We are very proud to announce a partnership between the Web Analytics Association and Save the Children (STC). This project stems from two independent proposals developed at roughly the same time (early 2009), "Web Analytics Without Borders" by WAA volunteers, and "Nonprofit Web Capacity Roadmap and Production Process" by STC. The goal of the project: to reach 74 million children by 2012.

The WAA is interested in helping NGOs as a way to share our pool of knowledge and give back to society. Once this model has proven successful, the WAA have plans to help other NGOs. Involvement from the non-profit organization is crucial. Save the Children was selected as a first project because of the expressed interest, willingness to give access to their data and provide the necessary resources while being comfortable with the fact this constitute a first attempt at this collaboration model. Once proven, the scenario should be replicable with other organizations.

Through this partnership, WAA members will be able to gain experience transforming an organization into a data-driven culture. In non-profits like Save the Children, the benefits of adaptable, test-driven teams and analytics-led decision making are appealing. Despite the appeal, tight times demand focus on contributing to the mission, so resources go to the field in order to meet our goal of reaching 74 million children by 2012. At the same time, we cannot ignore capacity building and the benefits of a data-driven culture.

Save the Children's Web Team will provide access to Google Analytics, Webtrends, and optionally other platforms like Adwords. Save the Children will also share team goals, processes, scope, and objectives, allowing WAA members to become part of our team. Together, using the Web Analytics Maturity Model as a roadmap, we will evaluate our current situation, determine appropriate strategies for increasing capacity and results, and together build a mature analytics program that drives insights and action organization-wide.

Our vision is that every analyst participating in the Web Analytics Without Borders program becomes part of Save the Children's web team, helps develop a data-driven culture from scratch, increase and uses their experience to enable positive and sustainable change in thousands of childrens' lives.

This program is lead by Stéphane Hamel (WAA Director), Daniel Waisberg (Co-Chair of Marketing), and Kris Groulx (Marketing volunteer) on the WAA side. Adam Laughlin is coordinating our efforts on the Save The Children side. Come join us in this journey to improve the lives of millions of children around the world! The program will kickoff on January 2010. Email waa.membership [at] webanalyticsassociation [dot] org to join us or leave a comment on this post.

Comments

[Rudi Shumpert]

Great Idea and a great cause.

I'd like to help however I can.

-Rudi (@rrs_atl)

[Jen]

Hi Daniel! I've heard the idea of "Web Analytics Without Borders" mentioned and would like to learn more about how I can help. Please do add me to the list of contacts for when it is ready to kickoff. Thanks! -Jen

[Diogenes Passos]

Daniel Waisberg, congratulations for you and entire WAA Team for the initiative.

The Company that I work in (at Brazil :)), made a couple works for NGOs this year. I am proud to be part of those jobs, helping on the SEM strategy and Web Analytics implementation.

I have also worked on metrics & analysis for the Brazilian Education Ministery (www.mec.gov.br); and even if that job wasn't philantropical, I actually think I was doing something good to the community anyways.

I am proud to say that the idea of using my very much beloved job for helping people on some way actually makes me feel happy; quite a bit more human.

So, how could I help in some way? I would love to be pat of it.
Do I need to be a member of WAA? Could I receive the answer by e-mail too? :)
Thanks in advance.

Best,
Diogenes Passos

[Stephane Hamel]

Thanks Rudi, Jen & Diogenes!
We will get the ball rolling with WAA volunteers in January. We've been working with SaveTheChildren for several months in order to come up with a project that will offer an appropriate learning and collaborative environment.

Finding an organization, even if NGO, willing to "open the books" is not obvious. I salute SaveTheChildren for their willingness to participate in this project!

On top of the other benefits offered by the WAA, this project is a very good reason to be a member and get involved :)

Stéphane

[Adam Laughlin]

It is both exciting and humbling to be part of a community focused on analytics for genuinely life-changing outcomes, and heart-warming to see everyone's interest.

Seeing a group like this get together to help NGOs has actually been a dream for a few years. While there are differences between WAWB and my previous efforts, if you like interesting ideas and would like to see some related work, feel free to check out www.floss4good.org.

