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How We're Using Information Technology to Further Our Mission By John A. Darin, President and CEO The National Association on Drug Abuse Prevention, Inc. The National Association on Drug Abuse Prevention, Inc. (NADAP), a 27-year-old national association, provides training and consulting services to organizations throughout the country. Our organization benefits from the use of current technology, as described below. In fact, we couldn't do it any other way. At NADAP, we're designing proposals in Microsoft PowerPoint -- any presentation software would do. If your organization has office suite software, you've probably already got this kind of software on your computers. We're also creating CD-ROMs to market our development materials, something your organization might consider if you, like so many other nonprofits, have information to distribute. This is a lot less complicated and expensive than it may sound. Web Site With Federal welfare reform, NADAP's programs have begun to stimulate interest across a larger nationwide audience, so it's important for us to have a significant presence on the Web. Our interactive Web site permits access to information on NADAP's employment services, counselor training and welfare-to-work initiatives. We also provide research information and links to other programs and organizations throughout the country. Through the Web, we can effectively reach individuals, business and industry, agencies, students, educators and other constituencies. E-mail and Distribution Lists Like others, we use e-mail and attach presentation materials as files. But I'm told that we've taken this further, in ways that might serve as good examples for other nonprofits. Here's how. When I come across articles or stories that I'd like to share with NADAP's Board of Directors, legislators, funders, people in the media or colleagues, I use the address book that's built into the e-mail program on my computer, attach the scanned file and e-mail it to groups or selected individuals. Within minutes, I can send information to thousands of people who can use and distribute it, all at minimal cost to my organization. The power of this distribution-list feature is transforming when used the way we do. It's so much a part of the way I work now that I was surprised to learn, during the preparation of this article (which was also e-mailed), that other organizations apparently haven't discovered it or its uses, or use it to the extent we do. Yet it's built right into ordinary e-mail software that's probably already sitting on your organization's computers. Video Teleconferencing I belong to statewide and nationwide associations and coalitions. We often have video teleconferencing meetings with affiliates. This encourages greater participation, reduces the expense and time of traveling, and allows the conduct of business. NADAP is now setting up Business Advisory Councils in other communities to assist them with their welfare-to-work initiatives. To hire qualified candidates from across the nation, we're now looking at doing employment interviews through video teleconferencing, offered at Kinko's and other sites. This way we can advertise nationally and interview more applicants in less time, at a cost of only $300 to $400 per interview. I've been asked why we're not using desktop video for this on our own computers, now that it's so inexpensive to buy and use -- far less than booking one interview at professional video conferencing sites, and you own it to use forever. Two reasons: Candidates may not have access to it, and the significantly greater quality of professional video conferencing is really important to us in order to get all the nuances of live interviews. NADAP can be reached on the web at www.nadap.org, via e-mail at iinfo@nadap.com, or telephone (212) 986-1170. |
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