IT4Communities, which was set up in 2002 to help IT
professionals offer their skills to local charities and community
projects, has launched its inaugural awards for IT
volunteering.
The organisation, backed by the Worshipful Company of
Information Technologists and Computer Weekly, has more than 3,500
IT professionals registered to provide IT help to charities.
IT4Communities wants to use that support to highlight its
successes and attract still more IT professionals who wish to give
back to their communities in a structured way.
There are five categories for awards: the IT volunteer who has
made the biggest difference to their organisation, the IT
volunteering project that has had the most impact on organisations,
the most innovative project, the best charity to work for as an IT
volunteer, and an award for an IT volunteer and charity that have
worked together on a project that has had a direct, positive impact
on people with disabilities.
IT4Communities is looking for anyone who has been involved with
IT volunteering to put themselves forward for an award.
The judging criteria vary from award to award but, typically,
judges will be looking for evidence of clarity of aims, commitment
of time and skills, evidence of improved performance and impact on
the charity, management of the relationship between the volunteer
and the charity, and sustainability of the project.
Winners will be announced at the organisations’ annual
conference, which takes place on 14 November.
The conference itself will look at all aspects of IT
volunteering. Tom Ilube, chief executive of Richmond Informatics
and former CIO of Egg, will speak on why IT professionals should
volunteer and why companies should encourage them.
To participate or find out more, visit:www.it4communities.org.uk
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