TIPS ON TECHNOLOGY

OpenOffice http://www.openoffice.org/ is an open-source office software suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more. It is available in many languages and works on all common computers. It can be downloaded and used completely free of charge for any purpose.  The official site does not say this, but it is a substitute for Microsoft Office among other programs.  Word, Excel to name a few.  And best of all it is free. 

MeetwithApproval.  http://www.meetwithapproval.com/  Have trouble arranging meetings?  This site might solve that problem.  You can schedule events or meetings.  Free

Manage your list of things to do with free online “to do” lists.  Remember the Milk http://www.rememberthemilk.com/ is a wide-ranging software that allows you to manage the things you need to do.  And you can check it by phone or computer.  Ta-Da List http://tadalist.com/ is another free to do list and organizer software.  It too works with phones or computers.  A feature I liked was the ability to use a checkbox with your lists as you finish stuff.

If you are not using WIKIs with your volunteer program, you should be!  There are loads of free sites and so there is no excuse.  It is a way for a group of people to communicate effectively without having to meet face-to-face.  Practice using a WIKI on something related to work or home that only includes one or two people.  That provides practice for when you decide to WIKI a larger group.  Check out these sites:  Peanut Butter Works http://pbworks.com/ orSeed Wiki at http://www.seedwiki.com/ or Wikispaces at http://www.wikispaces.com/