[conf] NTC 08 - New Orleans
I am still processing all the fabulous information overload from NTC in New Orleans last week. This trip served as my first trip to NOLA and my first non-profit conference.
NTC (Nonprofit Technology Conference), sponsored by NTEN (Nonprofit Technology Network), is focused on networking and collaboration around the concept of using technology to further the cause of non-profits. This year’s theme was appropriately titled, “Building Community: Connections around the globe and around the corner.”
I’ll summarize some of my experiences and take-aways:
- Touching base with other non-profits. I found it very comforting to talk to folks from other non-profits, and discover they have the same challenges. The feeling of not being alone, and also knowing that there are others looking in the same direction as we are at GK, made this conference worth-while for me if nothing else. Reading about organizations that are working to empower youth with 21st Century skills using new media is one thing - but meeting others who are doing it is much more gratifying.
- Sharing the work we are doing at GK. I was honored to speak on two panels this year at NTC.
“Technology Programs That Engage and Support At-Risk Youth” was organized and moderated by Karen Michaelson from Tincan.org. I shared the panel with Karen Manuel from Puget Sound Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology and with Hannah Whitmore, also from Tincan.org. We spoke of case-studies from our organizations of programs that we have found successful in engaging at-risk youth using new media - notably, game design and video production.
“Getting Started in Second Life” was organized and moderated by Jennifer Ragan-Fore from ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education). Joining me on the panel was Josh Knauer from Maya Design as well as Susan Tenby from TechSoup. This panel was focused on giving an overview of Second Life for non-profits of the different ways that current NPs are using SL - and tips and resources for how they can get started using Second Life in their own org. All resources and notes from the presentation are available on the Panel wiki!
- ROI - Return on Investment - this is not something I *ever* put any direct thought into before NTC. I wonder if it’s something considered by those higher than me at GK - or if we really do just ‘wing it’. OLP Director Barry Joseph continually encourages and inspires his staff to use almost all and every social network and new media tool we come across. I found many folks at this con wondering how to know when it’s worth their man-hours to start using networks like FaceBook and Flickr, not to mention Twitter! It makes me wonder if we at GK are losing money and time with all of our networking - or if we are hitting the nail on the head by DOING it?
- Speaking of twitter - this year’s back-channel was more alive than any conference back-channel I’ve ever experienced - check out NTC-08 on Twitter! One week after the conference - and it’s still alive! It seems we’ve finally found the near-perfect back-channel app :)
- New Orleans. Inspiring. I think that having NTC 08 in NOLA was genius. Bringing us to a city that so needs us, as well as bringing us to a city that invokes the true spirit of non-profit just seems like a no-brainer.
- David Pogue
This year's plenary speaker was David Pogue, the personal technology columnist for the New York Times. He sang. I laughed. This was immediately before my first panel - and was a great way to relieve my pre-panel nerves. Thanks David.
Can’t wait for next year!
