Back to work after NTC

Well it is back to work after the inspiration and knowledge gathered at the 07 NTC. Special congrats to Holly and team at NTEN for a wonderful event! With the size of the crowd and level of excitement, I think that Nonprofit Technology is finally getting some of the attention it deserves, now if we could just get a few more CEOs and funders to jump in.

Here are some of my biggest take aways from the event:

• People are desperate to connect and socialize, this is obvious by all the sessions on online communities, blogs, etc.
• Strong messages around tying the tech to mission and to outcomes
• Use of technology by nonprofits has a stark contrast of cutting edge for service delivery and web, but bottom of the barrel for daily operations? Or is that just me?

I had some others, but I think if I add more to this list it would loose its simplistic but powerful appeal. Anyway, nicely done conference.

I titled this blog, back to work, so enough about the conference for today. Here are some random thoughts as the blog promises:

Random #1 - Found this post Ten things (just ten!) that every nonprofit executive needs to know about information technology from Deborah Elizabeth Finn and I have been thinking about this from some time. I have tried to simplify this even more. CEO's at NPOs really only have a couple technology decisions to make (none of them technical). The first two decisions are to give technology the budget it deserves and the second is hire staff that understand not only the technical side, but also the strategy and application of it. Then simply give that staff the opportunity to participate actively in the planning and strategy of the organization, along with the authority and ability to speak up and have a true voice. Is it really that simple? If it is that simple then why dont I see it happening?

Random #2 - Tagging, I am in love with del.ico.us! What says more about a person than the sites they have bookmarked? A big shout out to Marnie Webb for continous innovation in many areas like tagging, she tries to give others the credit they deserve, but Marnie needs the some "props" also. Visit del.ico.us today and take a look at the NPTech tags today!

Random #3 - Anyone else almost cry when they saw that avaaz movie that won the video contest?

Well that is enough for now. It appears I am a bit more positive than last Monday, I guess that is thanks again to NTEN!