Posted in NewsNotes Archive

Issue 76 October 21, 2008

NEWSNOTES is a monthly email newsletter published by NEW. It covers resources available at NEW in Ann Arbor and Detroit as well as items of interest to the nonprofit community in southeastern Michigan. NEWSNOTES is proud to celebrate its seventh year of publication, with delivery to over 1,300 subscribers every month! We welcome your This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it !

NEW would like to recognize the generous support of its Community Partners: The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, the DTE Energy Foundation, The James A. & Faith Knight Foundation, The Lloyd and Mabel Johnson Foundation, Online Technologies Corporation, The Power Foundation, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. And special thanks to NEW's founding partner, the McKinley Foundation.

IN THIS ISSUE

LEAD STORY

The Purposeful Techie: Nonprofit IT with Intention

By Mark Shaw*

The nonprofit “accidental techie” phenomenon is not a new idea. Everyone has one in their office — the staff member who happens to know how to un-jam the printer becomes the go-to person for all manners of organizational and individual technology troubleshooting and repairs. Before he or she realizes what has happened, this person has become the office technology guru.

In challenging economic times, many nonprofits’ reliance on the internal, “accidental techie” will remain a necessary strategy. As such, it may be time for the nonprofit community to turn the “accidental techie” concept on its ear and take renewed control of this resource. Flipping the idea that this role is a burden to one that the role is quite purposeful and absolutely vital opens doors to improved focus and effectiveness in meeting the nonprofit’s occasional need for internal, immediate and efficient support. The time is right to recognize and encourage The Purposeful Techie.

While most Accidental Techies don’t set out to become the unofficial technician of the workplace, some of these clever and committed individuals truly enjoy serving their organizations in this added capacity. After all, technology is no longer a luxury. Without a doubt, business today is married to it. Of course, creating a complete information technology department is not a viable option for an organization with only 20 people on the payroll. If technology enables the nonprofit to better deliver services and outsourcing it in part or in whole is not feasible, many passionate techies welcome moving the organization’s mission further along with their “side job.”

If power of suggestion counts for anything, a refreshing take on the concept “The Purposeful Techie” could drive unprecedented impact and progress for nonprofits everywhere. It starts with retraining organizations and the individuals in this position to think about the role as not that of a passive recipient, but of an organizational victor:

• Accidental? Hardly. While the Accidental Techie never sees it coming, the Purposeful Techie attracts responsibility. A rare combination of innate desire to serve others with an aptitude for technology problem-solving means this person has the drive to both lend a hand and lend their expertise.
• Unappreciated? Many nonprofit organizations — as in the for-profit world — factor in demonstrations of leadership when evaluating staff. The Accidental Techie accepts the above-and-beyond nature of the role without saying a word; the Purposeful Techie references the challenges and rewards of the role when in a job evaluation in hopes of productive, forward-looking dialogue.
• Randomized? Technology is a defined mechanism, not an uncontrolled variable. The Accidental Techie lets office technology happen to him and operates in a reactive manner. With preemptive planning, homework and training, the Purposeful Techie understands how his limitations (and strengths!) have consequences for an entire network. Although an additional investment of time, the Purposeful Techie will help the organization take control of its technology by offering to assist in IT planning and strategies to fund and replace IT, a move that will save the techie time and cycle-spinning in the future.
• Distracted? A major issue the Accidental Techie has with her responsibilities (however informal they may be) is that they conflict with her core job function. Not everyone is a natural born multitasker, but the Purposeful Techie puts in place parameters that allow her to balance competing needs. It’s basic, but scheduling time in her calendar for maintenance and individual computer-user assistance at appropriate intervals in the day, week or month will bring order to the support role and create boundaries. Occasional and immediate user or network issues cannot always be scheduled, but taking control of those predictable or repeatable processes by committing time to them frees the Purposeful Techie to address those unexpected requests for assistance. Finally, there is great pride to be had in filling a role within your organization that no one else is prepared to fulfill. If the organization is aware of the internal techie’s contributions and values them, a request to have the IT role written into a job description is also a way to recognize and support the concerted efforts of this person.
• Isolated? The very nature of the internal tech resource is such that there are likely limited outlets for this person to brainstorm, leverage or just plain vent to his or her colleagues. This, and the fact that technology is not this individual’s core competency, calls for the most successful (and least stressed) Purposeful Techies not to go it alone. Regardless of the organizational IT budget, working with an outside technology support service is going to be necessary. Finding the right external resource to complement what the internal tech guru does is the key. A smart solution for many nonprofits could be the enlistment of a Managed Care Provider to help bear the technology support burden.

