Google has an amazing array of free, online resources that anyone can use. Let's focus on Google calendar.
Google Calendar is what it sounds like - an online calendar (I am assuming by now that most people know something about the various services that make up the Google empire). If you have an email address you can sign up for Google calendar (you do not need to have a @gmail.com email address). There are so many ways you can utilize this service. Since you can have multiple calendars in your account, the possibilities are pretty much limitless.
Here are some suggestions for how you can take advantage of this service...
1. Backup your personal calendars - Google offers the ability for you to either export/import calendars, or sync calendars with common desktop calendar software.
Obviously the export/import feature makes backing up your calendar a bit more involved than actually syncing it, but it is certainly great for an occasional backup, especially if your calendars are kept ONLY on your computer and not also synced to a mobile device or to another service like MobileMe or Microsoft Exchange.
If you are a "light" calendar user, "subscribe" to your Google calendar using your calendar software. Common software (like iCal & Outlook) can "subscribe" to Google calendars online and you can allow them to make changes to the calendar. Changes you make in your software are added to the online calendar as well (and vice versa). Now you can check your calendar from any computer with an internet connection.
2. Post ministry schedules - maybe you have an event calendar on your church's website, but you want to list your weekly schedule for something like your small group. Obviously, you wouldn't normally list ALL your meetings on your church's event calendar. Use a Google calendar and then you can either share a link to it with your group or embed the calendar on your ministry's web page. You can include details like whose house you are meeting at, who is bringing refreshements, etc. Here is an example of how one of our ministries does this.
3. Share building use information - You can go so far as to add all your building use information for staff and leadership to reference. Imagine accessing your church's master calendar by simply "subscribing", sharing a private URL link, or "sharing" your calendar within Google calendar! And, of course, you can control who can edit, or just view the calendar.
4. Share your free/busy information with your secretary - If you get a lot of requests for appointments, allow your secretary to see your calendar (without all the details) so she can schedule the occasional appointment for you.
5. How do you use online calendars? Leave comments below.
Obviously this post assumes your church doesn't have another service that accomplishes this same thing. The cool thing is that Google offers a basic package of services to organizations for free that can save the organization a lot of money.
Jason
Posted via email from Cooper-ation | resourcing for ministry
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