Also, if you haven't considered Web Analytics Without Borders from an education and research standpoint, it's an amazing opportunity. How many scenarios can bring dozens of analysts from many backgrounds together, problem solving for a good cause and global results? We'll be able to build on each others' work and accomplish some amazing analysis and visualization simply because we'll have more perspective and insight than most companies can afford to throw at a problem.

Details to come as we get closer. Looking forward to the launch! :)

Adam

[Minyu]

I am a recent graduate; albeit new and inexperienced in WA, I really want to learn more about it. This is a fantastic learning opportunity and if I can be part of it and contribute, I'd be much appreciated and seize this opportunity. Entry into WA appears to be very difficult but I do not want to give it up. Thanks.

[Peter]

Interesting initiative. I'd like to find the time to help out.

[Adam Laughlin]

Minyu,

Welcome!

Through collaborating on the same projects, we'll be able to build relationships in the field and gain experience and skills to apply. Sounds like a perfect opportunity in your case. :)

Looking forward to learning and changing lives together!

Adam

[Adam Laughlin]

Peter,

Welcome. We'd love it if you find the time too. :)

Adam

[Adam Laughlin]

Howdy folks,

After getting some really great emails, we decided to open up a discussion list to explore possibilities together. Analysts are a creative bunch, right?! So let's bounce ideas and explore how we can generate the best outcomes for everyone! :)

http://groups.google.com/group/waa-wawb

Cheers!

Adam

[Cassandra Thomas]

I would love to help participate as an analyst with both private, public and non-profit experience. Will there be an opportunity to fold other non-profits into the program? I am also curious what criteria was used to select Save the Children.

[Kris G]

Cassandra,
Welcome aboard. To answer your question; this program is fairly open to any philanthropist organization that is willing to participate in the program. The main idea behind this program is to help make a difference for those in need. In the future if we can collaborate with other NGO's (and have enough volunteers to manage the workload) then we will do so.

Kris

[Kris G]

To Everyone:

As a continuing effort to increase benefits to its members we are restricting access to this program to current WAA members only. We strongly encourage anybody that has the passion to join this effort to register with the Web Analytics Association. Not only will you be able to participate in this program, but you will also enjoy the many benefits a membership has to offer you.

Thanks,
Kris

[Charles brooks]

I want to work online ..
There are some thin if the legitimate work as a line there. Most are sites and marketing study for the site owner rich, not you. The only thing is true legitimacy Ebay, selling things you already own
part time work

[Cassandra Thomas]

@kris Well, this is bummy, In this tough economic climate I don't have $199 to join WAA right now though I want to but I have time to volunteer. I don't see how restricting participation benefits your project. Plus, I have to admit it impacts my perception of WAA negatively for it looks as if you are using this project to make a marketing play instead of an opportunity to help.

[Alessandro Knach]

If it's not too late, I would love to help :)

Alessandro

[Kris G]

Cassandra: We can certainly understand your situation. The WAA mission is to help its members grow in the field of web analytics and we strive to bring unique and valuable benefits to our members. As a volunteer on this project, I’m happy to help other WAA members because I believe in the mission and values of the WAA. Honestly, you shouldn’t see the membership as an expense, but instead as an investment in yourself. Volunteering is amazingly rewarding and you’ll get much more than your 199$ worth!

[Herman Tumurcuoglu]

congratulations to the WAA Team for this great initiative.

I am thinking of implementing such initiative with my class at McGill University.

[Omar]

This is a great idea! I would love to help out. Please do contact me when your ready to accept volunteers

Twitter: Omarjead

[Ann Poritzky]

Hi
I would like to participate when you are ready for volunteers. Am I too late?

Ann P.

[kinaze]

Hey there! I have just finished working on an analysis for SaveTheChildren in a Web analytics university class lead by Stéphane Hamel. I would surely like to see what other analysts have come up with.
Best!

[Thomas Tam]

I would like to join your team. See how can I help!

[Stéphane Hamel]

Hi Thomas,
we are taking a break during sumer time and should start things back around September. In the meantime, you can visit http://www.webanalyticsassociation.org/members/group.asp?id=61881 to join the WAWB Special Interest Group where additional information will be posted.