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Binky Patrol Comforting Covers for Kids
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Binky makers go high tech.
February 25, 2001 – Beaverton, OR– National Non-Profit Organization – Binky Patrol was faced with common growing pains of all-volunteer organizations; not enough time or hands to keep information updated. Binky Patrol Comforting Covers for Kids is dedicated to making blankets and giving them away to children and teens in need of comfort. The Laguna Beach based organization began five years ago with five women and has grown to over 5,000 volunteers and over 150 chapters nationwide. Founder, Susan Finch explains that the Binky Patrol website – www.binkypatrol.org – has been instrumental in communication with volunteers, chapters, media and those who wish to receive binkies. Roush, also a volunteer, works full time and has many other binky duties. The website was beginning to suffer. She needed more help and the ability to ask the chapter leaders to help keep the information current. The problem was most of the volunteers were new to computers, email and had no idea how to add to a webpage. The SOS went out. Tustin-based Commpro, the company employing Roush and their partner organization, Malaysia-based, The Media Shoppe, saw their content management software as the answer. Susan Finch and Commpro were already using the software to develop a new website for the City of Brea; and saw the TMS Publisher software as an answer. Susan shares, “The volunteers are loving it. They can add special photos, highlight a chapter member, change their email every week if they wish all without knowing HTML code or having more than basic word processing experience.” Hours of the Binky Patrol officers’ time is already being saved letting them once again focus on growth – and making binkies. Binky Patrol Treasurer Laurie Smith says, “The next step it to automate the quarterly accounting reports to automatically feed into the accounting system. This will further cut down on professional services and redundant tasks.” About 30% of Binky Patrol’s chapters do not have computer access. With the TMS publisher, it is easier for “virtual volunteers” around the world to help out and keep those pages updated. The virtual volunteers come from the acclaimed website, www.volunteermatch.org. Roush is continuously surprised at the enthusiasm the volunteers show to learn new technology when all they signed up to do was make blankets. Maria Vinas of Puerto Rico has been helping with the transfer of the HTML website to the new TMS system, “The TMS system has made it so easy. I was afraid I’d mess up your site. Good to know I can’t. “ According to Steve Collins, US Managing Director “ tmsPUBLISHER version 2.1 eliminates the painstaking and complex programming of Web site development and allows ordinary people to operate and administer their own highly functional Web site. Now small and medium sized enterprises have access to the same Web site functionality only large organizations could afford. We also reduce ‘total cost of ownership’ because you’re no longer dependent on outside technical consultants, or faced with burdening your IT people with minor tasks.” Not only is the product designed to give the site owner easy site management, but the program is designed to make customization easy as well. tmsPUBLISHER comes with (60) pre-built templates, and also includes a template developer’s kit that allows owners to create a completely custom look and feel. Users have complete freedom for day-to-day updating and management from any computer with a browser. Collins adds, “It’s clearly the most feature-packed product in it’s price range on the market today”. For information on Binky Patrol, please visit www.binkypatrol.org. For information on TMS Publisher, please contact Greg Smith at Commpro – 714-832-4388, gsmith@Commpro.com.
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