Flickr Photo: annesliceI came a cross a great article in onPhilanthropy about "accidental techies" in the nonprofit sector. I haven't heard the term in awhile, actually, and was beginning to think that this category of nonprofit staffer had evolved -- as technology has evolved -- beyond the original scope of the term.

When I heard the term, I imagined Sally DoGood, a Program or Administrative Assistant at a local nonprofit who helped her organization move management of their donors' and constituents' information from index cards and file cabinets to spreadsheets on the computer. Sally also updated her organization's web page by using installed software like Dreamweaver. And when the printer's toner needed replacing (or just shaking) or if a paper jam disrupted the office workflow, Sally would be the one to assess and fix the situation correctly.

But with the spread of online and low-cost software, and with easy access to online communities of users who offer support and recommendations, Sally's day-to-day work has probably changed a lot. Now she and others at her organization rattle off terms like "blog," "CRM," and "CMS" with ease.

In the onPhilanthropy article, written by Mark Shaw of NPower Michigan (who happen to be members of NTEN), we are reminded that accidental techies still exist -- especially in this economic environment that promotes cut-backs more than investments in staff or infrastructure. Mark says the real identifier of an "accidental techie" is that his or her involvement with technology decisions and developments at the organization are side-tasks, extra work on top of his or her core job responsibilities.

Mark envisions a new, more effective role for the accidental techie, however, and offers specific steps for turning the "accidental techie" into "The Purposeful Techie":

"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."

Mark brilliantly turns the 5 common negative aspects of the Accidental Techie -- accidental, unappreciated, random, distracted, and isolated -- upside down to create strengths.

This is a very good read for nonprofit staff and leaders. How have you become proactive with your "accidental techie" status? How have you conquered the 5 indicators above? Are you still fixing paper jams? Tell us how you've flipped your "accidental techie" role into a purposeful role for yourself and your organiztion.