
click on the class name
for a description
Click here to register for Training Lab classes
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Learn how to use
PhotoShop's powerful tools to
correct color balances in your
scanned photos, crop and resize your
images, and prepare them for the
web. This includes special
techniques for reducing the size of
your images to reduce download time.
Prerequisite: Skills covered in
Introduction to Computers 1 & 2.
The Website Developers Series
ontPage 1: Themes & Shared
Borders
5/15/07 - 9:00 AM - Noon
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We will cover the
basics of FrontPage, the most
popular website authoring software
in the world! The focus will be on
understanding how FrontPage works,
designing themes, and using shared
borders. After this course, you will
be able to develop a simple but
useful format for your
organization's website.
Prerequisite: Skills covered in
Introduction to Computers 1 & 2.
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Microsoft FrontPage 2: Formatting Your
Web Pages
5/22/07 - 9:00 AM - Noon
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This is the
nitty-gritty of developing a
website: the pages themselves. We
will cover importing and formatting
text, using graphics, hyperlinks,
bookmarks, and tables. With the
skills in this course, you will be
able to create different types of
pages using the format developed in
Microsoft FrontPage 1. Prerequisite:
Skills covered in Microsoft
FrontPage 1.
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Microsoft FrontPage 3: Cool Tools
5/29/07 - 9:00 AM - Noon
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Now we explore the
cool tools of FrontPage: forms,
marquees, hover buttons, searches,
etc. We will also discuss ways to
make each attendee's website better
and easier to use. Prerequisite:
Skills covered in Microsoft
FrontPage 1 & 2.
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 Online classes
click here for more details
click on the class name
for a description
click here to register
for online training classes
-
Learn how to use
PhotoShop's powerful tools to
correct color balances in your
scanned photos, crop and resize your
images, and prepare them for the
web. This includes special
techniques for reducing the size of
your images to reduce download time.
Prerequisite: Skills covered in
Introduction to Computers 1 & 2.
The Website Developers Series
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Microsoft FrontPage 1: Themes & Shared
Borders
5/15/07 - 9:00 AM - Noon
-
We will cover the
basics of FrontPage, the most
popular website authoring software
in the world! The focus will be on
understanding how FrontPage works,
designing themes, and using shared
borders. After this course, you will
be able to develop a simple but
useful format for your
organization's website.
Prerequisite: Skills covered in
Introduction to Computers 1 & 2.
-
Microsoft FrontPage 2: Formatting Your
Web Pages
5/22/07 - 9:00 AM - Noon
-
This is the
nitty-gritty of developing a
website: the pages themselves. We
will cover importing and formatting
text, using graphics, hyperlinks,
bookmarks, and tables. With the
skills in this course, you will be
able to create different types of
pages using the format developed in
Microsoft FrontPage 1. Prerequisite:
Skills covered in Microsoft
FrontPage 1.
-
Microsoft FrontPage 3: Cool Tools
5/29/07 - 9:00 AM - Noon
-
Now we explore the
cool tools of FrontPage: forms,
marquees, hover buttons, searches,
etc. We will also discuss ways to
make each attendee's website better
and easier to use. Prerequisite:
Skills covered in Microsoft
FrontPage 1 & 2.
The Database Developers Series
5/10/07 - 9:00 AM - Noon
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In the second session, we will actually set up the database
planned in the previous session. Tables will be closely
examined, especially field properties. We will also do quick
searches, filters, and sorts. Relationships between tables will
be a major focus. Prerequisite: Skills covered in Microsoft
Access 1 and completion of homework.
Microsoft Access 3: Database Queries & Basic Forms
5/31/07 - 9:00 AM - Noon
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Queries are used to analyze data, combine data from different
tables, and retrieve data from one or more tables using criteria
you specify. Forms can be created to "pretty up" your data, make
data entry easier, and combine data from different tables and
queries. We will also integrate the data into Microsoft Word and
Excel for file exchange and publication. Prerequisite: Skills
covered in Microsoft Access 2 and completion of homework.
Microsoft Access 4: Database Forms & Reports
6/5/07 - 9:00 AM - Noon
Microsoft Access 5: Troubleshooting the Database
6/12/07 - 9:00 AM - Noon
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 How online
training works ...
