SSO is a way of leveraging existing accounts from trusted sources to make logging in more secure, quicker and easier. It mostly utilises Oauth 2 to create a connection between us and the trusted source we are trying to authenticate with.
We have added Facebook, Google, and LinkedIn (admin and providers only) to our login on TeamKinetic.
Why?
As we interact online we are frequently asked to create accounts, along with a password and most usually our email address. We can forget passwords for sites we don’t use often or can get irritated having to login time and again.
Using SSO we can ask a trusted source, such as Facebook, to authenticate your email address. If you are already logged into Facebook with a matching email address you’ll get logged in immediately simply by clicking the login with Facebook button. You won’t need to enter your email address or password at all! You don’t need to remember another password and you don’t need to type in your email address and password over and over.
Do I share my personal data?
When we connect with Oauth we have to tell the source we are using what information we want back. In the case of SSO its just your email address. When you first sign in using Oauth you will notice that you have to say yes to sharing that information. That is the only information that we will be able to obtain.
What will it look like on the TeamKinetic?
We are starting to roll out this feature to all users and it will look like this. Keep an eye out for it appearing for you before Friday 7th February.
We have been slowly pushing out our 2020 Q1 interim changes for v1.4.1 and this will be complete by 7th February 2020.
You’ll have noticed a few differences already but these are the highlights, along with many bug fixes.
Improved Accessible Universal Search
The universal search is super useful but we know some customers are having trouble with the time delay used before searching and focusing the mouse on the results box.
This was done to improve its accessibility because without that switch of focus to the results window users of assistive technology and keyboard only users, would find it difficult to access the results.
We have listened to the feedback and have completely redesigned the universal search so that it is now even more accessible without annoying mouse users by switching focus.
The same results panel will appear but it now captures keyboard inputs so that using up and down, escape and return will enable keyboard users to navigate the list without ever switching the focus from the search box.
In addition all the correct ARIA attributes have been added and an additional assertive announcement for screen readers that will let the user know how many results have been returned and how to navigate them.
Login With Social Media (Single Sign On)
You’ll see a change to all login pages shortly; admin, provider, and volunteer login pages will have additional buttons for logging in with Google, Facebook, and for providers and admins, LinkedIn.
Your registered emails will have to match of course but if they do and you are already logged in with Google, Facebook or LinkedIn, you’ll get bumped straight to your dashboard just by clicking one of the social media sign in buttons. The first time you do this you may be asked to give TeamKinetic permission to receive your email address, we have to get that in order to match your account.
New Search Behaviours
We have adjusted the way the search filters are added to make them more accessible. Previously when you selected the type of filter it would be added automatically to the search. This renders it unusable for keyboard only users as they are not able to skip through the available filters without triggering their addition. So we have added a physical button you use to add the filter and some other improvements to make the search accessible.
New Search Filters
We have added some new filters to opportunity, provider, and volunteer searches, and also rearranged some others.
The new TYPE filter now contains multiple types of opportunity you can filter by, sessional, flexible, applying, and requiring references. We will be adding more as we test them.
For volunteer search we have added date FIRST and date LAST joined an opportunity along with a LINKED TO filter for finding which volunteers are linked to which providers.
Improved Reporting Text
We have updated the help tool tips on the reporting page to better explain what data is being shown. In particular around what is meant be converted, new, active, etc.
Universal Search Updates
The ordering of results has been changed so that older, less active volunteers, opportunities, and providers are less likely to appear in the top 5 results that are shown if there are many matches.
Dashboard Updates
We’ve altered the open opportunities display to remove the open/closed status (because of course they are all open!) and switched in a text category status which is also an accessibility improvement as the category is not communicated solely with colour.
There are lots of other smaller improvements, like adding more notifications to the top left notification area when actions are taking place, standardising button behaviour, harmonising more user interface elements and generally cleaning up!
Students are continuing to volunteer more and more as the years go on. But how can you continue to support the retention of your student volunteers during their time at university?
Get the opportunities right
Providing the right opportunities to present to your students, is of course, rule number one. Research shows that 95% of student volunteers are motivated by a desire to improve things or help people. This should be taken into account when providing opportunities for your students.
Try to remember that students have many different needs therefore a wide spectrum of opportunities will help recruit and retain them. It should also be noted that many students have other commitments running alongside their degrees. Commitments restrict the time students can volunteer, but by creating one of the opportunities, students have more flexibility and don’t have to commit to a specific time frame each week, making participation higher.
