In Spring 2001, a group of five students and two faculty researchers at the University of Richmond interviewed 20 non-profit directors in the metro Richmond area to learn about their use of information technology. The resulting report — "Assessing the Information Network Technology Use Among NonProfit Organizations in Metro Richmond" — provided the blueprint for ConnectRichmond.

Below is the interview protocol used by the University of Richmond in the planning stages of ConnectRichmond, which is described on their website as "a free and growing network of information resources for citizen and community leaders, particularly those in the nonprofit sector, with a common interest in building a stronger community through information-sharing." A recent article on ConnectRichmond celebrates their fifth year in operation.

INTERVIEW PROTOCOL

Hello, my name is _____________. I am one of several students at the University of Richmond working with nonprofit organizations to develop our community’s information technology infrastructure.

I would like to schedule a personal interview that will take about 20 minutes to discuss your current use of computer and information technology, uses you would like to have, and ideas about how to get to where you would like to be.

Is there a time that I can call or come by?

Next time:

Remind them of who you are and why you are calling. Then say: Last February, 55 representatives of local nonprofits, colleges and universities met to discuss new ways that local colleges and universities could contribute to community-based efforts in the Richmond area. The group identified information technology, specifically access to information resources and coordination of efforts to help strengthen their programs, as an area in which the academic community could help.

Since then, we have been working to develop useful resources. I’d like to ask you some questions about your current needs and practices. All responses will be confidential.

Name of Organization:

Primary Target Population:

Mission:

Number of staff:

Annual budget:

The first set of questions concern current use:

1. Would you rate your organization’s current use of the internet as:

Very advanced Advanced Average Low Very Low

2. Can you estimate how many ours per week the average staff member spends on the internet?

3. Who handles the information and computer technology in your organization? What is their job title?

∑ Approximately how much time (%) does that person spend on this work?

4. Which individuals use information technology most in their every day work?

∑ Approximately how much time (%) does that person spend on this work?

5. What specific information and computer technology tools does your organization use?

Allow them to answer. Then ask if they use

∑ list serv

∑ organization website

∑ news groups

∑ web rings [rings are a group of sites that address similar issues]

∑ research or literature

• databases

6. How many staff have computers and how many computers have access to the internet?

7. What is the speed of your connection?

8. Do you run on a network?

9. What websites and other resources have you found most helpful related to information technology (either education or information)?

10. (For organizations already advanced in internet use): How did you get to your advanced state? Who in your agency did the most to get you here and who outside of your agency provided assistance?

11. How do you and would you like to use information and computer technology? (they respond as we look over specifics)

∑ agency referrals

∑ education and training

∑ access to policy/legislation information

∑ funding

∑ evaluation

∑ organizing your constituents

∑ case management

∑ billing and reimbursement

∑ coordination of resources/connecting with other nonprofits

∑ communication (Specify)

∑ to meet immediate needs

∑ other

12. What information would you like that is hard to get? Do you know of any steps your organization could take that could move you in that direction?

Now I would like to ask you some questions regarding possibilities:

1. Looking back over the current computer and information technology in your organization, how could local information available through the internet help you? How could it help integrate and enhance your services and programs?

2. Have you budgeted for computer and information technology:

∑ hardware

∑ software

∑ training

∑ staff

∑ maintenance

3. How receptive is your staff to new computer and information technology?

4. What have you found most useful in giving them the skills they need?

5. Do you have a long-range technology plan?

∑ Would such a plan be useful?

∑ Would you work on such a plan if you had resources to work with?

6. What data do you collect? For example, people served, nature of the services provided, numbers of people you are unable to serve. How would this information be helpful to others?

7. Would you be willing to share such information with the community through a common resource such as a website or a report on social indicators?

9. Do you see problems with information sharing such as this? If yes, ask for specifics

The final set of questions relates to barriers to technology usage:

1. What concerns do you have about increased use of computer and information technology?

∑ Falling behind

∑ Confidentiality

∑ Loss of personal contact

∑ Other?

2. If all barriers (e.g., money, tools, training) disappeared, how could computer and information technology fulfill your organization's mission?

3. What do you need to improve your current use of computer and information technology?

4. Nonprofit organizations in other cities have found an information broker helpful. This person maintains a website and posts information from reports and about local resources, events, etc.

∑ Is such a person needed here?

∑ What information should that person track and post?

∑ Who comes closest to meeting that role for you now?

5. Have you looked for technology funding?

Is it available locally or nationally?

6. Would you be interested in participating in Connect Richmond by reviewing our research and providing feedback as the project develops?

7. Do you have any suggestions or further comments?

Thank the respondents for their time and interest.