Learn from your office -- no travel involved!!
In response to myriad requests for training throughout Ohio,
Project Connect is implementing ONLINE TRAINING!! Here's how it
works:
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Visit
http://projectconnect.webex.com
and click on the
[Registration] button for whatever class you want to register
for. Enter your information into the form and click on the
[Register] button again. Click [ok] and exit.
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You will get a confirming email with all the information: date,
time, session number, phone number, etc. Copy this to your
calendar for that date starting at 8:45 AM.
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On the day before the class, I will send you the handouts for
the class. Please print them and have them with you on the day
of training.
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You must have the software you are training in loaded on the
computer that you use to connect to the training session.
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On the day of training at 8:45, sit comfortably at your own desk
with the handouts and any necessary refreshments. Go to the
email link that you pasted in your calendar. Fill in the
information (the password is also in that information you
pasted) and then join the session.
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Once you join, you will be given a phone number to call. Call
that number and enter the codes from the screen.
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You will see my screen on your computer and be able hear me from
your phone!
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We'll keep the class to three hours with a break in the middle.
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Get ready to have fun!!
Other details:
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Online training is limited to 12 students per class. Classes
fill quickly, so be sure to register early.
-
Cost is $60 per person. We will invoice you or you can call
330-315-1335 and pay by credit card.
-
The registration deadline is 2 business days before the class.
Payment must be made by the date of the class; checks, cash, and
Mastercard/Visa are accepted. Cancellations must be received by
4:00 pm two days before the class in order to be eligible for a
refund.
-
Those who register for a class but do not attend will be charged
for that class.
-
If you attended a class previously in the past year, you can
repeat the class at no charge.
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Ryan's PC Tip:
10
Wireless Security Tips for Public Hotspots
1. Always be aware that a public access point is just
that -- PUBLIC!! Do not transfer any personal information,
especially credit card numbers, over this connection.
2. Use a personal Firewall such as Norton and check
the settings BEFORE you log into the internet.
3.
Use anti-virus software and keep the software up to date.
4. Keep the Windows operating system updated.
5. Use a strong alpha-numeric password to protect
your computer (at least 8 characters, mixture of letters
and numbers).
6. If you absolutely must request and sending confidential
information through the web, insure that the website's URL is
using a secured server (it will read HTTPS:// instead of
HTTP://).
7. Disable any guest user accounts that may be
compromised.
8. Turn off file sharing on your computer when you
are in public places. (Oftentimes we have shared files on our
home wireless networks, and then when that computer is taken into
a different wireless environment those files are still shared.)
Turning Off
Simple File Sharing…
1. Double Click on 'My Computer' on the Desktop
2. On the Tools Menu click folder options
3. Click the view tab and unselect 'Use Simple File
Sharing'
9. Set your Wireless adapter software to not automatically
connect to the first available network This convenience can
cause a major security issue because the computer may
automatically connect to an unknown access point if it is closer in range
... and this can be used as a gateway to your PC.
10. Be cautious of the people around you. Be as
paranoid as you are when using an ATM or buying something
with your debit card.
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 Answers for
sale!!
You and your staff have more important things to do than fight
with your technology! Instead of spending hours of frustration
trying to do it yourself, let us help you!
Project Connect offers Live Help for staff of all Ohio
nonprofits! If you are having problems with a Microsoft Office
or Adobe product, simply go to
www.pclivehelp.org and complete
the form. Follow the directions, and then we'll be able to see
your computer from our office. We can then walk you through the
problem.
Cost is $15 per increment of 10 minutes.
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 Are you
getting the best deals for your technology dollar?
Don't buy anything technology-related until you've visited these
three websites first!! They offer significant discounts for
nonprofits with Microsoft, Dell, CDW, Adobe, and more!
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www.techsoup.org/stock/
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www.giftsinkind.org
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www.techfoundation.org
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 How can Project Connect help you?
As always, we
are interested in hearing from you to learn how we can best meet
your technology and connectivity needs. Give us a call at
330-315-1335 or e-mail us at
connect@infolineinc.org.
Enjoy!
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Board
development