Engage
Engage students by promoting upcoming opportunities. Take advantage and use the connections in your university network as a platform to promote. For example, the student union, sports centre, and careers centre. This will then attract a wider range of students to your opportunities. Student union officer and also previous volunteers will also be able to spread the word of volunteering opportunities amongst students. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to get students volunteering.
Support and report
Consistent support and feedback will be essential to retaining your volunteers. Volunteers want to feel valued for their efforts.
Volunteers should be aware of who their first point of contact is and how to connect with them. Students first point of contact may be ambassadors, volunteer managers or the coordinators.
Besides members of staff and ambassadors, students should be given the option to join drop-in sessions with other student volunteers. This then allows students to meet and interact with new people who have similar interests.
But most importantly, just say thank you by any mean possible. You’d be amazed by the number of people who just forget those two magic words.
Keep students in the loop
Stay alert! Make sure to be in touch with interested volunteers within 24 hours of them making initial contact. To say thank you for showing interest in volunteering, and to let them know of any upcoming important dates which they could be apart of.
Don’t get beside yourself on no shows or last-minute drop-outs. Students are very busy, so continue to keep them in the loop for future volunteering opportunities.
Be meaningful and impactful, but you don’t need to be deadly serious all the time, loosen up a little. Create space for having a laugh and a banter.
If you want more information about how TeamKinetic’s volunteer management software can help you and your organisation, feel free to visit our website.
Recently I had the opportunity to speak with Aisha Labefo-Audo from The University of East London. She has given TeamKinetic some amazing feedback relating to how they use TeamKinetic volunteer management over at UEL and why they continue to enjoy our service to this day.
Let the interview begin…
What is your role at UEL?
“Civic Engagement and Volunteering Coordinator.”
Why did you start looking for volunteer management software?
“We began looking for volunteer management software because we wanted students to be able to apply for volunteering opportunities and allow organisations (providers) to be able to upload their volunteering opportunities as well. Also, we wanted a volunteer management system where students could log their volunteering hours.”
How did you come across TeamKinetic?
“We found TeamKinetc volunteer management software online almost five years ago.”
What benefits has TeamKinetic volunteer management provided for UEL?
“A lot to say the least. One of the key benefits of the system to our university is allowing students to browse through opportunities, apply/join and log in their volunteering hours.”
How was the implementation process of TeamKinetic?
“It was okay. We had a school visit from Steve, who talked about the benefits of the system and we were more than happy to proceed.”
Does TeamKinetic meet the needs of the universities volunteering department and why?
“Yes it does, although most things are done manually and we have to encourage students to log in their volunteering hours and open and reopen opportunities. But it is a nice platform to capture students volunteering.”
How do students find using the software?
“Most students find using the software easy enough. Some students just need a little hand in logging their volunteering hours, but once they’ve been shown they seem to grasp using the system.”
On average how many opportunities do you advertise for students?
“Over 60 sometimes more opportunities. This varies as opportunities open and close all the time. We advertise different kinds of roles that will support students to gain the skills and experiences they need for the real world of work.”
Are you satisfied with the training support from TeamKinetic?
“So far so good. I am hugely happy and satisfied with the online support from TeamKinetic.”
Would you recommend other universities to get in touch with the TeamKinetic volunteer management?
“Definitely, I did so last term. Someone wanted to decide if they should go for TeamKinetics and I gave them the pros and cons of the system. The pros were far more than the cons.”
Any other comments?
“We have been using the platform for almost 5 years now and we have really enjoyed using it. Sometimes I feel somethings could be improved a little. However, one thing I have come to realise from looking at all kinds of different systems, is that there is no perfect volunteer management platform out there. I look forward to what TeamKinetic has to offer in the future.”
Again thank you soo much Aisha for honest and detailed feedback.
If you want more information about how TeamKinetic’s volunteer management software can help you and your organisation, feel free to visit our website.
Find us on social media: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. call us on 0161 914 5757, we’re always happy to chat!
Many children dream wildly about becoming a firefighter when they’re older, many children would consider this to be their ultimate dream job. It certainly was mine for many years. Sadly, of the many that dream, few actually become firefighters later in life.
However, those who continued to dream heroic fantasies have been continuing them by helping to fight the detrimental fires that have been taking place in Australia.
Becoming a volunteer firefighter in the UK is not well-renowned. But in America and Australia volunteer training is highly extensive, requiring hard work and valiant commitment to the community. Smaller towns and villages in such places rely on volunteer firefighters to respond quickly to incidents, perform firefighting duties, and provide assistance and support to full-time paid firefighters.
