Nonprofit technology: the real San Francisco treat. If you like what you read, support us by becoming a member.
INTRODUCTION
I confess: I've never once sat through an entire NTC session. My favorite part of the conference is the thousand conversations I have while dashing from here to there or over a drink at one of the many social events. For me, the conference is all about you.
But I consider it the buttery icing on the cake that the NTC offers a lot more than a chance to catch up with colleagues. Year after year, you've told us that the sessions are top notch! This issue is all about those sessions.
This is a special preview of what you'll find at the conference. The sessions will cover a wide variety of topics, from representing your brand on your website to change management. You'll get practical how-tos, like how to get started with podcasting and how to manage your data. And you'll get advice and support from your colleagues, like how to become a "real" IT person at your organization after starting as an accidental techie.
So, check out these highlights. And when you get to the actual sessions in San Francisco this April, make sure you take notes for me. I'll be gossiping in the hall.
(Oh, and if you're not registered for the conference yet, now's the time! The early bird rate -- just $349 for members -- expires on January 31.)
Best,
Holly
Farra Trompeter, Big Duck
Your organization's brand is more than its logo, its name, or how it all looks on letterhead. It starts with the core purpose and vision your organization hopes to fulfill and goes all the way through how people experience your organization -- via programs, events, videos, newsletters, and yes, your website.
If you had to describe your organization in a single word or idea, what would it be? What about your personality? Are you more professional and academic; hip and cutting-edge; or grassroots and responsive? Now, keep that idea and those adjectives in mind, and let's take a fresh look at your website.
Kurt Voelker, Forum One Communications
Policy-oriented organizations have long produced dizzying amounts of statistical content. In the past, rows and rows of data would die a quick death in thick policy reports or inscrutable spreadsheets. Don't let your data fall victim!
Today, there are many tools to visualize and share data online. Smart organizations create and publish their data widely to other sites, widgets, social networks, and aggregation applications. They use data visualization and sharing tools like Swivel, Widgenie, Many Eyes, Google Maps, Google Motion Charts, APIs and more to make their data more available and more compelling.
So how can your organization tap into these tools and trends?
Bev Magda, The Humane Society of the United States
It's critical, especially during tough economic times, to ensure technology projects within your organization are completed on time and within budget. But often, a significant piece of the project is overlooked in the rush to meet these goals. That missing piece is the people -- those individuals affected by the technology that is being implemented.
Research has shown that individuals can have a profound impact on the success or failure of a project within organizations. How much they're on board with the project, how much training they've had, and how much they know about a technology change can make or break a project. Therefore, you should mitigate the impact of technological change by using all of the following methods:
 |
|
 |
Johanna Bates, Community Partners
In the beginning, maybe you just had patience, perseverance, and a love of -- or at least a lack of fear of -- computers and the Internet. You found you had a knack for technology and you became your org's go-to person for computer problems. People kept seeking you out because, instead of acting like the stereotypical IT guy, speaking only in tech-ese, you answered their questions and helped them feel a bit less intimidated by tech tools.
One day you woke up to the fact that tech-related work had taken over much of your job -- and you liked it.
By now, you're at least an accidental techie. But at what point can you call yourself a technology professional? What training is required? At this perhaps unexpected career turn, how do you become a bona-fide Nonprofit Techie?
Corey Pudhorodsky, 501c3Cast
By now, podcasting should be considered an established medium. Yet, even after four years of general public awareness, there are still many misunderstandings about how podcasting can be used by individuals and organizations.
From questions about the actual production of the files, to distribution, to listener metrics and feedback, there are plenty of moving parts that can raise questions. These uncertainties may be why many nonprofits still hesitate to adopt podcasting as a part of their new media strategy.
Like most things in the social web, though, there are tools and resources that can make creating a podcast accessible to almost any organization.
|
|
|
Get the Most out of NTEN
Our newsletter is only the tip of the iceberg: it's the Member benefits you're not seeing yet that will sink your ship. Hmm, wait, that doesn't sound right. Unless: you're like a goldfish on that ship, trapped in a bowl (of tech knowledge), but tragically separated from the wider sea of technology-loving fish everywhere. So you want the ship to sink! [Ed. note: Ouch.]
