I help out at a local soup kitchen, and they are wanting to create a website. Most of their criteria are pretty simple, they want to be able to have a calendar, post pictures, and have a blog. However they also want to be able to manage volunteer's. They want to be able to post a event, have a list of jobs that they need volunteer's for that event, and allow people to sign up for the jobs. I would like to base this website on a well known platform like DotNetNuke, WordPress, or Drupal. Before I go and code my own plugin for managing volunteers I decided to see if I could find a platform that already has a module available. So far I have not been able to find anything. Has anybody heard of one or used one in the past? I would appreciate any suggestions.
A:
There's a whole range of ways to do this, but I haven't ever seen a dedicated solution (plugin or otherwise).
On the one hand, a blog could do all that you're asking. Posting pictures and blog entries? That's wordpress all over. Want a calendar? We have a plugin for that. Want to let volunteers sign up for stuff? Let them post comments.
On the other hand, the problem you're describing isn't unique: In my own experience I've wanted the software you describe. May I suggest that, if you have the time, you make something totally awesome for the volunteer community?
Tom Wright
2010-10-04 00:10:59
These are all good suggestions, but they want something that is very user friendly. They want to be able to have a quick view of what is needed and what needs are filled. They are currently using volunteerspot.com. It works pretty well, but they are having a couple issues, and they want the functionality embedded in their website. I agree with you, if I cannot find a existing plugin then I am hoping to create one for the community.
Eric Maibach
2010-10-04 00:27:41