Volunteer management software

James Patten · **Posted:** Mon Aug 09, 2010 5:38 pm

I think I've asked this question before but it may have been on a previous incarnation of this forum.

I'm looking for low-cost ideas for recording volunteer time for my museum. About 10 years ago I created an MS Access application for it that was somewhat crude but worked. When I got my newest laptop about 2 years ago I made a deliberate choice to use open source or free applications where possible, and recreated the volunteer time application in Open Office Base. However the reporting for OOBase is less than great so I've been unable to actually get much out of it (other than raw data).

I've had enough of trying to reinvent the wheel and I'd like to know what other volunteer-based organizations use. Free is great, low cost (< $100) is OK. If it's impossible to find something in my price range I'd like to know too. If someone out there has developed their own application and is willing to share it please do. I'm not looking for a spreadsheet; I'm looking for something database driven.

James Patten

PS: I should note that I'm not interested in hosted software ("software as a service), only in applications installed on the computer.

Evan · **Posted:** Mon Aug 09, 2010 6:23 pm

If you are a non-profit, don't throw in the towel on MS Access if cost is the issue. Non-profits can register with TechSoup.org and get deeply discounted software. For example, MS Office Professional Plus 2010 (includes Access) is $31.00. I'm still using Access 2003, but I use it to manage the museum memberships/mailing list and the museum archives.

Gary Gray · **Posted:** Mon Aug 09, 2010 10:13 pm

My God, you can actually manage volunteers? I thought the process was more similar to herding cats..............................:)

superheater · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 11:54 pm **Posts:** 2606

My God, you can actually manage volunteers? I thought the process was more similar to herding cats..............................:)

Only if you haven't seen it done reasonably well.

James Patten · **Posted:** Tue Aug 10, 2010 7:12 am

Cost (and being legal) was initially the issue with me, which is why I wanted to avoid MS Office. I'd forgotten about TechSoup's Office pricing, though.

Steve Freer · **Joined:** Tue Nov 09, 2004 1:24 pm **Posts:** 380

Linked Software has a very good product in a great price range. They are good folks to deal with (his name is Lynn) and they'll take care of you.

http://www.linkedsoftware.com/