A step by step demonstration of how Google Map, Google Calendar, Flicker, YouTube, Style sheets and other simple web tools can be used by any NGO to communicate and collaborate. Free express versions of great software are now available from Microsoft and other commercial suppliers.

This workshop will look at some of the basics of DIY community research for voluntary organisations - especially needs assessment, programme evaluation and research for advocacy. It will tackle the tough questions of how can you know what to trust on the internet, and how do you know you've found the most important evidence on an issue. This interactive session will include a hands-on introduction to some of Garth's favourite free tools (for finding research, for doing surveys, for qualitative research, for working together on reports, etc). Come prepared with a real life question or issue you want to find out about.

Google Docs is a hosted service where you can create, store and share documents, spreadsheets, presentations and online forms. You can work on your own or collaboratively. You can also import docs from MS Office and Open Office. And best of all it's FREE - and it never breaks down. You can guarantee that all your documents will be safe and secure.

PILLARS recently moved from a network and server to Google Docs. Verna will take you through the process of setting up a Google Docs account and talk about the pitfalls that they encountered. Some of the Google applications PILLARS uses are:

• Spreadsheets
• Word processing
• Presentation
• Google Mail

Wordle is a fun, free and very easy to use web tool. It helps artistic and design novices create dramatic posters, labels, logos etc. At the workshop you will be shown some examples of it in use and will also get a chance to try your hand and learn to create something dramatic to promote your organisation.

This workshop will be presented by a member of Christchurch City Libraries' Learning Centre team.

This workshop will guide you through setting up your agency's website using WordPress. Having an up-to-date and attractive website is an essential part of any voluntary agency's public profile. WordPress makes it easy to set up a website at your own domain and is simple to learn. It's even easier when someone who knows how shows you the ropes. A case study will be presented and a website built from scratch.

This presentation will enlighten you as to the effective use of Twitter to:

• create brand awareness
• build support for your cause
• generate traffic to your website
• build your network

Focused on those who have either never used Twitter or have set up an account but have yet to benefit from the results, this seminar will guide you through the steps of starting your Twitter account, building your network, generating awareness and measuring click-throughs to your website. We'll also present some case studies of effective use by non-profits.

Learn tips and tricks for making Facebook work for you and your organisation. In an hour you'll see examples of what works well and what doesn't, learn the best applications for customisation and how to build a fan base then keep them interested. You'll also learn how to measure activity on Facebook - perfect for reporting to managers.

This is a workshop for people who've fooled around with Facebook but now want more. All applications, information, tips and tricks will be provided to take home, along with contact details for when you're stuck and need help.

Skype is a powerful communication tool that is often under utilised for tasks such as Instant Messaging and the plethora of telecommunication services it offers.

This workshop will demonstrate how Skype can be used as an alternative or to complement traditional telecommunications including but not limited to:

• Landline phone numbers
• Voicemail
• Cheaper SMS
• Video conferencing
• Instant Messenger
• Contacts database.
• Reduce monthly telephone rentals
• Roam the world with a NZ phone number.

Using very simple PowerPoint or similar software you will use our pictures to learn how to create a simple story with pictures. You can then return and translate what you have learned and use your own pictures. We will introduce you to some other tools to learn how to create a simple digital scrapbook which could be used in marketing your organisation or for an internal showcase of activities you are involved in. The possibilities are broad. These are not hard skills to learn and the session will be creative and fun.

This workshop will be presented by a member of Christchurch City Libraries' Learning Centre team.

A simple introduction into exciting new technologies which can help improve communication both within an organization and when dealing with the wider community. The workshop will explain how technologies such as mailing lists, wiki and blogs work as well as how they can benefit voluntary organizations. Much of the workshop will consist of a hands on tutorial with some of these technologies, to provide attendees with hands-on skills to implement these fantastic communication tools within their own organizations.