Technola : Public Interest Law & Technology Updates & Commentary : Matthew Burnett & Kate Bladow : Tech Advice for the Non-Profit Legal Sector

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Kudos to Glenn Rawdon, Jane Ribadeneyra, David Bonebrake, and the other Legal Services Corporation staff who made last week's Technology Initiative Conference in Albuquerque happen.  The agenda was packed with terrific sessions, including a keynote by Steven B. Levy, author of Legal Project Management: Control Costs, Meet Schedules, Manage Risks, and Maintain Sanity; discussions about cloud computing; and two opportunities to "Ask the Experts."

A few things I took away from the conference:

• Stop playing the "Bring me a rock" game. If you want something from another staff member or volunteer, give them details and don't expect them to read your mind. (From Steven B. Levy's keynote "What's Standing Between Attorneys and Their Clients? It's About Time.")
• Programs must regularly train staff and volunteers on information security. Opportunities to train staff and volunteers are everywhere: initial orientation, monthly or yearly staff meetings, when problems happen, and so on. Also, you should give staff and volunteers written instructions to follow when they need to secure their cell phones, Wi-Fi networks, or home computers, if they are using them for work. (From the "Ask the Experts" session with Donald Carder and William Guyton.)
• People are curious about mobile applications, but few programs have invested resources in mobile applications. One exception is FrontlineSMS:Legal, which uses text messaging to deliver legal information.

I've posted materials from the two sessions that I participated in. Materials from the first session, "Conversing Online: Using Social Media to Engage with Your Community," which I presented with Joyce Raby, include the slides, a website disclaimer, a listening checklist, and a planning checklist. In my "5 Easy Things Law Firm Staff & Volunteers Can Do to Improve Information Security" Ignite slides, you'll find the resources I pointed out. A huge thank you to William Guyton, Donald Carder, and Ken Montenegro for inspiring this presentation

If you are looking for additional information and reflection on the TIG Conference, check out Joyce Raby's Notes from TIG Conference 2011 in ABQ and Richard Zorza's Celebrating the Access to Justice Technology Community — Thoughts for Next year TIG Grants and Direction. - K