Ultimately, ‘volunteering’ means there are no monetary benefits for volunteer firefighters risking their lives. However, many volunteer firefighters are honoured and proud to be able to serve and protect their local communities – which is the greatest reward of all.
Australia
Volunteer Firefighters
The Australian wildfires are expected each year during the summer, marking it the fire season. Hot and dry conditions permit perfect conditions for a blaze to start. This season is always particularly dangerous proving more so than ever this Australian summer, the worst seen in decades. The last significant wildfires were Black Saturday 2009.
Wildfires have swept across 17.9 million acres of woodland and national parks, also effecting the largest cities Melbourne and Sydney – with the state of New South Wales being the worst struck. A total of 27 people have died and over 480 million animals.
The video above is merely human kindness towards a fellow friendly koala. Many people, like those above, have taken their own actions to help desperate wildlife.
The bushfires are continuing to blaze and challenge the brave and noble volunteer firefighters which are risking their lives to save their country. Many firefighters have been injured and lost homes and their own lives.
The New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) is the largest in the world, with 70,000 members across 2,002 brigades. The NSW RFS has received a spike (five times their usual amount) in applications of people wanting to become volunteer firefighters due to the ongoing events.
The Australian Prime Minister recently announced that volunteer firefighters will receive up to 6,000 Australian dollars if called out to battle blazes for more than 10 days. The Prime Minister said the compensation was necessary so that the NSW fires commissioner was able to continue to call out the volunteer force from their usual jobs – as the bushfires continue.
TeamKinetic volunteer management software
Our thoughts are with those in Australia and those being directly impacted by the fires. Please support The NSW RFS here. These horrific events should not be ignored.
Recently TeamKinetic spoke with one of our current University clients, The University of Manchester. We had the chance to speak with Ellen Stephenson who works in sports development. The university has been using TeamKinetic to manage their student volunteers for a number of years now, having developed a good relationship with the university we thought it was only right to get some honest feedback about our system.
Ellen over to you…
What is your role at The University of Manchester?
Sport Development Coordinator – Employability and Workforce.
Why did you start looking for volunteer management software?
We were using an old system called Coachweb and as part of a Manchester volunteering group recommendation, we were all advised to move to TeamKinetic.
How did you come across TeamKinetic?
My colleague knew Chris Martin and was introduced to the Manchester volunteering group.
How was the implementation process of TeamKinetic?
It was not too painful. Moving to a system which would make life easier in the long run always gives you hope. We had a lot of support from the development team and the support of a TeamKinetic FaceBook users group which had regular meetups to share ideas, see new features and ask questions.
Does TeamKinetic meet the needs of the universities sports department?
Yes! For volunteering at our sports department it really works.
How do students find using the software?
When I have explained how to use the software generally most students are happy and confident enough to use the system.
Are the staff at TeamKinetic helpful and happy to help, can you recall any experiences?
The team are very happy, friendly and helpful and we have a good rapport because we have known some of the team members for such a long time. If I need a quick answer I would not hesitate to pick up the phone, but I do try to use the online help for technical issues.
Would you recommend other universities to get in touch with the TeamKinetic and why?
I would recommend that universities do make contact with TeamKinetic and enquire how the software can be used to fit them, it’s been very beneficial over the years. Maybe it can be beneficial to others.
We’d like to thank Ellen for her answer and her time. It’s greatly appreciated.
For any University or any organisation for that matter interested in learning more about volunteer management software, visit our website or call us on 0161 914 5757. We are always happy for any inquiries and any information we can possibly give.
The Christmas holidays are here, children, teenagers and young adults, will all soon be, if not already, happily nestled at home enjoying the Christmas break. Lucky for them, unfortunately, some of us are still at work. But wherever you are this Christmas, home, with friends or at the grandparents, I hope you’re surrounded by people you love at this festive time.
However for some, Christmas is not the most wonderful time of the year, it’s quite the opposite. Thousands of people across the UK will not have a family to go to this Christmas, or friends to be with or grandparents to eat biscuits with. Which in this country of plenty is tragic, and I believe not fair, because surely everyone deserves to be happy this Christmas.
More than 5% of adults admit to being lonely, women more so than men. According to age UK, 1.7 million older people haven’t met up with a friend or family member in over a month. Many just describe Christmas as ‘just another day’. It’s a time of the year that exacerbates loneliness, so reach out, re-connect, and make someone less lonely this Christmas.
