On a Personal Note: Looking Back on 2008 and Thinking About 2009
NTEN StaffIt's October, which means early renewal for 2009 memberships here at NTEN.
Last week, I sent an email to our current members, thanking them for being part of NTEN in 2008 and reminding them about early renewal. It made me think back on 2008 and how much NTEN has grown -- in community and activity -- over the past year.
- So far this year, NTEN has grown to almost 1800 supporting members, serving over 4500 individuals working with and for nonprofits to help harness technology for good.
- We had what I think was the most fun Nonprofit Technology Conference to date. And not just because it was in New Orleans.
- We've brought in new programming like our Ask-the-Expert sessions, where you all gather for forward-looking discussions on adapting today's technology and trends to your missions with superstars like Chris Brogan, Avinash Kaushik, and John Palfrey, just to name a few.
- We launched the online NTEN Office Hours chats, where NTEN members with expertise volunteer their time to answer your questions and engage in brainstorming discussions in real-time.
- And we finally released the NTEN speaker directory, so you can find the expert resources you've come to know through NTEN more easily.
But the constant has been you, the community. Without you, none of this would be possible, and without the enthusiasm and generosity of our members, NTEN wouldn't have been as effective -- or, let's face it, as fun -- as it has been in 2008.
Many of you have been energizing NTEN far longer than I've been part of the organization. I want to thank you all for the ideas, resources, and time you've shared with us and your colleagues.
I'm very much looking forward to what we'll share in the future, and I'm excited that so many of you are already on board to make 2009 even more successful for the nonprofit technology community!