Taking control of the way we think of the accidental techie is the first step toward creating a more empowered and strategic support role within the nonprofit. It moves this important role from that of victim and martyr to an invaluable internal resource with a defined set of objectives.

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*Mark Shaw is Technology Consultant with NPower Michigan. This article was first published July 2008. Reprinted with permission of onPhilanthropy (www.onphilanthropy.com ) Copyright © Changing Our World, 2008. All rights reserved.

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FEATURED ITEMS

Join the Doyle Fund Leadership Network

The Doyle Fund Leadership Network is a professional development network for Michigan's nonprofit professionals sponsored by the Doyle Fund for Nonprofit Workforce Capacity Building. The network offers workshops, peer-to-peer networking opportunities and leadership development assistance for its members throughout their careers. The Professional Development Award assists with costs of attending conferences, trainings, etc. for those members whose organizations are unable to cover the cost of their professional development.

Join the Network and and receive a 20% discount off NEW's BoardConnect® board governance trainings.

Email Garland Doyle at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are interested in joining the network.

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Get Connected with ResourceConnect®: Innovative Tech Solutions

Tuesday, October 28, 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
NEW Center, Ann Arbor
Topic: Innovative Tech Solutions: How Penguins and Blogs Further Missions
Speaker: Linh Song, Director, npServ™, NEW

Linh will present an overview of open source information technology solutions and social media tools that will help your nonprofit operate more efficiently and allow you to tell your organization's story. A social worker by training and "geek" by experience, Linh translates technology into plain English. No animals will be harmed in the process.

Register online for just $10. Register by phone (734-998-0160, x 218) or fax (734-998-0163) for $15.

Get Connected is a low-cost, high-value learning and networking opportunity! Join your peers and NEW for a quick get together to address a different issue on the last Tuesday of each month. Pick up some new facts and/or techniques from a leader in the field in a one-hour session. Stay to network with old and new friends. Sessions alternate between the NEW Center in Ann Arbor and Hannan House in Detroit.

Save the date: Tuesday, November 25, Hannan House, Detroit. Look for an email regarding the topic and a link to registration. Are you on our email list? Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (734-998-0160 x 218).

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Nonprofit Buzz: IT Solutions

Thursday, October 30, 9:00 a.m

Listen to NEW's monthly radio show with host Diana Kern to hear Linh Song and Neel Hajra of NEW continue the discussion on IT solutions for nonprofits that was begun in the Get Connected program. Lisa Marie of MetroChick Radio invites you to tune in the last Thursday of every month to gain insight into nonprofit management issues.

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Election Season Update

The Michigan Nonprofit Association's (MNA) Advocacy Action Network recently posted this important information to enable voters:

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Upcoming Trainings: Selected Workshops

• BoardConnect®
  • Building Your Board
    • Thursday, November 6, 9:00 a.m.- noon, NEW Center, Ann Arbor
    • Tuesday, December 2, 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Chesterfield Township Library (Macomb County)
      Description and Registration
  • Starting Off Right: Board Member Orientation
    • Thursday, November 13, 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
      NEW Center, Ann Arbor
      Description and Registration
  • Candidate Training: Serving on a Nonprofit Board
    • Wednesday, November 12, 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
      Detroit Regional Chamber, Detroit
    • Tuesday, December 9, 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
      NEW Center, Ann Arbor
      Description and Registration


• 990 Update Webinar, Presented by Knowledge Congress
  Friday, November 7, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  $199 - $299, with a reduced rate of $149 for nonprofits.
  
  Hear from top experts on the new version of the Form 990 to be used for IRS returns filed in 2009. Update yourself on the realities of the new form which must be thoroughly understood in order to maximize the potential advantages and minimize some of its implementation challenges.  More information and registration.
• Training a Busy Staff to Succeed with Volunteers
  Friday, November 14, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  Eastern Michigan University Student Center, Ypsilanti
  $100
  
  Volunteer management guru Betty Stallings will teach us how to respond to staff resistance, orient staff to the volunteer program, get administrator buy-in, and more. A pre-conference reception with Ms. Stallings on November 13 from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. is also available to 20 people.
  
