One of the things we’ve spent a lot of time discussing internally here at the Rescue Mission is how to continue to use web tools/technology to make us more effective in these lean financial times. In that spirit I’m announcing a new Rescue Mission policy of having all Mission Staff sign up for a Skype account
Let me explain the How, What, and Why of Skype and why I’m asking all of you to get plugged into this free service.
First the WHAT: Skype is service that allows users to talk, instant message, and video conference over the internet. There are free public versions (which is what I’m requesting you all to sign up for) and more advanced accounts. Signing up is easy and basically requires an email address, a name and a password.
Secondly the WHY: As I mentioned in an earlier blog, we are making every effort to be more effective in meeting our goal of giving hope to those we serve, while also keeping costs down and being as efficient as we can in theses difficult economic times. These factors have led us to believe that using technology, such as streaming classes between our different campuses, and using phone and video conferencing when appropriate, would be natural steps in our development. Having tried a few different types of services, I’ve determined that Skype would be the easiest and most widely used service to use for our ordinary, everyday type conferencing interactions. By all of us being available and signed in to Skype we can instant message or video chat at a moments notice without having to make big arrangments.
Lastly the HOW: I would like every Mission Staff member to sign up for a Skype account and make an effort to become fluent in using this service. While there are some who will certainly need to use this service more than others, I’m asking ALL staff to sign up for the account and be available to use the service while you are on your work shift. 1. Sign up for an account. 2. Add other Mission staff to your “follow list” so that you can see who is at their desk and able to reply to an Instant message, take a call or video chat. 3. When appropriate, sign-in to Skype while on your shift and allow it to run in the background while you do your tasks. As with other tools, such as phones, cell phones, email, etc., you must determine when you are doing tasks that require your focus and when you are available to interact. It may be that there are some tasks which will require more concentration and focus than others and may not wish to have Skype running in the background. 4. Use with discretion and wisdom. This is a tool that is available for us to use to increase efficiency and interaction, not to distract and divide your time. As with Facebook, Twitter and other tools, I believe that you will act as responsible adults and use your judgement as to how you will use this tool.
Let me anticipate a few comments:
1. I’m too busy to use Skype. Please use Skype when it will streamline your tasks and make it easier for you to connect with those at other sites.
2. I don’t have a video camera on my computer. Skype is useful for Instant messaging as well as phone calling, although we will be making efforts to invest in net cameras for many in the coming months, years.
3. I’ll never use it. I would like you to sign up and be available to use it. There will come a moment when you’ll need to participate in a large conference call on Skype and I don’t want anyone excluded because they’ve never taken the time to sign up and get acquainted with the tool.
4. I’m a people person, I’d rather just meet face to face. By all means, please continue to do so. There is no substitute for face to face interaction. With 6 locations there are many interactions of 5-10 minutes that could be done by Skype conference which would aid your communication.
5. I”m not a people person, I don’t want to be bothered. This is probably not the place for you. You need to be self-employed or work at the DMV.
6. My job doesn’t require it. I’m asking ALL staff to do sign up for this service. It will benefit you even if you expect that you’ll never use a computer for the rest of your days.
My Skype account is: DavidgCurry
I’m sure that there are many more questions that you may have, but I’d like everyone to first sign up and try using the service going into much further detial. I think that many of your questions will be answered as you use the service.
In the coming weeks we’ll email a list of Mission Staff accounts.
Thanks for you participation in making the Rescue Mission a great place to be and a fun place to work.
David Curry
P.S. A memo from Human Relations will be sent to each Staff member and You can direct any specifc questions to myself or Elis Taylor.
