We’re kicking off 2025 with something new – Our “Local User Groups” for not-for-profit organisations using Infoodle (a locally-based CRM specifically created for use by charities and churches) and Tableau (Data visualisation software).
Why a User Group? Software providers offer all kinds of online support resources, training and online help to help you get to grips with their software. But sometimes it’s really helpful to have some local contacts, someone working in an organisation just like yours who is using the software every day, who you can yack with about how they are using the product, their successes, their struggles, the elements of the software they couldn’t do without and their future thinking about where they want to go next with it.
As an organisation SociaLink started using Infoodle in 2023 – as a better way to track our engagement with the sector, the work individual team members are doing with organisations and as a tool to inform reporting. Since then we’ve talked with a couple of other groups who are also using Infoodle and now have another layer of support and engagement, with our operations personnel from each organisation able to share ideas about real-world use and work-arounds within the software. It’s been great to share how we’ve made Infoodle our own, what that looks like and to know there’s someone sitting in another for-purpose organisation down the road who you can brainstorm and problem-solve with who’s not a software person but is a social sector hero just like you!.
Similarly the Community Insights team have been using and promoting Tableau as a data management and visualisation tool since 2021 when we started running Tableau training workshops and building Tableau dashboards for local groups. At the first meeting of the Tableau Local User group we’ll get groups who are using Tableau to share how they’re using Tableau, showcase some of their dashboarding work and share their successes and struggles and together we can consider next steps.
The first Local User Group sessions we’re running, will be in-person meetups. But after that we’re thinking we may meet online – it will be up to the group to decide what they want to get out of such a group and the structure/format that will work for them.
You might be at the beginning of your journey with Infoodle or Tableau, or a seasoned user – everyone is welcome. And if you would like to engage but can’t make that first meeting, let us know and we’ll keep you in the loop. Here’s the link to register or contact us.
