Why International eRiding Works

eRiders, often called "circuit riders" in the U.S., are technology consultants who work with nonprofits in a particular area or within a particular service sector. Because eRiders have technology skills and experience with nonprofits, they understand the particular needs of organizations. An eRider often serves as a technology expert, a trainer, a communications strategist, and a management consultant all rolled into one.

Using eRiders (called "circuit riders" in the U.S.) is often a great way for nonprofits to learn more about using technology in their work. E-Riders have technology skills and NGO experience, so they understand the particular needs of organizations. An eRider serves as an expert in the use of computers, a trainer, a communications strategist, and a management consultant.

But what is it about the eRider model that makes it work internationally?

1. eRiders who come from their community know the issues facing their community and can maximize the impact of their support.
2. eRiding fosters volunteerism and service and motivates others to see how non-traditional skills can help the community.
3. eRiding increases the likelihood that vendor/customer relationships are successful -- they are essential intermediaries who reinterpret technical lingo for NGOs and NGO-speak for technologists.

4. eRiding is a local solution to local issues and not just support in the abstract.

   Imagine the frustration of an NGO leader who has been trained in a beautiful computer lab with a fast connection to the Internet upon returning to an office with bad phones lines, irregular power, and slow computers. The lab is a trainers dream but the NGO office is an eRider's dream.

5. eRiding provides bigger bang for the buck. eRiders are cheaper then high-priced consultants, but they are highly skilled and committed. eRiding helps donors maximize their investment by hiring one person to service the needs of a group of NGOs.
6. eRiding can help make connections between marginalized groups and the majority. They help groups tie into a technology community that can often times be colorblind (even if not always gender-neutral).
7. eRiders help organizations see the value of integrating information and communication technologies into their work by focusing on their programs and missions, not just on their systems.
8. eRiding can help foster communities of interest among groups being supported. By moving from organization to organization, eRiders can help organizations learn from each other and share ideas, initiatives, and campaigns.
9. eRiders can serve as a bridge over the relief-to-development gap. Many of the countries eRiders work in are moving back and forth between relief and development, from crisis to growth, from natural disaster to boom. eRiders help organizations make the most of the these stages of growth by helping them stay connected to each other and to the communities they represent.
10. eRiders understand and identify more then just technology issues. eRiders become adept at diagnosing management, fundraising, accounting, and personnel issues and can help guide organizations to people or organizations that can help them address these issues.