Outreach and Website Development
Organization:
Oakland Technology Exchange (OTX) West VISTA Name:
Jasmine Shepard
Program Start:
7/2009
Program End:
7/2010
Project Description:
Creating a successful, user-friendly, all-inclusive database of technology organizations and WiFi locations will require a time and effort commitment that is beyond our means at this time. A CTC VISTA member will help us expedite the process of developing the database, and allow us to finally get this project off the ground.
- Research and catalog organizations that offer technology services
- Establish and manage relationships with technology organizations
- Develop and maintain the “Digital Inclusion Oakland” website
- Help update the OTX West website
Project Outcome:
The corps member created the website getconnectedoakland.org. She researched computer related resources (i.e. education and training, tech support, free internet hotspots, where to purchase or acquire a free refurbished computer) in Oakland and the surrounding area. This information is now available on the website. The member has also spent time creating fliers and other marketing tools to get the word out about the website to the citizens of Oakland. The member has also sat in on computer classes taught by other organizations and shared information with them about open source software and other free online resources that can enhance their current curriculum and training.
Now that the website is up and running, we can now refer our clientele to the website for any technology needs. We also use the website to locate resources and recommend them to the community we serve. The website will be maintained by staff members at OTX West. Former VISTA member, Jasmine, has been hired and will be one of the main people maintaining the site.
Jasmine also created online Google forms for our volunteer registration and computer class registration and sign in. We used paper registration forms and needed an easy way to convert our paper forms to online forms for easy access.