  Sponsored by Washtenaw Association of Volunteer Coordinators and Eastern Michigan University. Continental breakfast and lunch provided. Register


• New Vitality: Strategies to Effectively Involve Boomers
  November 18, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  Burton Manor Banquet and Conference Center, Livonia
  $50
  
  Explore recruitment, job design, management and retention strategies to improve your volunteer program. Special Guest Speaker: Richard Lynch co-author of Volunteer Management: Mobilizing All the Resources of the Community.  Sponsored by the Michigan Nonprofit Association. Continental breakfast and lunch included. Register online.


• The Grantsmanship Center: Earned Income Strategies
  December 1-3
  Detroit, Hosted by Mission of Peace.
  $575
  
  Attend this 3-day intensive workshop to find out how to generate unrestricted funds, while strengthening your nonprofit organization's core mission, and developing more credibility with funders.  More information and registration, or call the Grantsmanship Center's registrar (800-421-9512).

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United Way of Southeast Michigan Programs

• Martin Luther King Day Projects Sought
  United Way of Southeast Michigan is looking for agencies in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne county that would like to host volunteer projects on Martin Luther King Day, January 19, 2009 from 9:30 a.m.-1:00.p.m. They ask that projects require a minimum of 10 volunteers.
  
  If you are interested in having volunteers at your agency, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 313-226-9450 for an application. Forms are due by Friday, October 31.


• Highlight Your Adopt-A-Family Program
  Post your agency's Adopt-A-Family Program on the Volunteer Solutions homepage. Email the following information to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by Friday, October 31st.
  1) Agency Name
  2) Agency Contact for Adopt-A-Family program
  3) Contact Phone Number
  4) Your deadline to participate in Adopt-A-Family

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Ann Arbor Thrift Shop Seeks Proposals

The Ann Arbor Thrift Shop requests proposals from qualified social service agencies [designated 501(c)(3)] for the Anne M. Hayes Fund disbursements (typically ranging from $2,000 to $5,000) to be made in December, 2008. Applications are available to agencies serving clients in the Ann Arbor School district and are due by November 17. Download an application from the Thrift Shop website , pick one up at the store (3530 Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor), or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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Dynamic Edge 2008 Technology Grant Program

Dynamic Edge has launched their 2008 Technology Grant Program to assist local nonprofit organizations fund a project they may have put aside due to funding issues, lack of expertise, or both. Last year, Dynamic Edge awarded grants totaling $7,500 to several agencies in the Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor areas.

Winning applicants might get start-up funding for a specific IT project; assessment and budgeting for long-term IT needs; or improvements in an existing technology project.

Applications will be accepted through October 31. Find details and application instructions online. Questions? Contact Debra Berman 734.975.0460 x 147.

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Reminders

• National Philanthropy Day, Thursday, November 13, 5:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Dearborn.  Find details at the Assocation of Fundraising Professionals website .

REGULAR FEATURES

Nonprofit Charitable Orgs Newsletter from About.com. Sign up for your own subscription to receive weekly (or even daily) updates from Joanne Fritz. A recent issue linked to The Nonprofit Hard Times Survival Guide featured above.

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Bulletin Board

• Low-Cost Computers
  TechSoup now offers quality, low-cost refurbished computers and monitors to nonprofit organizations. Choose from desktops or laptops -- all by top manufacturers. Backed by a 90-day warranty, every computer comes pre-installed with Microsoft Windows and Office to make setup easy. Learn more.
• Web Site Design
  Students at Washtenaw Community College in the Internet Professional Program need real world projects for their Design Practicum course. Contact instructor This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (734-477-8570).
• Printer/Fax Available to Sublease
  Ricoh Aficio MP C2500 SPF with scanner, printer and fax is available at a discounted price of $150 a month. Price includes the copier, toner, and maintenance for the next 20 months. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (517-294-2197).
• Nonprofit Congress
  Next May 14-16, 2009 in New Orleans. VIsit the website for a sneak peek.

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