CHALLENGE
The Community Comms Collective, a New Zealand-based 100% volunteer-run non-profit, provides vital communications expertise and support to community organisations through matchmaking services, workshops, and resources.
As they scaled, managing their growing list of volunteers and projects with Excel spreadsheets became increasingly unworkable. This reliance on manual processes made it difficult to measure impact, manage engagement, and maintain efficiency. Recognising the need for a robust Volunteer Management System (VMS), the Community Comms Collective sought a digital solution that could streamline operations and support their mission.
BRIEF
With a clear understanding of their operational needs, the Community Comms Collective partnered with Walkerscott, a Microsoft-recognised solutions provider for non-profits, to implement Dynamics 365 Volunteer Management Application.
This collaboration aimed to establish a secure, scalable platform tailored to the Community Comms Collective’s requirements, while ensuring quick deployment and seamless user adoption.
SOLUTION
Walkerscott deployed the Dynamics 365 Volunteer Management Application, a key component of the Microsoft Cloud for Non-profits.
The solution leveraged Walkerscott’s extensive expertise in Dynamics 365 implementations for non-profits, ensuring an efficient and cost-effective deployment.
Environment Setup
Configuration of production and development/staging environments.
Application Deployment
Installation of Dynamics 365 Volunteer Management Application with minimal configuration to fit Community Comms Collective’s needs.
Training & Support
Delivered training for 3–4 matchmakers, along with user acceptance testing (UAT) and post-go-live support to address teething issues.
Process Optimisation
Standardised workflows embedded in a secure, scalable system.
RESULTS
The successful implementation of the Dynamics 365 Volunteer Management Application enabled the Community Comms Collective to better manage their growing operations while focusing on their core mission. Within the first year, key outcomes included:
- Efficient Volunteer Management: Centralised volunteer data reduced administrative overhead and manual effort.
- Scalable Growth: The platform accommodated increasing volunteer numbers with ease.
- Enhanced Operational Impact: Standardised processes allowed the Community Comms Collective to allocate resources more effectively, driving greater impact across the non-profit community in New Zealand.
“…the Dynamics 365 Volunteer Management Application has provided us with the tools we need to manage our growing volunteer base and demand for our services efficiently. With Walkerscott’s support, we are confident in our ability to scale our operations and increase our community impact.”
Gail Marshall, Co-founder, Trustee and Matchmaker-in-Chief, Community Comms Collective
“It was a pleasure working with Gail and the team at the Community Comms Collective. Their strong vision and well-defined user stories made the configuration and deployment process seamless, ensuring a swift project turnaround, efficient delivery, and adherence to budget.”
Jarred Harvey – D365 Functional Consultant, Walkerscott
