An Idea....Google Workspace for Non Profits for Ward Leadership

[jvp44]

I hope I'm still on time to jump on this bandwagon. Where can I get the info needed to get the nonprofit Google Workspace? Bishopric counselor here trying to get something like this going in our ward. Thanks in advance!

[jvp44]

----DISCLAIMER---OBTAIN ANY/ALL APPROVALS FROM YOUR LEADERSHIP BEFORE TAKING ANY ACTION ON AN IDEA LIKE THE ONE BELOW ----DISCLAIMER---

Hi @bradhokanson what information did you submit to Google to get approved? Would you share it with me? javierpioquinto.lds@ gmail.com

[mdigi]

Here's one example of why one doesn't want to use software outside an organization's approved software:

https://www.pcworld.com/article/3064782 ... mails.html

Good intentions can quickly lead to "Ooops" and then you find yourself under the bus.

[Note: I have no idea if MSFT 365 is approved by the organization, just pointing out that you don't want to be the one who self-approved it, or another vulnerable software/service when lawsuits start to fly]

[ambldsorg]

Here's one example of why one doesn't want to use software outside an organization's approved software:

It's an example of why one should keep one's private communications separate from a company that integrates "AI" software, much more than it is about using organizationally "approved software". I got news for you, the Church uses Outlook.com (aka Microsoft 365) for their email communications; if that isn't sanction, approval, or promotion, I don't know what is.

[mdigi]

It's an example of why one should keep one's private communications separate from a company that integrates "AI" software

Agreed.

I got news for you, the Church uses Outlook.com (aka Microsoft 365) for their email communications;

I don't doubt it, but large organizations (like the church) also routinely mandate specific configurations with their service agreements; So it's completely possible that an [eg. Outlook.com] account associated with the Church's O365 service agreement forbids AI.

Anyway, my point in posting the news article was not to cause disagreement, but just to highlight the risks of not following policy, even when done with good intentions. This type of mistake could literally cost one everything they physically own in this world.

[jvp44]

Here's one example of why one doesn't want to use software outside an organization's approved software:

https://www.pcworld.com/article/3064782 ... mails.html

Good intentions can quickly lead to "Ooops" and then you find yourself under the bus.

[Note: I have no idea if MSFT 365 is approved by the organization, just pointing out that you don't want to be the one who self-approved it, or another vulnerable software/service when lawsuits start to fly]

The issue is not using the technology that is available, the issue is how safe we are being with it. AI is everywhere and weather you use google workspace or not AI is on our phones, computers, ipads, laptops. We just have to be careful with the information we send. We don't use SSN in the church so there's no reason that would be at risk. I know people are afraid of AI but we can't escape it just like we can't escape screens or rated R content, we just have to learn to recognize what is safe and what is not. Google and Microsoft are renown and put a lot of effort in making safe and secure products, does this article describe a weakness in their product? Yes. Are we sending sensitive information like private confessions? I hope not ever over email or text. (GH 32 & 33 for more insight into church policy regarding privacy).

[jvp44]

[Note: I have no idea if MSFT 365 is approved by the organization, just pointing out that you don't want to be the one who self-approved it, or another vulnerable software/service when lawsuits start to fly]

Also, I also would hope no one person is doing this without Bishop or Stake Pres approval first. I'm in our bishopric and I'm putting together an information packet for our Bishop to review and approve.

[ericb]

We've been utilizing Google Workspace Non-Profit, specifically for Google Shared Drives, at the stake level for the past 7+ years. Some may be aware the church's missionary department uses the same Non-Profit Workspace platform for full-time missionaries. Our stake president connected with our Area Seventy when we were initially pursuing this to provide transparency of what we were doing and ensure no concerns (and it's now also used at the coordinating-council level).

I will have to say -- there is a learning curve involved in being the Workspace administrator and coming to understand the 10% that really matters and ignoring the rest. We have Google Shared Drives setup for our stake presidency, high council, stake council, general membership (public docs), and several wards that have opted in -- it's all managed under the same Workspace account. In my opinion, it's too much work and doesn't make sense for every unit in a stake to go through the application process, manage their own domains, struggle to retain an administrator, etc. -- it's really best for it to be sponsored/overseen at the stake level and overseen by (preferably) a couple of members that with have long tenures .

A few things to consider per my experience if you're looking to move forward:

• Google no longer provides domain management via Google Domains (was sold off to Squarespace), which made it a bit easier to manage - so, there's the domain mgmt part as well
• You'll need to determine a domain to associate with your Workspace account, so be considering one that will work for you (also has nominal yearly registrar fee)
• The admin should be someone that will be diligent in helping to promote 'best practices' as people come in/out of callings, including occasional clean-up efforts
• You'll want to have admins that can help for years to come (i.e. not tied to a leadership calling of 2-3 years)

You're welcome to private message me if you'd like copies of documents I've put together to help support our stake effort.

[jvp44]

You're welcome to private message me if you'd like copies of documents I've put together to help support our stake effort.

Hi ericb I've tried sending private messages but I believe there needs to be an admin who approves the private messages and I don't think there are any admins rn. Would we be able to communicate privately? javierpioquinto.lds@ gmail.com. The more I logically think about this the more it makes sense to have this be managed at a stake level since all the admin work does need someone long term not just a 2-3 yr calling. Thanks!

[russellhltn]

Hi ericb I've tried sending private messages but I believe there needs to be an admin who approves the private messages and I don't think there are any admins rn.

New members can't send a PM, but you should be able to.