HSP Research Foundation - Contacts Management System Design and Construct

“If charities are prepared to invest the time and energy required – and it is substantial – to the volunteer experience, they can achieve things that they otherwise could not because of the cost of professional services. We can now do things we only ever dreamed of with our previous system.”

The HSP Research Foundation Inc. is a registered charity made up of people from all parts of Australia who have a rare genetic disorder most commonly known as Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP). They aim to participate in and support global efforts to find a cure for this disease. The HSPRF is also the focal point for community and education for all its members, and works to raise funds for research towards a cure.

The Volunteer Project

Frank McKeown, President of the HSP Research Foundation, writes

“As a geographically dispersed, all-volunteer charity, we needed an easy-to-use, easily accessible database of our members. The choice of architecture and design as well as platform meant that we needed not only a good technician, but someone with experience and someone who knew how to consult.”

Software Test Analyst Ryan Keating responded to HSPRF’s ad on the goodcompany website. Ryan has generously donated his time to many organizations that needed his skills. Ryan says “The organizations passion for their cause and the things they see every day always motivates me to be a part of it.” You can read more about Ryan here.

“We feel extremely blessed and lucky that Ryan Keating responded to our goodcompany request. He had the requisite technical skills and knowledge, but moreover, he had focus, he was businesslike, he had energy and motivation and he consulted well – asked good questions and listened to our needs; explored options and possibilities and offered us choices.”

Having designed, created, tested and implemented the custom Web-based system, Ryan went on to further assist the organisation with commissioning, troubleshooting, continually improving and “continuing to do whatever maintenance is required to keep this most valuable of resources humming along”.

The match between Ryan and the HSP Research Foundation worked very well. Frank says

“It was a highly successful initiative and I cannot speak highly enough of Ryan as a person or what he contributed. It was first-class, selfless volunteering at its finest. We had never met Ryan and he has no association with our cause, yet we could not have been happier if he was a highly paid consultant. Top marks Ryan!”

“We now have a Web-based Contacts Management System that our volunteers can access anywhere any time. The CMS contains information which is the absolute lifeblood of our Foundation – containing information vital to communications, information, education, support, research and community development. It has increased our capacity and capability enormously. We can do things we only ever dreamed of with our previous system.”

Tips for community groups when managing volunteers

“Organisations need to be businesslike to be successful – small charities and non-profits run by volunteers included. People who are given jobs or who take on a role need to have the competency, confidence, energy and motivation to complete them as well as would be expected of paid staff.

The same applies to skilled volunteers… be businesslike with them. Respect the fact that they are professionals, that their time is precious, that they deserve an organised, effective, efficient client who is punctual, well-prepared for the project and provides both the commitment and support needed to the skilled volunteer and for the project to see it through to successful completion. Help them stay motivated by engaging them in why the particular project matters.”

What are your greatest challenges as a not-for-profit organisation?

“In our particular case it is scale and the issues that come with being tiny. The community that we represent is only around 300 Australia wide, with about 1500 total likely to have the disease statistically. Finding willing, dedicated and competent people to run the organisation and do what needs to be done is a big challenge. goodcompany can help organizations like ours find volunteers that are skilled, well-intentioned and full of goodwill.”