Volunteer Management with VSys Live

VSys Live is a customizable browser-based portal that allows volunteers within an organization to complete everyday tasks. It is one of multiple components of the VSys Family created by Bespoke Software. Other members of this family include VSys One, a windows-based application that allows administrators to control and track volunteer activities on VSys Live and VSys Anywhere, a browser-based version of VSys One.

With VSys Live, volunteers are able to sign up for shifts and opportunities, check in and out of their shifts, enter hours, upload photos and documents, complete online training, run reports of their hours, schedules, accrued travel expenses and much more.

Because this tool allows volunteers to complete so many tasks on their own, administrators are relieved of these duties and are able to focus on other tasks within the organization. This increases productivity and growth within the organization as a whole.

So how does VSys Live actually work? When organizations inquire about the software on the VSys One website, the first step is to schedule a demonstration by completing an online form or calling a phone number to Bespoke Software. Pricing quotes are not available on the site since every organization’s needs will be different and dependent on the necessary features of their particular portal. VSys will work with each organization to build and customize their VSys Live portal based on their specific needs.

Morgan Johnson. “Screenshot of VSys Live Homepage, Smithsonian.” February 13, 2020.

When the site is finally live, ready to use and volunteer accounts have been created through VSys One or VSys Anywhere, volunteers will sign-in with their credentials and their organization’s Vsys Live homepage will greet them with a few key icons. These icons include a button to Check In/Out, a button to Report Past Hours and a Calendar view of their activities for the current month. Across the top of the page are multiple drop-down menus that include My Info, Check-In/Out, Find Opportunities, Online Trainings and Documents. The Find Opportunities tab is one of the most important functions for users since this allows them to sign up for different shifts and events throughout the organization.

VSys Live and the remaining VSys Family are all powerful tools that tremendously benefit organizations with a large number of volunteers. Putting more control into the volunteers’ hands allows administrators to put more focus into other areas within the organization.  This is extremely helpful and important to the organization’s pursuit of fulfilling its mission.

Using Technology as an Arts Manager

According to the NEA, 118M Americans use technology to interact with the arts.  Arts managers in the field have confirmed that it plays an important part in how patrons find events, engage and give feedback on programming, donate money, and consume marketing materials.  Technology also gives many the chance to create and share art online, something which many arts managers claim is trivializing “serious” art.  Despite this, there is a upwards trend in galleries exhibiting artists who work solely in technological media such as VR and use social media as the main channel for their work.

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The New Forms of Arts Participation

Social media has been with us for a decade and it plays a crucial role in our daily life. In the U.S., the majority of arts organizations believe or somewhat believe “social media is worth the time our organization spends on it”, according to Pew Research Center.The survey indicates that the arts organization are using tech tools to engage with patrons and potential audiences in different ways. The data also strongly support the view that social media increases audience participation and allows audiences to have a deeper and a more interactive artistic engagement.

The New Forms of Arts Participation

Social media has been with us for a decade and it plays a crucial role in the daily life. In the U.S., the majority of arts organizations believe or somewhat believe “social media is worth the time our organization spends on it”, according to Pew Research Center. The survey indicates that the arts organization are using the technology tools to engage with patrons and potential audiences in different ways. These data also strongly support the view that social media increases audience participation and allows the audiences to have a deeper and a more interactive artistic engagement.

Marketing the Arts Pays Off!

Budget battles are a constant in the Arts world, and the pressure to cut costs can be unrelenting.   However, according to a study by the National Center for Arts Research, funds spent on marketing can provide an impressive return on investment.  Arts managers need to keep in mind the old axiom, “It takes money to make money.”

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Arts Organizations and Their Online Presence

This infographic explains the use of social media platforms by arts organizations. Based on the data, it shows the average amount of online platforms used as well as which
platforms are more popular. Then, it lays out what to consider before posting on these platforms to make sure your posts reach your goal audience.