Posts from — May 2008
Xero online accounting for clubs
I’m self-employed. I have to keep track of income and expenditure, pay bills, issue invoices and record who’s paid and who hasn’t. For years I used software on one of my two computers.
It was great software, but often on the ‘wrong’ computer. What’s more I’m not an accountant and generally messed up even simple transactions. Finally, about 18 months ago I employed someone who did understand what they were doing to help me.
She comes to my house for a few hours each month to keep my accounts in order. So I had to set her up on my computer, give her access to the accounts package and so on.
Recently though I switched to using Xero Online for my accounts. The whole thing is handled on the web. My accounts person and I can access my invoices and payments, bank balances etc from any computer (using Firefox or Flock). We can both look at the accounts at the same time, and the chartered accountant who handles my annual tax return can also log in to do what she needs to.
So far I’m very pleased with Xero. It’s a New Zealand company, based in Wellington, so it understands NZ conditions. They meet my small (sole trader) business needs, and have an eye on community organisations too, as they explain on their Xero | Businesses | Clubs web page:
Xero is a great fit for clubs, making accounting easy for people who aren’t accountants. Set up recurring subscriptions, produce professional reports, and track profits and losses for any part of your club.
Let Xero look after subscriptions
Keep track of membership fees that are due or outstanding, with Xero’s repeating transactions. No more working out who owes what, Xero will tell you who’s paid and who hasn’t.
Save your volunteers
The reality of running clubs is you are dependent on volunteers — and they may change frequently. Xero is web-based so can be accessed using any computer connected to the internet. Your treasurer can easily log on at home or wherever they are. And if you appoint a new treasurer it’s no problem, simply invite them in and away they go — no need to transfer data from one place to another.
Whether you belong to a small or large community organisation it would be worth your while to at least see what Xero have to say. They have some videos you can watch, and a demo you can try out for free. They also have a detailed Clubs How to page.
[Via : Xero | Businesses | Clubs.]
Disclaimer: After doing some work for Rod Drury earlier this year I receive a discounted rate for my Xero subscription.
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May 29, 2008 No Comments
Twitter for Health
Nedra Weinreich has a highly detailed post about the utility of Twitter, and how she scoffed before she actually explored it:
When I first read about Twitter last year, I scoffed. Who cares what other people are doing, thinking or eating every waking moment of the day? …
While I was on my blogging hiatus … I decided to try out Twitter on a short-term basis to see if I thought it was worthwhile. After a few days of using it, I was hooked. I found that Twitter was a great way to have ongoing conversations and build relationships with colleagues, get quick answers to questions and get pointers to useful links.
[Via : Spare Change: Twitter for Health.]
She goes on to list many, many practical possibilities for Twitter, such as:
- Providing information and tips - ex: eDiets, womenshealth, Health News
- Providing motivational support - ex: Qwitter (smoking cessation), Twitter PT Challenge (fitness)
- Early warning systems - ex: Morbus (pandemics), trouble alerts
Nedra also carefully examines benefits and limitations.
Twitter is one of those things where you have to try it out (with some friends or colleagues) before you actually ‘get’ it. Once people do ‘get’ it though, they see how useful it could be.
One of the best things about Twitter is that you have only 140 characters to convey your message. That makes messages short, sharp and to the point, as well as quick to read.
Twitter works best with a standalone client — ie a piece of software that handles tweets separately. If you have to go and look at a web page to read tweets it just all seems pointless.
As a Mac user I can say that Twitterific is superb. Windows and Linux users should check out the Twitter fan wiki to locate good software.
This post suggested by Ted Zorn.
May 28, 2008 1 Comment
TechScout for real
This is exactly what groups need. Look at what the new NZ AIDS Foundation Technology Communications Advisor will do:
This new position is for four days per week, and will work closely with the National Communications Co-ordinator and the wider HIV Prevention and Communications Group.
The new Technology Communications Advisor will develop the NZAF’s prevention work by taking full advantage of new and emerging media and technologies, as well as developing current initiatives.
Full ad at CommunityNet Aotearoa : Technology Communications Advisor.]
May 27, 2008 No Comments
e-rider - IT advice for community groups
The Wellington e-rider provides IT advice for Wellington community groups, but their newsletter may interest others too:
Every month we send out a short email newsletter to clients of the Wellington e-rider IT service. The e-newsletter is for community and voluntary organisations. We’ll select relevant tips, news and articles to help you make the most out of your computer, the Internet and other technology.
See also their List of Resources.
May 27, 2008 No Comments
How to use real-time communications with volunteers
Jayne Cravens and Coyote Communications have information, links and explanations about using chat, instant messaging and similar tools for real-time communication within community organisations:
A growing number of organizations use real-time communications, or synchronous conferencing — chats, instant messaging, VoIP and video conferencing — to hold online meetings with volunteers, to allow volunteers to interact with staff, clients, or each other, or to have live, online, real-time events, where volunteers listen or watch a featured speaker or guest.
These forms of real-time, synchronous communications add a new dimension to the Internet and remote volunteer experience. For instance, one-on-one instant messaging between a volunteer and staff member can often solve problems more quickly than email-only communications.
[Via : Using Real-Time Communications With Volunteers.]
There’s a lot of information there, so set aside an hour or two. Also be sure to watch Jayne’s YouTube video.
This post suggested by Ted Zorn.
May 25, 2008 No Comments
