Using technology to support partnerships and collaboration
I had a great time presenting at the 6th annual BRIDGES 2018 Collaboration Forum held on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at Centennial College Event Centre. This Forum is organized by the Toronto East Quadrant Local Immigration Partnership in collaboration with all Toronto Quadrant LIPs and the Toronto Newcomer Office.
The focus of my workshop was:
Technology is playing an increasingly important role in facilitating the work of service provider organizations. How can technology be used effectively to support collaboration, and what tools and resources are there? In this workshop, participants will learn more about how technology can support service collaboration, useful tools, technology platforms and resources, how social media can be used to support collaboration. Participants will also explore advantages, challenges, pitfalls and promising practices in technology use in the social services sector.
We explored technology to collaborate with clients and other stakeholders and technology to collaborate internally & with external partners. Most of the time was spent on tech for client use, but most of the lessons and key strategic approaches (such as talk to your clients/users/stakeholders/partners about their use of tech) are applicable to any group you might be exploring technology use with.
Workshop resources
Here are a number of workshop resources from the session, including slides, documents and links to additional reading and resources.
Presentation slides (for download and embedded for quick viewing): Improving communication & collaboration in the age of social media – Marco Campana – BRIDGES 2018 Collaboration Forum Workshop (PDF).
You may be interested in reading articles and podcast episodes on my site related to providing service online.
For immigration source country statistics, and a good overall global and country-by-country perspective of internet, mobile, social and messaging app usage, We are Social’s Global Digital 2018 report is a must read.
Looking to pitch a technology idea at your agency? Let the Nonprofit Service Canvas be your guide.
Here are some useful starting points to continue your learning:
- Beth Kanter
- NonProfit MarCommunity
- TechSoup Canada
- TechSoup
- CanadaHelps
- Idealware
- NetSquared
- Wild Apricot
- NTEN
- Buffer
Additional documents (all in PDF format):
- Case Study – From Phones to Facebook – How to Engage Youth on the Front Lines of Social Media
- Case Study – Using Technology to Help Voices Be Heard 2 – webinars
- Web_2 0_Planning_Worksheet – template
- Technology as a tool to serve your clients – session worksheets
- Canadian Association of Social Workers – Social Media Use and Social Work Practice
- National Association of Social Workers – NASW – Technology Standards
- Unleashing Innovation Using Everyday Technology to Improve Nonprofit Services
Practical online service resources and guidelines for staff and clients:
- Sample newcomer services privacy & security guidelines (PDF)
- Smart phone ACCEPTABLE USE guidelines – draft sample guidelines (PDF)
- Safety Privacy Guideline for clients – mobile apps for service (PDF)
Articles for further reading:
- Can you serve newcomers using technology? You should be already
- Many newcomers to Canada are digital first – the evidence
- A vision for online settlement services
- Marketing Personas: The Complete Beginner’s Guide
Great examples of innovative agencies offering online and hybrid services across the country:
Here are just a few of the larger English language online social networks where newcomers share information and orientation:
- Settlement.Org discussion area
- CanadaVisa.com immigration forum
- CanadianDesi.com
- Immigration.ca
Online security and encryption: