But what are eRiders? Here's an explanation from the Global eRider web site:
eRiders are many things to many people but their main aim is to make
organizations more effective, efficient and innovative through the use
of all forms of technology.
Here's an excerpt from the CompassPoint Circuit Rider Evaluation Report:
The formal role of the [eRiders] is best defined, in the words of one
leading advocate and practitioner, as "part trainer, part management
consultant, part computer expert. They provide consulting and
assistance with technology strategy development, make multiple visits
to the organizations they serve, and provide advice and information by
phone and e-mail. They can serve regional constituencies by travel from
a central location." In the best circumstances, [eRiders] may even
"cross-pollinate" the groups they service, transmitting insights,
tools, and tips as they travel throughout the sector. In addition,
training materials and resources can be used at multiple sites thereby
spreading the development cost out across a number of organizations.
The eRiders form a network of individuals who work all around the globe with mission-based organizations that strive to make the world a better place. For example, Dirk Slater, one of the contributors to the new eRider Starter Kit (and eRider coordinator of TacticalTech), says:
I eRide because I couldn't figure out
any other job where I could use my interest in technology to really
have an impact and contribute to real change in policies that impact
negatively in low income communities.
Much of the hard-earned wisdom and experience of eRiders is collected in this starter kit, which is published under a Creative Commons license that allows all of us to use it freely for non-commercial purposes and even to modify the kit for our own purposes - as long as we give proper credit to the originators and publish our own versions under a similar license. This is very much in keeping with the open source spirit of the movement, which is oriented to collaboration and mutual support.
If you're helping to implement technology that serves your organization's mission - then you may already be an eRider and not know it! If you acquaint yourself with the eRider Starter Kit, you may find that you not only have a lot to gain but a lot to contribute. In either or both cases, you are welcome to participate in the worldwide community.
(A disclaimer: I've been a member of the Riders movement for about five years, and consider Dirk Slater and Teresa Crawford to be oracles on the topic of bringing technology to mission-based organizations. So I'm not exactly objective about this new resource.)
nptech