Best Buddies International has taken on a significant endeavor for 2009 to go paperless.  Best Buddies Online (www.bestbuddiesonline.org) is at the forefront of this process.  This project has moved all of our Programs paperwork from mountains of physical pieces of paper completed by our participants and staff to a sleek portal system with automated online forms. 

It was decided in the spring of 2009 to rollout this project in stages, with the Colleges program first having full access to the system at the outset of the 2009-2010 academic year.  More limited access to the site is available to the High School and Middle Schools program, with full access for these programs in July 2010.  The homepage of www.bestbuddiesonline.org includes a Resources section with links to all of the forms, manuals and additional resources previously provided to each chapter on paper in a three ring binder. 

Each College chapter has a chapter portal where events can be posted as well as pictures.  College participants can go online to find contact information for other members, find out what is happening with the chapter and fill out the necessary forms to run a successful chapter.  With these resources readily available, chapters will be able to focus more on the friendships and the mission. 

Best Buddies Online is in the initial stages and there are plans for many improvements and additions.  The goal of Best Buddies Online is not only to eliminate paperwork, but to also eventually be a social networking utility for our members.  In the future, members will be able to chat through Best Buddies Online, create interactive profiles and e-mail through the portal. 

Best Buddies International is very excited about this endeavor and is confident that it is going to save money in the long term with decreased paper, printing and postage costs.  This project will ultimately have a tremendous impact on Programs.  Staff members and students alike will save many hours previously spent creating records, filling out paper forms, going to the post office, and all the burdens of the previous paper system.  This will translate into a greater amount of time spent focused where it should be, directly on the mission of friendship, while increasing efficiency with record keeping and statistical evidence to support programs in the future.