Step aside materialism, Christmas is the season of giving
Share your love
Volunteering this Christmas might just hit the spot for you. The true spirit of Christmas is giving, so why not give your time to help others? Many foodbank providers this Christmas are expecting to be very busy. See Lifeshare, a food bank local to us here in Manchester, helping to give those less fortunate a warm, safe and welcoming environment.
The quickest way to find your nearest foodbank is simple, just conduct a quick Google search I’m sure there will be one near you. As there are 800 more food banks in the country than there are McDonald’s, and I’m sure you know there’s a lot of them!
Reach out to old pals
F R I E N D S do we really need them? YES
Many of us have old friends that have been almost forgotten with time. Well now is the time to reconnect. It’s not uncommon losing touch with friends, as people face many different changes in their lives, career changes, moving to different cities, and new relationships. As we all become consumed by busy lives, close friends soon become distant and the messages become less and less.
So make contact and reconnect, a simple Christmas card, text or email would easily break the silence that should have never been.
Be an open book
Open and free
Try being honest and open about how you are feeling. There are a lot more benefits to being honest and open than there are to being closed off. Honesty attracts honesty. People who are trustworthy and honest attract trustworthy and honest friends. And those are the best friends to have.
Being an open book will allow you to release stress and tension. Keeping your feelings to yourself can reflect negatively on your mind. Talk to those close to you, don’t allow your thoughts to fester it will only make things worse.
So do try not bottling everything up this Christmas be open to everyone and improve your social presence. Enjoy yourself.
Netflix and chill
Such a terrible phrase, I have to admit. However, with the festive season fully locked on our digital platforms, it would not be right to ignore it. Many people help tackle their loneliness by diving deep into a good box set. And I have to agree, box sets are a perfect way to switch off and relax.
A personal touch I’d like to add is a glass of mulled wine and some Camembert, it’s not necessary, but snacks are essential.
We have decided to give you all a few tips on how you can get into the holiday spirit. This is the time of year for giving. How can you help others at this time?
Giving back to your community
In December there are usually lots of events on that will give everyone the chance to become engrossed in the community. This your chance to do good for society. People are the lifeblood of any community and effort into helping others can go a long way. Not everyone will have the ideal family Christmas this year and the things you do could really make a difference to them.
Things you can do vary with how much time you have. It can be something big like organising a Christmas fare or as little as helping someone with their shopping. All of these things help the community.
All these acts can go a long way, How are you going to help out this year?
Be kind to everyone
This point goes without saying. Being kind should be a trait we should have all year round. We feel this is particularly important at Christmas. Everyone should be treated with kindness regardless of their circumstances. Random acts of kindness can help brighten anyone’s day and can do more than you think in this Christmas period.
As said before not everyone will have the perfect Christmas. Doing good for others will make the world a happier place and usually, all this takes is a bit of time and love.
Spend time with your loved ones
Giving up the time to spend with loved ones can be challenging, but it’s not impossible! During busy periods we can often forget the things that are most important to us. Friends, Family, having fun and just taking a seat back and doing nothing!
The average person now works more hours than ever before due to the growing pressures of having tasks complete on time. Research found that more than 5 million workers did around 2 billion unpaid hours of work during 2018. Teachers and educational professionals work the most unpaid hours on average each week, at 12.1 hours. Chief executives worked 11.4 extra hours per week, followed by legal professionals at 10.2 hours more.
We think here at TeamKinetic that your happiness and health comes first. So this Christmas, make time for your loved one and enjoy the holidays because deep down that is what really matters.
Today is the chance to celebrate your hard work, so sit back and bask in the efforts you have achieved over the last year. Today isn’t about anyone else. It’s all about you.
Let’s take a minute to see what exactly you’ve been up to.
Youth Hostels Association
YHA began recruiting more youth volunteers, the aim was to get more young people work-ready. YHA partnered with North Lindsey College, where students were encouraged to take a minimum of 30 volunteering hours of work experience. Students could take part in a number of projects including building bug houses, decorating, gardening and many more projects. As we all know qualifications are only half of your CV, having experience is just as essential. So congratulations to the YHA volunteers, in preparing the younger generations for the world of work!
Humanity Road
Every year Humanity Road have helped thousands of people around the world which have been affected by disasters. In 2018 alone, Humanity Road volunteers responded to 68 events in 31 countries. These events included 21 earthquakes, 17 floods, 7 wildfires, 12 hurricanes, 4 tornadoes, 5 volcanoes and 1 technology event. Humanity Road’s volunteers really excel themselves by aiding people to points of rescue in unpredictable disasters. If anyone deserves a day, it’s definitely you. Truly amazing work, done by people that care.
