Collaboration Tools Essential in Web Conferencing for the Nonprofit

  

  

 delicious  

  

Nonprofit organizations come in all shapes and sizes and needs can vary based on the industry, mission, location and membership. Even if a nonprofit is headquartered in a single location, very rarely are employees, volunteers, donors and board members all in one place.

These individuals may be scattered across the country or even the world. How does the nonprofit best communicate with these individuals? In a technology-based world, snail mail and even email are no longer enough. You need to be able to effectively collaborate with key players and stakeholders within your organization.

To do so, you must either get everyone in the same location or implement a Web conferencing strategy that allows you to drive your initiatives at a fraction of the cost. Attendees need only an Internet connection and a Web browser to meet and collaborate online in real-time.

In order to make this work for your nonprofit, let’s look at specific collaboration tools, why you need them and how to make them work to the benefit of all those involved in a Web conference so they gain the most benefit from the experience. Whether the conference should include simply speaking through a computer microphone on the Web, these collaboration tools can streamline your communications.

Screen Sharing – the ability to see another person’s computer screen while you are not physically in the same location delivers immeasurable benefits. The information being discussed is better understood and retained and decisions can be made much more quickly with the topic of discussion can be viewed by all.

The desktop option is now generally standard on most Web conferencing solutions, although more robust options go beyond allowing the presenter to share certain documents on his or her desktop to sharing chosen applications in full-screen view and allowing the presenter to highlight a specific portion of the screen.

Multiple Presenters – as meetings will often include individuals bringing different levels of expertise regarding a project or an initiative, the original presenter may see the value in handing off presentation duties to someone else attending the Web conference. Allowing for multiple presenters helps the nonprofit to maximize on the potential of the Web conferencing solution.

Tools for Drawing and Annotation – simply talking about what attendees see on the screen is often not enough to drive success in the Web conference. Perhaps you need to underscore certain points or note ideas that were generated during the meeting discussions. The use of digital pencils, pens and virtual sticky notes help to capture the essence of the collaboration during this Web conference.

Whiteboard – as useful as this tool can be in a physical conference setting, it has the same application within a Web conference. This virtual equivalent provides meeting participants with dedicated space to brainstorm ideas or outline projects. Such a tool helps to drive true collaboration instead of simply presenting information.

In this day and age, collaboration is necessary to develop appropriate strategies that can drive the core mission of the nonprofit. When collaboration tools are available through Web conferencing applications, the nonprofit can gain the optimal benefit from this valuable application.