 |
|||||||
If you like what you read, support us by becoming a member.
INTRODUCTION
A new year. Another chance to start from scratch and do it all again, but the RIGHT way this time! If you're like me, you came into the office on January 2nd with energy, enthusiasm, and good intentions. I spent some of the quiet holiday time whittling away at my email inbox, and I vowed to keep it clean. Of course, everyone else came back with energy and enthusiasm and a desire to email, so my inbox is now in the same sorry shambles it usually is. I may have already broken most of my resolutions, but we can help you with yours! I know you're all planning on joining us in New Orleans for the Nonprofit Technology Conference, March 19-21. There, you'll CONNECT with the people, LEARN the ideas, and get the resources you need to create the CHANGE you're looking to make. In this issue of the newsletter, we're previewing just a few of the fabulous topics we'll be covering on the agenda. Enjoy these few highlights, and then remember to register for the conference while the early bird rate is still available! Best, Holly
Over the past year, as more and more nonprofits have figured out how to integrate social networking and social media tools into their communications strategies, the question has remained: Do these tools and strategies really help nonprofits reach outcomes? While many of the tools are free, we still need to ask, "What's the value (ROI) of investing our time?" There are a lot of intangible values that are hard to measure -- networking, engagement, and the like. The bottom line is that the metrics for measuring nonprofit success in social media or social networks is different from traditional web metrics. It is, in fact, a moving target.
In her recent report for the Overbrook Foundation, Allison Fine quotes a grantee who expresses what many think about emerging Web 2.0 tools: "I think I'm missing something really big, but I don’t know what it is or how to find out what it is." If you or your colleagues feel the same way, take heart. Every day, organizations find new ways to bring their stories to life through digital media and the internet. There is brave new world emerging where users generate content. New ways of engaging and interacting with information are being created, new communities are being formed based on personal interests and affiliations, and digital media is being used to tell stories. 
Michelle Murrain, NOSI
You've gotten used to evaluating software for use in your organization. You have a specific need to fill, you look around for the list of software that can fill that need, make sure that the feature set matches, that you have the budget, and that the company or vendor is reputable, and can provide the support you need. But how do you evaluate free and open source software? In general, for FOSS applications, it is actually easier to evaluate the quality of the application and the support options available than it is for proprietary applications. But, at the same time, there are more issues to consider. Get Michelle all year long with her new NTEN Webinar Series on Open Source Software, beginning January 29th.
Scott Beale, Atlas Service Corps
We're about half way through the six-week long America's Giving Challenge sponsored by the Case Foundation, Parade Magazine, GlobalGiving, and Network for Good. At this point, I am excited to share with you that Atlas Corps is in the second spot of the Global Causes category. I want to share with you what has worked for us in this contest, as we have motivated over 275 people to give about $8,000, putting us in the second spot (for now). HOW TO: PUT TECHNOLOGY TO USE
Your guide to resources that will help you put technology to work for your cause.
Prepare for the NTC > First, register before January 15th to get the best price. Then you may want to book a room at the Sheraton New Orleans at our special rate. > Now that we've gotten that out of the way, you should start thinking about what you're going to do at the NTC. Start with the agenda to figure out which sessions you can't miss. Learn about the Day of Service. Submit something to our video contest. Finally, brush up on your dance moves so you can impress on the floor during our After Party at New Orleans' legendary Tipatina's. > And, of course, we will be in New Orleans. The NOMTC has a pretty nice web site, packed with tourist information, as does the Convention and Visitors Bureau. > Some suggestions: Check out the Ellis Marsalis Quartet. Attend a basketball game (so the team doesn't have to move). Find culinary bliss at John Besh's August. Map Your Data> Google moves one step closer to making desktop applications obsolete with the release of the Google Chart API. The Wild Apricot blog offers a tutorial and a list of sites currently using the API. > Last month, we mentioned that Many Eyes offered a visualization of the Mitchell report on steroid use in MLB. This month's cool mappings include "Average Time Spent Commuting by State" and "The 2007 International Privacy Ranking". Learn how to use Many Eyes yourself. Use Twitter> Nate Ritter recently blogged about "Using Twitter to Help Communities". More advice is sure to come from NTEN Member Britt Bravo's recent Net2ThinkTank query, "How Can Nonprofits Use Twitter? Should They Even Bother?" > Lifehack.org offers "5 Ways to Use Twitter for Good". You may also be curious how reporters use Twitter. More practially, you should visit VideoJug for advice on the actual basics of using Twitter. THINGS WE LIKE
A monthly roundup of our favorite nonprofit tech resources. Read more posts on our blog.
NTC 2008 EARLY BIRD DEADLINE
Top ways to use those extra $100 you'll save by registering for the NTC before January 15th.
|
2008 NTC DEADLINE
Early Bird registration for the 2008 NTC ends January 15th, 2008.
You may already know that this year's NTC will take place March 19-21 at the Sheraton New Orleans. But do you know how many things you could do with those extra $100? BEST NTC RATE
NTEN members enjoy a $200 savings on the biggest, most fun nonprofit technology event of the year.
If you're going to the NTC -- and we hope you are -- it would demonstrate good fiscal responsibility for you to join NTEN. (Or, if your membership just lapsed, renew with us today!) MEMBER DISCOUNTSNTEN membership brings other rewards, as well: Grassroots.org Near-Time UPCOMING WEBINARS
And, of course, NTEN members enjoy savings on our fabulous webinars. Upcoming webinars include:
FWD NTEN CONNECT
You know that every issue of NTEN Connect is chock-a-block full of useful information, but do your friends?
Forward this issue to an NPTechie for good and bask in the glow of their thanks. |
||||||
|
NTEN CONNECT is the monthly e-newsletter of the Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN). |
|||||||
