Because I'm a computer & web geek, oversight of our in-house computers and web-presence was written into my position description. (I think I've got an hour a week for maintenance and upkeep.)

My hope is that, over time, I'll be able to build a team that can do this work. Especially because we're going to be moving to Linux as our operating system of choice.

Christ's peace - r

I try to keep others involved (eg. the Office Manager) but when it comes to the hardcore geek stuff, I seem to be the only one with enough IT-savvy to do the work.

I once had a guy tell me that we should be using Linux in our church (more socially responsible, etc.), but I basically said the church could only go Linux if he took over support, because I had 0 familiarity with it at that time. Needless to say, it ended there. I've now spent some time with Ubuntu and could probably support it with a bit more time spent learning the nuts and bolts of it.

Mendall

I'm fortunate, in that a number of people in the congregation have been willing to explore Linux (and open source software in Windows, as well) - including some of our computer-types.

I figure it won't be long before we've got at least three or four people with enough experience with Linux to do our oversight.

I hope. *grin*

Christ's peace - r

we are a hodgepodge.

My husband does a lot of the AV work though custodians do a bunch of setup as well...and we are working at getting it less involved, with permanent installs/equipment.

We have hired folks..but it is a tough go...when do you pay a member..when are they a volunteer.   

our technology re networks etc is not the best; however, it does work...Part of the problem is it tends to be piecemeal as there is no standards or direction.

I will be interested to hear the variety of responses that comes in

The business of paying members for any work (IT, fixing a window, or whatever) can be tricky, esp. if that work is actually their "day job". I claim any expenses I incur for the church (buying patch cords for the network and that sort of thing), but my time is strictly volunteer. I know the church would be laying out $80+ per hour to get the same work done by the Nerds or Geeks and that I could easily charge the same given my background, but I treasure my church and want to see it run properly so I have no qualms about providing the advice and services gratis.

Mendalla

IT?  In church?  Say what?  That's almost as foreign a concept as office manager...

:)

The pastor and his wife.

The pastor.

Not in an official way.

That would be the pastor.

I have had three different church members approach me regarding the feasibility of setting up a computer room with multiple stations in the past year --- all with different reasons for doing so.

1.  Opportunity for young adults to provide guidance to seniors on computer items

2.  Youth bible study

3.   Research  -- how to identify and explore issues -- social justice, items, etc and training of same.

so....yup, there are people thinkin about it...and they approach me thinking of me as a geek...(mendella, i don't do hardware...wel, not uness it is server side registry settings to support apps)

 *Geek Alert!

Volunteers from the congregation do almost everything. They fix up the network when it crashes, help install the new printer, formed a committee to choose what ISP to use etc. The AV equipment is run by volunteers too, mostly one person, but they're trying to get a team together so several people can help. I'm the volunteer that does everything to write and update the content on the website. We have almost no staff: a minister and an office administrator and a part-time custodian. Almost everything is done by volunteers from re-painting the exterior and interior to keeping up the gardens. We don't have enough money to have any choice about it.

A church member has help setup our computer systems, and our website. He has a business of set-up and servicing businesses in the area with IT work. It was hard when we wanted to change internet providers,(as it was cheaper to bundle it), buthe realized it was a business decision.

We have volunteers who will help the secretary with support, but that can take a day or so for them to be available,but it saves money. Also,it lets people use their talents for the betterment of the church.

Smiles at the Squirrel.

Our church operates like a small business, it relies on the expertise of the staff (in this case that includes both paid and volunteers) but also will pay for outside professionals when needed.

Recently we had a major restoration of the organ and in doing so discovered a host of issues that were the direct result of "helpful amateurs".  The Chair of the Property Committee put it on record that from now on certain things - particularly jobs that could lead to the church burning down such as anything to do with electricity! - are to be done by "paid professionals".

LB - spot the smiles

Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.     Warren Buffett

Nothing to fear. We geeks aren't really all that scary (my T Rex avatar notwithstanding) :) Thanks for the responses so far (and to come), folks.

Mendalla

We had a professional set up our site and now we have a few people myself included that keep it updated. I get to keep the calendar up to date that is soooo much fun actually it is one of the pickiest jobs I have done there is not a repeat button so I have to physically fill in each day. I know that the site is being accessed so that is goo.

My son is the AV tech he gets paid by the school we worship in as the facility manager and does the powerpoint stuff on a volunteer basis. I am on the set up crew along with my son and one other person. After church the congregation helps with the tear down so that goes really fast.

Right now I am working on a hymn powerpoint library to make it easier in the future this has been a blast because I get to surf to find cool pictures for the hymns. My son has also been collecting pictures for a while for our services.

We have a church member who is an IT and he comes in and sets up our computors, printers etc.

I just have to remember who does what when something breaks down.

Ooooh, calendars.

I maintain the calendar for both the church's website and my job.  In my job I have to print out a large monthly version for the residents.  Being the lazy sod I am I hate having to type anything twice.  I discovered a free WinCalendar download that lets you convert the Outlook calendar into an editable print version which I can jazz up with pictures, colour and, of course, quotes.

So now I create everything in Outlook - which gives me all those little reminders of where I am supposed to be - that syncs with my Google calendar that I can access anywhere on line plus syncs with my home computer and create the print version.

Its calendar heaven I tell ya, calendar heaven!

LB -

except I have to remember to open Outlook or miss the reminders

I've been on a calendar, but I've never been on time.     Marilyn Monroe

Sounds cool. I'll have to look it up for myself.

Mendalla

Mendalla, here's the link

http://download.cnet.com/WinCalendar-for-Windows-Word-Excel/3000-2124_4-10735333.html

To get all the features its $25.00 - which I found worth spending (again for the lazy factor one, of the features was automatically putting in Canadian holidays which I needed for my job and to eliminate the watermark which I didn't want on my print versions because many of my residents have visual problems and it would only have confused things).

Hi LB and Mendalla:

I thought you too meant the calendar with Marilyn Monroe on it.

And immediately clicked the link to see, right?

Mendalla

I'm the go-to guy for computer matters, but one of our members runs a computer/copier business and we call on his technicians for any repair/network issues. Our caretaker is also very computer/audio literate and he deals with any audio/web questions. We have a professional do our web site.