Online Volunteering Technology, Tools, and Tips by Randy Tyler

Is YouTube the Best Place for Non-Profits to Post Videos?

With Mega Uploads, Short User Visits, Directed Viewing Initiatives and Grants to Top Video Creators, is YouTube the Place for Most Non-Profits to Efficiently and Effectively Engage a Significant Targeted Audience? Consider the following:

• On March 17, 2010, Y ouTube announced that 24 hours of video was being uploaded every minute.
• According to a July 8, 2010 CNN.com article, "... the average user spends just 15 minutes on YouTube but 5 hours watching TV in a given day ( Leanback is one attempt by YouTube to increase visitors viewing time).
• On July 9, 2010, YouTube announced a program to give away $5 million (Los Angeles Times) in grants to top independent YouTube video creators.

With a day's work of video being uploaded to YouTube very minute where the average user (currently) only spends 15 minutes viewing, YouTube directed viewing initiatives (such as "Leanback") along with YouTube's program to fund select video producers, most non-profit organizations will now be even more limited in their ability to attract a critical mass of engaged (YouTube) viewers.

For further information about how a non profit organization can develop a productive Internet-based volunteering program through the use of appropriate technology, please visit this Online Volunteering Resource.

How to Create an Online Volunteer Recruitment Video Using Testimonials by Randy Tyler

This 90 second video demonstrates how to use testimonials from your current online volunteers as part of your online volunteer recruitment strategy. MYS extends their thanks to virtual volunteer Adz Abarquez (of the Philippines) for producing the video.

Download (Right Click/Save) How to Create an Online Recruitment Video Using Testimonials, now.

For further information contact Randy Tyler www.mys.ca/aov or directly at RandyTyler@gmail.com or visit Online Volunteering Pioneer and Presenter

A Rich Definition of Online Volunteering by Randy Tyler

Click here to download:

A-Rich-Definition-of-Online-Volunteering-By-Randy-Tyler.wmv (3396 KB)

At one level, virtual volunteering (also referred to as, for example, online volunteering, e-volunteering, Internet volunteering, cyber volunteering, inclusive volunteering, volunteering without barriers and borders) is volunteering via the Internet.

At a deeper level, virtual volunteering reflects a much larger and richer social phenomenon, as reflected in Randy Tyler's definition of online volunteering (which was conceived by MYS's Online Volunteer Program Developer, Randy Tyler).

Geoff Edwards, an MYS Vancouver-based online volunteer, brought life to Randy's definition in his voice narration and Toronto-based MYS Online Volunteer, Svitlana Chepurna, visually illustrated Randy's definition of Virtual Volunteering in the Flash-based Video.

See the link above to download Randy Tyler's rich definition of online volunteering.

For further information, please contact Randy Tyler www.mys.ca/volunter or directly at:

Pioneering Online Volunteer Program Developer, Presenter and Trainer or RandyTyler@gmail.com.

CBC TV Newsworld Interviews Randy Tyler About Online Volunteering

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CBC-TV-Interviews-Randy-Tyler-About-Online-Volunteering.flv (15401 KB)

As part of a day long special about volunteering in Canada called the "The Kindness of Strangers", CBC TV Newsworld Interviewed Randy Tyler About Online Volunteering.

For further information www.mys.ca/volunter or contact Randy Tyler directly via pioneering online volunteer program developer and presenter or e-mail RandyTyler@gmail.com

How to Use iTunes to Play Podcasts - An Instructional Video for Non-Profits

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How-to-Use-iTunes.wmv (17973 KB)

MYS announces the release of an iTunes instructional video entitled "How to Subscribe to and Play Podcasts Using Apple's iTunes". Podcasts, which are downloadable audio or video files, are a productive way to learn about trends and issues that impact online volunteering within non-profit organizations.  iTunes, the dominant free podcatcher available for both Windows or Macs, allows the non-profit user to easily subscribe to a podcast publisher's feed and then have the episodes delivered automatically to their desktop-based podcatcher (iTunes) where they can be played when released. Whether the consideration or concern is, for example, Internet security or the use of an application, free podcasts are available to assist a non-profit organization develop their online volunteer program.

MYS extends their thanks to Ireland-based Online Volunteer Becky Heaman for  producing the video and to Alberta-based online volunteer Gail Drinnan for video distribution.

Download the "How to Use iTunes Instructional Video" from the above link, now.

For further information, please contact Tandy Tyler www.mys.ca/volunter or directly via Online Volunteer Program Developer, Trainer and Presenter or RandyTyler@gmail.com

Using Online Volunteers in Special Events - An Amazing Experience

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Recognizing-Online-Volunteers-by-Randy-Tyler.mp4 (8230 KB)

Most not-for-profit organizations still rely (only) on face-to-face volunteers to help plan, organize and execute their special events. However, Canadian-based charitable organization, Macdonald Youth Services (MYS), has demonstrated that Internet-based volunteers can play a key role in the success of special events.

"I have worked on a number of events in the past, but this is the first time that I have been able to work with virtual volunteers and it was an absolutely amazing experience", stated Event Co-ordinator, Julie Fine. "I had no idea the quality of work that was available and the variety that the virtual volunteers could provide, and I was constantly amazed as I worked over the past eight months on a number of projects, " continued Fine.

MYS extends their thanks to New York-based online volunteer Richard Wagner for editing the video. The 90 second Video is available for download from the above link.

For further information, please contact Randy Tyler www.mys.ca/volunter or directly at RandyTyler@gmail.com or visit:

About Online Volunteering by Pioneering Online Volunteer Program Developer, Presenter and Trainer, Randy Tyler.

How to Use Skype with Online Volunteers - An Instructional Video

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How-to-Use-Skype.wmv (6814 KB)

Although Skype states their VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) application is relatively "easy to download, install and use", a visual tutorial may help those with installing and using this program for the first time. As apart of the best practises publication about Online Volunteering being developed by Randy Tyler, MYS has facilitated the creation of many how-to videos.

MYS is pleased to share a video tutorial that provides an overview of how to download, install, configure and use Skype for Windows. MYS extends their thanks to online volunteer Yu Cheng, who now lives in China, for creating the approximate nine minute video.

Download the "How to Use Skype with Virtual Volunteers" instructional video from the link above, now.

For further information, please contact RandyTyler www.mys.ca/volunter or directly by visiting Online Volunteering or e-mail RandyTyler@gmail.com.

CTV Canada AM Interviews Randy Tyler About Online Volunteering

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CTV-Interviews-Randy-Tyler-About-Online-Volunteering.flv (11512 KB)

How to Create a Non-Profit Video PSA Using Online Volunteers

The potential of the Internet to help non-profit organizations in one of the most challenging of tasks was demonstrated by MYS Online Volunteer Program Developer Randy Tyler. Online volunteers from Detroit, Michigan; Toronto, Ontario; Clinton, New York and Portland, Oregon joined virtual hands to produce a 30 second, 75 year time capsule TV PSA about MYS.

MYS extends their thanks to online volunteers Kibben Miller, Richard Wagner, Gerard Doyle and Rebecca Webb for producing the video.

For further information, contact Randy Tyler www.mys.ca/volunter or visit pioneering online volunteer program developer Randy Tyler or e-mail RandyTyler@gmail.com