By Daniel Pearson

The most obvious effect telecommuting can have on nonprofit organizations is increasing the size of their pool.

No -- not the employee swimming pool -- but the talent pool an organization can recruit from. Just ask Susan Davis, director of outreach for the "virtual" nonprofit WaterPartners International, who said telecommuting is nothing short of a blessing.

"If you have someone who (moves overseas), they can still work for your organization," Davis said. "For example, we had one employee who moved to Egypt...She was still able to work for us and it was good for our company not to lose her."

Nonprofits entering the telecommuting world can learn some tips from online recruiters such as SchoolJobs.com, a Web site connecting prospective teachers with understaffed schools.

SchoolJobs allows educators to log on to its site and check out job openings across the nation. Another site, JobsinSchools.com allows users to post their resumes and professional information. Prospective employees can also buy information regarding the schools they are interested in, so they can learn more about the system where they are applying.

Nonprofits can use similar links on their Web sites to allow prospective workers to apply for positions. In addition to being convenient, it also save money in the process. Rather than paying to publish an ad for open positions in a magazine or newspaper, a link on a Web site can attract potential employees and/or volunteers from around the world.

WaterPartners uses this approach to raise awareness about its mission -- which is providing global access to clean drinking water -- and fundraising events.

For instance, WaterPartners holds an event it calls "Water for Life" in Kansas City, Mo., Seattle, Wash., San Francisco, Washington D.C. and Raleigh-Durham, N.C. Linking to the organization's Web site, Internet surfers will find a picture of people joining hands and smiling, with a caption that reads, "You can help." Below the caption is a link for "Water for Life Events." Clicking on that link leads surfers to another link that reads, "For information on how to start an event in your city, click here." The visitor is then told they can assist WaterPartners' mission by organizing such events as a musical event, a formal reception dinner, a salsa dance, a wine tasting or a small gathering at their home, among other methods.

Through a couple of links on its home page, WaterPartners has kept potential volunteers on its site, stimulated interest in its objectives, and actively moved people into become involved. And, of course, with more volunteers producing fundraisers, more revenue can be generated for projects.

Some say the downside to this approach is not having the opportunity to interview workers face to face, but Davis said most people who log on to WaterPartners' site and offer their services or inquire about employment opportunities are already showing interest in the group.

"Plus a lot of our volunteer positions only require about five hours per week," she said. "A lot of our volunteer work involves getting the word out about (polluted drinking water) stats, press releases, updating the Web site -- all of which can be accomplished through telecommuting."

Another perk associated with telecommuting is the frequency and immediacy ideas and solutions can be bounced around the company. For instance, rather than an employer setting up specific meeting times with employees to discuss their concerns or inspirations, it is possible for everyone in an organization to receive an e-mail detailing a colleague's idea, and then register their opinion. This can not only contribute to better staff understanding of projects, but also to keep up that "esprit de corps," which can easily dwindle among remote workers.

"It seems like we're able to move quickly (in running with an idea)," Davis said. "All of us check our e-mails constantly and I think we're able to remain pretty creative that way. We're always floating around e-mails."

So is telecommuting right for every organization?

Of course not, but businesses -- whether they are for-profit or nonprofit -- should consider the advantages and disadvantages of establishing a system that allows employees flexibility in this busy age and can boost the organization's bottom line.

Daniel Pearson can be reached at
danielpearson@mindspring.com