20/08/2010 – Lasa’s technology conference offers new opportunities for efficiency in the third sector
Third sector organisations and community groups can harness new technologies to help them deliver their services, cost effectively and efficiently, when they attend The 2010 Lasa European Not-For-Profit Technology Conference on 28 and 29 September.
Lasa, a second tier charity providing organisations with practical support and advice on technology, will be hosting the event (formerly known as the Circuit Rider Conference). This year's theme is ‘Will the Cloud Save the Sector? Opportunities for Efficiencies and Innovation'. Delegates attending the two-day conference at the Garden Museum in London can book tickets from just £100.
For the first time Lasa will hold a new "unconference" hour, in the first day afternoon, where any participant can run an informal session, which relates to the theme of the conference. This will be a great way of giving space for interesting and vibrant discussions on subjects that matter most to delegates.
The conference, which is supported by appiChar and the Big Lottery, will provide the opportunity for delegates to find out how cloud technologies can benefit their organisation by demonstrating the versatility they can provide for contact management, document storage, collaboration, work distribution and networking.
Through a series of debates, presentations and networking and a panel discussion, featuring leading cloud service providers and advocates, people attending the conference will learn how to plan for the cloud; how the cloud can benefit project management and outsourcing; issues related to data protection; and learning and working with volunteers using this new technology.
Andy Gregg, Chief Executive at Lasa, said: "With limited resources available, many third sector organisations and small community groups are struggling to cope with the demands being placed on them. Cost and expertise often prevent organisations from benefitting from the convenience that technology offers.
"The potential benefits that the Cloud offers to organisations lacking in financial resources are incredible. Users can access web-based tools or applications through a web browser, as if it were a program installed locally on their own computer.
"Lasa is committed to raising awareness and understanding of technologies across the third sector and providing strategic and technical support, to help overcome barriers to accessing these highly beneficial innovations."
The conference will start at 09:30 on Tuesday 28 September and finish at 16:45. Wednesday's session will begin at 09:30 and finish at 13:00. Details about the event and booking forms are now available
In addition, this year, for the first time, Lasa is running FREE technology surgeries for London voluntary organisations on Monday 27 September. Lasa is gathering together eminent "surgeons" who can give advice and information on a wide range of issues from websites, open source software, fundraising, the CTX software and hardware donation programme to networks, security and social media.
The event will take place at Charity Technology Trust's offices at CAN Mezzanine in Old Street, N1 between 13:30 and 17:30.
Find out more about the surgeries and registration