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Here at NTEN, with Spring in the air and the sun blasting into our 13th floor office, we're feeling motivated to change the world. NTEN Discuss seems to be feeling energized by the start of Spring, as well.

Sheldon Mains asked what people recommend as a time tracking database (with the disclaimer that it was one of those questions that is asked every 6 months or so). As the responses came in, Allen Gunn, from Aspiration Tech, decided to compile all the suggested solutions in a Social Source Commons "Time Tracking" Toolbox so that "next time", the questioner can just be directed there. The RSS Feed on the Toolbox will keep you updated as additional tools are added.

Julie Phillips-Turner of Philip Turner Communications asked for recommendations for her board on online fundraising management tools. There were plenty of good suggestions, but the most echoed were: defining your needs, analyzing your budget, and having the technical skills to make the best decision. Jenny Council pointed Julie to Idealware for their Online Fundraising Basics Webinar. Heather Williams, from Pew Environmental Group, suggested NTEN's 2007 CRM Satisfaction Report as a good place to get an idea of how people using the various systems that support online fundraising campaigns feel about their performance, ROI, and ongoing product support.

Recommendations for webinar software were requested by Steve Gross, of JESNA. ReadyTalk came highly recommended from experienced users such as Beaconfire Consulting, Npadvisors, See3, and Minnesota Counties Computer Cooperative; ReadyTalk even offers an NTEN member discount! Chris Tuttle, GLSEN, says,

ReadyTalk provides free weekly trainings (great for your new staff). We give each staff member their own account and the ReadyTalk staff seem always available and very helpful. Plus, they also just launched a bunch of new “event planning” tools that allow you to more easily gather participant information if using for trainings and such.

A new Affinity Group -- NPTech Professional Principles -- was started by John Kenyon, in response to discussions at the NTC. You can read about the process, review the principles draft, and join the group.

Follow these and other current discussions like Data Integration and Listserv Moderation Best Practices on the NTEN Discuss Affinity Group.

And, by the way, the 2009 NTC is April 26-28 in San Francisco, for those of you can't wait to get it on your calender!