TechSoup Canada Part 4

The interviews are complete and all that is left is to complete the deliverables for TechSoup Canada. As I mentioned in a previous post, my group needs to submit a 1-2 minute edited video, a word-for-word transcript of all three interviews, and a summary of all three interviews. Originally, we were supposed to have our deliverables ready a few days ago, but due to scheduling problems, we were unable to complete the interviews until recently. Consequently, due to the workload, we were unable to have the deliverables ready in a few days. After speaking with the TechSoup representatives, they had no problem in extending the deadline of the deliverables. As it stands, the estimated deadline will be sometime late next week.

My role in this assignment was acting as the point of contact between TechSoup and the rest of my team. Initially, I was primarily involved in scheduling the interviews. After interviews were completed, I emailed the rest of my group and together we decided on what section of the deliverable each person will complete. I volunteered to compile the recorded footage and create the 1-2 minute edited video. The other members of my group will transcribe one interview each. We got along well, even though face-to-face contact was minimal. This was due to conflicting course schedules. The consistent emails sent between group members made for the lack of face-to-face time. We all had a common goal, and we all cooperated towards reaching that goal.

Because I will not complete my part of the deliverable by the assignment deadline, I will not know the impact of my contributions until I finish them. However, the TechSoup representatives have been satisfied with the work that we have done so far. They have said that the information that we get should be able to inform more clients of their existence. Additionally, the people that we interviewed have praised TechSoup Canada's services and would recommend them to other organizations. Through the interviews alone, we discovered an answer to TechSoup's impact on their current clients. One of the clients that I interviewed suggested that TechSoup create a public forum where representatives of non-profit organizations can meet. Only time will tell how our work will affect TechSoup Canada (and their clients) in the future.

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TechSoup Part 3

Even though I had my final interview last Friday, homework prevented me from posting something about this earlier. Literature for Life is an amazing organization which offers teen moms a safe environment to explore and learn to use language to her advantage and to benefit her children. They help at-risk families build a culture of literacy.

So Jay (my partner), Donnie(the Marketing manager), and I interviewed Literature for Life on Friday. Compared to the OCASI interview, I could better clearly see the impact TechSoup had on this company. This was because they had physical evidence of their creations to display to us in the form of their magazines (which reach out to single mothers).

After this interview, my understanding of the digital divide has changed. TechSoup's sole mission is to essentially bridge the digital divide by supplying technology to non-profit organizaions that cannot afford it. However, after these interviews, it seems that TechSoup has done more than simply provide technology to those that need it. These organizations are learning how to use software primarily on their own, with assistance from TechSoup. TechSoup has supplied the employees of these organizations with new technological skills that they can use outside the workplace.

I have heard the term 'digital divide' used repeatedly, but I have never known anyone (or any organization) that did not have limited access to technology. After these interviews I realize that the gap is there, and organizations like TechSoup Canada are committed to bridging the divide.

More information on Literature for Life can be found here.

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TechSoup Canada - Part 2

As I wrote yesterday, I volunteered to work with TechSoup and assist them in their campaign to reach out to more clients. In order to do this, myself and three others will interview 3 current non-profit organizations that TechSoup helped, and create client profiles. We will present an edited video, written profile, and some photos to be used in a case study on the TechSoup Canada website.

Last Friday, myself and a partner (along with the Marketing Manager of TechSoup) went to OCASI (Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants) at Yonge and Eglinton. We interviewed a few representatives, and then took a tiny tour of the office. I managed to snap a few photos for the profile, so here is a little preview of what the OCASI office looks like:



The rest of the interviews will be completed by the end of this week. See you then.

OCASI's website can be found here.

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TechSoup Canada

TechSoup Canada is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting other non-profit organizations serve the needs of low-income, undeserved populations and create positive social change. They do this by donating software, at scale, to organizations all over Canada. Non-profit organizations work to better the community, however they may not always have the resources to help them in their cause. TechSoup Canada tries to help these organizations by providing software at 4% of the original cost for organizations to purchase and use.

So why am I talking about TechSoup, and where do I come in?

In my "Computers and Society" class, I was asked to select a service partner and assist them in completing a project. TechSoup Canada appealed to me the most, as I believed that they were making a huge difference in the nonprofit sector. Technology has the potential to do great things for this world, and TechSoup Canada  is providing an opportunity for other non-profit organizations to expand their horizons. TechSoup Canada wants to expand their local client base in order to assist more companies.

TechSoup Canada is a small company, and in order to expand their base, they needed extra manpower. So myself and three others are currently assisting TechSoup in developing client profiles that demonstrate how TechSoup Canada's products and services can make a difference in the non-profit sector. This will be done through interviewing their current clients and developing client profiles. Stay tuned, as I will have information from the first interview soon.

Here is a link for TechSoup Canada

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