Mission IT Help

From MissionTechWiki

Types of Help

There are a number of types of help available for mission organizations or missionaries.

Mission Organizations

• Email/Phone help - email your questions to someone and they respond
• Remote access help - contact someone and they can remotely manage your server, either "watching" as you do the work, or doing it for you.
• On site, local volunteer help. There are many christians in IT. Many of them are willing to help out mission organizations that are local to them.
• On site, local paid consultants - Some consulting organizations are able to help out missions at a fraction of the cost as other computer consulting firms.
• On site, help from afar - Either a short-term trip or some organizations like LightSys can help out by sending a consultant or LAN member (one of their volunteers) to visit you in person.

Missionaries

• First, contact your own mission organization's home office and speak to your IT person. Occasionally your organization will have policies that need to be followed in regard to fixing your computer.
• Email/Phone help - email your questions to someone and they respond
• Remote access help - contact someone and they can remotely manage your computer, either "watching" as you do the work, or doing it for you.
• On site, local volunteer help. There are many christians in IT. Many of them are willing to help out missioaries that are local to them.
• On site, help from afar - Some of the short-term trips are geared towards helping out missionaries on the field with their computer probems.

Non-profit/charity support organisations

Some of the concerns of Christian Missions (shortage of money, volunteer staff) are shared by non-profit/charity organisations and there exist several organisations or networks to support the use of IT in non-profits/charities.

UK

• CITRA - The Charity IT Resource Alliance The website has whitepapers, news and forums on Charity and IT use.
• Charities Resource Network - "The Charities Resource Network is the online information service of the Charity Finance Directors’ Group. It provides access to an extensive database of documents and information provided by those working in the charity sector, enabling charities to share knowledge and experience." It has sections on IT, Finance and HR.

US

• NTEN - "The Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network (N-TEN) works to support the diverse people and organizations who help nonprofits employ technology effectively."
• Tech Soup - "The Technology place for Nonprofits". One of their services is the "product philanthropy service that helps nonprofits get donated and discounted technology products at the lowest possible cost".

Where to go for help

The following are places to get help

• You could join the ICCM email lists and ask for advice. This is more for IT professionals working with missionaries rather than individuals.
• You could try Wycliffe Associates UK whether you need help or want to give help.
• MissionaryTechSupport.com also provide IT help for missions, as well as training
• LightSys provides assistance to mission organisations, especially in the USA, but also elsewhere.
• Crosscape Technology Ltd provides assistance to mission organisations, especially in Australia but also elsewhere.
• Missionary Tech Team provides various services to mission organizations and missionaries.

Original page: http://www.missiontech.info/wiki/Mission_IT_Help
from the MissionTech Wiki created by the International Conference on Computers and Missions