Effective Use of Technology and Communication Tools in the Legal Services World David Bonebrake, J.D. October 02, 2008
Who We Are LSNTAP provides technology support to the poverty law community through trainings, direct support, and development coordination Circuit riding support to statewide legal aid websites
For Today Online Project Management Systems Wikis Law Blogs RSS Social Networking Sites
Online Project Management Tools
Online Project Management Allows you to organize all aspects of your project using an online system, including deadlines, drafts, communications and more Supplements other applications you already use. Many project management tools integrate with other programs, including 5
Why use a PM Tool? Many poverty law staffers are involved with more than casework: Courts on self-help initiatives Working with social service agencies on outreach projects Working with other offices on hotline development Sitting on various state task forces Working on staff or website committees Attending statewide or regional conferences Implementing some new procedure or technology...and more. 6
Project Management Tools LSNTAP Case Study Basecamp Other Project Management Solutions Microsoft SharePoint Central Desktop Google Sites
LSNTAPs Experience Fully virtual organization with employees spread across the US Work on several large projects that require collaboration Manage grants with substantial reporting requirements Work closely with partners – vendors, consultants, and legal aid offices
Basecamp
Project Pages
Project Milestones
Add To-Do List
File Sharing
Collaborate Outside Your Organization
Microsoft SharePoint Server Document sharing Can create wikis and other intranet sites Integrates with Microsoft Project and rest of Office Suite; MS Project handles time tracking and project supervision functions Software and licenses available on TechSoup 15
Central Desktop Tool similar to Basecamp Allows users to check out a document Pricing similar to Basecamp
Google Sites Wiki-intranet Project management Traditional web content Demos:
WIKIS
Introduction: What is a Wiki? A website Is easily edited by multiple users Provides a logical and highly navigable platform for storing and retrieving information A cost-effective, paper-free tool
Wikis as Tool for Sharing Community Knowledge Massachusetts Post Foreclosure Wiki Georgia Legal Services Program Food Stamp Fraud Advocacy Wiki Michigan Reentry Law Wiki FEMA Answers Wiki Elder Law
Options for Wikis Visit You can pay for hosting or host it on your own server depending on the software Which way should you go? Depends on: Technical expertise and available technical support Privacy controls your program needs 21
Popular Wiki Options Proprietary Wikispaces $5/mo for unlimited users/pages and 2 GB file storage PB Wiki Price negotiable;, depends on number of users typically 20% nonprofit discount Free For Nonprofits Google Sites Free and Open Source MediaWiki 22
LAW BLOGS (BLAWGS) AND RSS
ABA Journal Blawg Directory
WHAT IS RSS?
What is RSS? RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication RSS allows websites to syndicate content to other websites and other applications such RSS feed readers, and web browsers
Traditional Web Browsing
Web Browsing Now
Different Uses of RSS Stay updated on your field Immerse yourself in a new area Monitor what others are saying about your organization
RSS Readers Web Based Readers Google Reader Bloglines iGoogle MyYahoo Software Based RSS Readers Feed Demon Net News Wire FeedReader RSS-supporting Web Browsers Internet Explorer 7 Firefox
Subscribing to RSS Feeds Look for the RSS logo: Both Google Reader & MyYahoo have built-in feed searches
SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES
Social Networking Websites and Legal Aid With the growth of social networking websites more organizations are considering whether to have a presence in those networks. More than half (55%) of all online American youths ages use* online social networking sites, according to a new national survey of teenagers conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project. play.asp play.asp 20% of online adults have profiles.
Should Your Organization Use Social Networking Sites? Nonprofits have had mixed results using social networking sites for fundraising and outreach. Tech Soup: page7935.cfm page7935.cfm A presence on online social networks may be useful depending on what your organization is trying to accomplish. When a social networking presence might not work: Your target audiences aren't using social networking tools You don't have time to experiment with something that might not work.
Questions or Comments? Thanks for attending! Contact information: David Bonebrake