NetSquared organizers are eligible to apply for US$200 micro-grants to help cover event expenses. Events must be held before June 30, 2017. See the application form for details.
Table of Contents
Event Specifications (general)
- Audience size: 5 – 50
- Venue: Office/meeting space, restaurant events room
- Equipment: Laptop and projector
- Timeframe: 60 – 90 minutes
Formats
This event can be delivered in several styles. Pick whichever works best for your local group.
1. View Video and Follow-Along
Play our recorded webinar and have the group follow-along using the slides and e-book.
- Timeframe: 90 minutes
- Audience: 5-50
- Equipment: Projector, speakers, laptop, internet connection.
What you will need
- Internet connection to stream Youtube video
- Projector, laptop and speakers
- Printed copies of ebook to distribute to attendees (print using project honorarium)
The e-book and slides can be downloaded below.
2. Presentation from a Local Expert
Recruit a local volunteer who can share their knowledge with your members. Maybe that expert is you! Feel free to adapt the format.
Topics could include: (these were all successful events for other NetSquared and Tech4Good groups)
- Looking for inspiration from other NetSquared groups? Check out their event descriptions from earlier Cloud and Microsoft events:
- Timeframe: 90 minutes (60 minute presentation and 30 minute Q&A)
- Audience: 10 – 50 (limited by the format your choose and your venue size)
- Equipment: Projector, laptop, internet connection
Recruiting Your Expert
Your community is full of cloud computing experts! If you’re looking to recruit an expert presenter try the following people:
- Your local Microsoft Store (they might also offer a venue)
- Your members, colleagues and co-organizers
- Previous presenters at your group
- Business contacts, especially in IT and technology
- Search meetup for a local user group to partner with. Topics like: Cloud, Office 365, Microsoft, Google, etc. might work
- Search the Microsoft Partner Directory or the Google Cloud Partner Directory and ask for a pro bono presentation
What you will need
- Internet connection
- Projector and laptop
- Printed copies of ebook to distribute to attendees (print using project honorarium)
Resources and Background Material
Key resources to to help with the presentation.
Video
https://youtu.be/R2q1FECAGBY?t=5m (Start at 5:00)
or download the .mp4 for online events
Slides
http://www.slideshare.net/TechSoupGlobal/webinar-is-the-cloud-right-for-you (Start on slide 15)
E-Book
You’ll want to print some copies to bring to your event.
Download at: http://info.techsoup.org/microsoft-cloud/
modern-nonprofits-use-the-cloud-2.original.pdf
Microsoft Starter Kit
Step-by-step videos to help you set up Microsoft Azure, Office 365, and Power BI.
http://eligibilityweb.azurewebsites.net/#/startertopic/
Tips
- TechSoup provides validation for the donation programs of two of the big cloud computing platforms, Microsoft Office 365 and Google’s G Suite. All attendees should create their free TechSoup account before they arrive at the event.
- People love to get hands-on. Ask people to bring their laptop and follow-along.
Event Flow
- Event description for Meetup
- Pre event email (1 week before email)
- Post event email (day after event)
Event Description
Sample event description for use on your meetup.com page.
Feel free to edit this and adapt to your needs. You can import the event description directly into your meetup using the meetup template feature.
Event Title
Is the Cloud Right for Your Nonprofit?
Event Description
Wondering whether cloud-based software is right for your nonprofit? Not even sure what “the cloud” is or if it has a silver lining?
Join us to understand which cloud computing options make sense for your nonprofit, library or church. This meetup will help you understand and analyze the benefits and features of cloud-based products.
Topics covered:
1. Are cloud services right for you?
Learn about cost-effective and secure solutions that tackle your tech challenges.
2. What can cloud services do?
Collaborate, communicate, and stay on budget with donated and discounted cloud services.
3. Get pro tips on using cloud services.
Tips and advice from nonprofit cloud experts on choosing and using cloud services
4. How you can get free access to cloud services with your TechSoup account
Nonprofits libraries and churches — create your free TechSoup account now to verify eligibility.
Presenter
[Add the bio for your presenter here]
Social Media
How to give this event twitter love:
PRESENTER:
GROUP:
HOST:
VENUE:
SPONSOR: @msphilanthropic | @techsoup
NETSQUARED: #net2 | @NetSquared
[Please add any other twitter handles and hashtags for this event that I’ve missed!]
Pre Event Email
French version
Send 1 week before event
SUBJECT: Reminder: nonprofit cloud event
Thanks for RSVPing for our next event. Join us to understand which cloud computing options make sense for your nonprofit, library or church. This meetup will help you understand and analyze the benefits and features of cloud-based products.
This meetup is supported by TechSoup, a nonprofit that works with cloud providers like Microsoft and Google to help them manage their donation programs. Please create a free TechSoup account before you arrive to ensure you’re able to apply for the donated cloud products featured in the presentation. https://goo.gl/uBnxAc
DATE AND TIME:
LOCATION:
Post event email
Send the day after event
NOTE: test survey link to ensure that question #1 includes your city in the dropdown. If it doesn’t contact Eli ASAP.
SUBJECT: Nonprofit cloud survey, e-book and slides
Thanks so much for joining us for the nonprofit cloud event and we hope you learned about cost-effective and secure solutions that tackle your tech challenges.
Please complete the event survey. It will take less than 5 minutes: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3310386/NetSquared-Cloud-Meetup-Survey
Additional Resources
These nonprofit cloud resources will help you take your next step:
- Create your free TechSoup account now to verify eligibility for the cloud donation programs: http://bit.ly/net2cloud
- Download the Nonprofit Cloud e-book: http://info.techsoup.org/microsoft-cloud/
- View the recording of our cloud webinar: https://youtu.be/R2q1FECAGBY?t=5m
- Download the webinar slides: http://www.slideshare.net/TechSoupGlobal/webinar-is-the-cloud-right-for-you (Start on slide 15)
Good luck! And we’ll see you in the cloud!
Reporting Requirements for Approved Grant Applicants
If your micro-grant application is approved you will need to complete the following.
To Receive Micro-grant
No funds will be disbursed until your event is posted on your meetup.com or other approved events page. Email Eli the link to your event and then we will begin your grant transfer. Please allow up to three weeks for arrival.
Before the Event
You must email the “Pre-event email” to all attendees before the event. If your meetup isn’t held in English you’ll need to translate the document.
NOTE: if you translate please email a copy to Eli so that I can share with other organizers.
During the Event
During the event please capture the following:
- Photos
- A tweet send during the event that includes a photo and some of the following handles and hashtags: @msphilanthropic @techsoup #net2 |@NetSquared
Print off 5+ copies of the Modern Nonprofits e-book using the event grant and distribute to event attendees
After the Event
Within one week of the event:
- Send the “Post Event Email” to all attendees, and include a survey link.
- Send Eli the following:
- Event photo(s). These can also be uploaded to the public photo pool at http://www.flickr.com/groups/netsquared
If you have any questions reach out to the NetSquared Community Manager at eli@techsoup.org
Administation
Letter of agreement for honorarium
Modern Nonprofit Cloud Grant Agreement YOUR NAME HERE.docx