Anyway, if all you're getting out of NTEN is this newsletter, you're clearly missing out. We've got plenty of free ways for you to connect with your peers, from our Facebook group to our Affinity Groups and 501 Tech Clubs to our blog.
But if you really want to thrive in the current economic environment, you'll take the next step and become a Member.
Let's just consider our popular webinars: in addition to saving up to 50% off our already low prices, NTEN Members can buy the Season Pass -- unlimited webinars in 2009 for only $275.
What's more, we've just made our entire archive of recorded webinars (through September 30, 2008) free to our Members, with more to be added on a quarterly basis.
Then there are all the other reasons to join.
Prepare for the NTC
And, of course, NTEN Members save $200 off registration for the 2009 Nonprofit Technology Conference. You can get the best price by registering before the Early Bird deadline on January 31st. You can also book a room at the San Francsico Hilton at our special group rate.
With that out of the way, you can start looking forward to April 26, when 1,200(ish) like-minded individuals join together for 3 days of insight, camaraderie, learning -- and not just a little fun.
We've been working hard to make sure there are so many great breakout sessions, you may have a hard time choosing between them. Now would be a good time to start planning your own learning agenda. We've also got noted author Clay Shirky as our keynote speaker.
Plus, we'll be in San Funcisco. And wouldn't you know it, they have a handy Visitors' Guide, so we don't have to scour the web for recommendations. (We can recommend the MOMA, though.) Finally, don't forget to sign up for our After Party, at Mezzanine. The musical acts should come as quite a surprise. Stay tuned!
- Terrific visual representations of data. FlowingData has mapped the growth of WalMart across the U.S. since 1967. (Technically, this should go under "Things that Scare Us.")
- Need a techie on the cheap? The CTC Vista Project has opened its annual application cycle.
- An IT program in Germany has a section on social skills. One of the professors describes his job as teaching how to "get someone else's heart beating fast while yours stays calm."
- The return of technology as a national priority.
- Economy still got you down? Sad that the Shiba Inu puppies have grown up and abandoned their live stream? Not to worry: Natalie Portman's got you covered.
- Tag Galaxy maps Flickr photos onto a virtual solar system. Yeah, you kinda have to see it in action to understand. We're not sure if it's helpful, but it is really cool looking. Try entering "inauguration".
- Bacon, in almost any form, from watches to donuts to Bacolicio.us, which places a sizzling strip over your website. (There's even a bacon bra on Flickr, but you'll have to search for that yourself. It's a little disturbing.)
- Idealware's timely article, "Selecting Software on a Shoestring".
- The SpamTrap, "an interactive installation piece that prints, shreds and blacklists spam email". That's gotta feel good.
- Widgets. The Capitol News Connection has one that lets you "Ask Your Lawmaker". And our new Sprout-built fundraising widget could help as many as 57 people attend the 2009 NTC.
EARLY BIRD DEADLINE
The registration fee for the 2009 Nonprofit Technology Conference, taking place in San Francisco April 26-28, goes up after January 31st.
Since that's a Saturday, and even NPTechies need some time off, you've only got about a week left to get the best price (currently $349 for our Members).
NTC SCHOLARSHIPS
Speaking of the NTC, we're working with Convio to provide up to 57 scholarships to this year's conference.
You can help by giving to the scholarship fund, donating your excess frequent flyer miles, or helping us spread the word by posting our nifty new widget.
WE ARE MEDIA EVENT
The NTC isn't the only event we have coming up: On February 12 and 13, we're bringing We Are Media to San Francisco, live and in-person!
If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and dive deeply into understanding how to craft a social media strategy, we hope you'll join social media luminaries Beth Kanter, Britt Bravo, Rachel Weidinger, and our own Holly Ross for two days of fun and exploration.
UPCOMING WEBINARS
MEMBER DISCOUNTS
Your NTEN Membership lets you save on a host of products and services:
LearnSomething
20% off online courses, including computer, Internet, Project Management, and consulting skills. LearnSomething's online courses combine innovative instruction with scalable technology to help you achieve your learning/training goals.
Horizon Info Services
10-50% off Google Message Security and Google Message Discovery, Powered by Postini, one of the industry's most comprehensive, flexible, and trusted spam and virus protection services.
NTEN CONNECT is the monthly e-newsletter of the Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN).
Flickr Photo: Thomas Hawk.
Contact the editor at editor@nten.org