OCASI workshop – Social Media and Technology Use in Settlement Services

Thanks very much for attending my recent workshop. I thought we had a great discussion and I’m hoping you got something out of it. As promised, below are my slides and other resources from the workshop.

Workshop description

Our clients, volunteers and leaders are often among the most sophisticated users of technology. They have expectations about being able to communicate with us quickly and easily. How do we reach out to them with information in ways they can use? Your use of the internet should be connected to the work you do every day. What does this actually look like?

This interactive session looked at emerging trends and demonstrating best practices for online information & service provision.

Workshop resources

Here are a number of workshop resources from our session together, including slides, documents and links to additional reading and resources.

Presentation slides (for download and embedded for quick viewing):

Download: OCASI workshop slides – Social Media and Technology Use in Settlement Services (PDF)

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 (a series of worksheets based on some of the slides in the presentation, expanding on them and providing
• 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 – TechnologyStandards
• Unleashing Innovation Using Everyday Technology to Improve Nonprofit Services

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:

• ISANS
• CultureLink
• COSTI
• OCASI
• South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services
• CIIP
• NYCH
• CCS

Here are just a few of the larger English language online social networks where newcomers share information and orientation:

• Settlement.Org discussion area – 29,000 members
• CanadaVisa.com immigration forum – 419,000 members
• LoonLounge – 116,000 members
• CanadianDesi.com – 73,000 members
• RoadToCanada.com – 24,000 members
• Immigration.ca – 23,000 members

Online security and encryption:

• 4 Email Security Best Practices You Should Start Now (If You Haven’t Already)
• How Email Encryption Can Help Your Non-Profit
• Encrypt or Lose
• A secure, Canadian Dropbox alternative