Nightstop
Nightstop volunteers allow young homeless people who require emergency accommodation to stay in their own homes overnight. Volunteers provide accommodation, a bite to eat and somewhere safe, where people are no longer in a vulnerable environment. We had the opportunity to visit Nightstop earlier in the year and we have to say the team of volunteers we met were incredibly friendly with many great stories. So a special happy volunteer day goes out to Nightstop and volunteers Helen Patrick, Peter Conroy, Rosemary Grovestock, Dave Batchelor and organiser Beth.
Liverpool Football Club Foundation
Liverpool FC works with local communities in and around Liverpool, aiming to deliver long-term change which is sustainable within these communities. Not just for current generations, but for future generations as well. In 2018 to 2019, LFC’s programmes attracted 28,630 children which took part in activities.
But a lot of the work LFC does couldn’t go without a helping hand from their volunteers. Me and Alex witnessed the contribution volunteers have first hand. We witnessed this earlier in the year when we volunteered alongside the experts of LFC’s volunteering team, which was a true pleasure to be apart of.
Happy International volunteer day to Dawn Georgeson, Michael Murray, Anas Usman, Paul and everyone else at LFC. I wish I could name you all but I’d be here all day.
Dreams Come True
Here at TeamKinetic, we have only recently begun working with Dreams Come True, so this is not only just the opportunity to say Happy International Volunteer Day, but also to say welcome aboard. Dreams Come True has a simple aim of enriching the lives of young people who have serious life-limiting conditions.
The volunteers and staff at Dreams Come True ensure that every young person and child has an unforgettable experience which fulfils their dreams and creates life-lasting memories. They aim to go above and beyond, treating all young people and families with the most respect through what can be challenging times.
TeamKinetic Volunteer Management
Uniting communities and bringing people together through volunteering is one of the main foundations of TeamKinetic. One of the many benefits of this job is meeting lots of fascinating people, who are all so driven to achieving various objectives and helping others before themselves.
Note: One of the greatest Christmas movies EVER! besides Love Actually
Christmas is slowly gaining upon all of us, for those with children it can be a time of bliss and happiness. To wake up and see your children’s faces, as they quickly become overwhelmed by the sight of the over stacked present and a half-eaten carrot left by Rudolph. It’s also the time that we get to see all the family members that we hugely avoid all year, I mean love seeing… well at least pretend to for the day.
But before I continuously ramble on about how much I love Christmas (Bah humbug) I must dive into talking about gifting Santa’s real helpers.
Santa’s real helpers
Volunteers are very much the real helpers in the world. Like Elves, volunteers work tirelessly without pay and put the needs of others before themselves all year round. Such selfless acts should not go unrecognised. So I think it would only be right if we all rewarded our helpers with a little something this Christmas. A thank you is all very well and an excellent way to show your appreciation. But at Christmas, everyone loves a present.
I’ve made a list, I’ve checked it twice and I know which gifts are just right…
Custom thank you boxes
A cost-effective gift that can be customed to your helpers. Perhaps more for the lady helpers in the world, but will look very impressive under the tree. In the box could be bath bombs, creams, soaps and candles (no one holds a candle to you). You can thank me for that one later.
Handwritten cards
Simple but a handwritten heartfelt card with true meaning will pull at the heartstrings of your helpers. The words which you write will really count.
Helping hand tree
Volunteers love a personal touch! Which I highly recommend for those helpers who work with children. Using cut-outs of the children’s hands and getting them to write a small personal message. This would be a well-received gift.
Thank You for your Thyme Plant
Small but comical gesture for your helpers, after all, they have spent a lot of their thyme with you. Maybe it’s about thyme you gave some back… Okay, I’ll stop now.
Christmas Party
Go on throw a Christmas party, celebrate your volunteers for a whole evening. Awards, certificates and special guest speakers would help show your true appreciation to your helpers. Watch out for Mary on the double Ports though!
Everyone loves a mug
Now we know for a fact, volunteers love a good cuppa tea. And I’m sure as a volunteer manager you know only too well. So logically your helpers would probably appreciate a customised mug.
The true spirit
No matter what you end up giving your volunteers this Christmas, really it doesn’t matter. Providing you’ve put sincerity behind your gift I’m sure your helpers will be thankful to have received something.
