Flickr Photo: Jasmic

It's pretty much a given that the coming months will be difficult for the nonprofit sector. I can't predict how bad things will get or how long the downturn will last, but I do know that our organizations will be called upon to serve more, with fewer resources, for the foreseeable future. 

The good news is that the thoughtful, well-researched way you put technology strategies and tools to work is going to help your organization get beyond "weathering the storm", ensuring it thrives during this crisis.

Now is our opportunity, as a sector, to define how the thoughtful use of technology can extend tight budgets by creating efficiencies, diversifying funding sources, and delivering programs in new ways to reach more people. 

NTEN members: you're in the perfect position to make it happen. Your membership ensures you'll be able to pinpoint the most effective technology approach and make the right decisions on platforms and tools through: 

• Access to research on a broad range of technology topics, available at no cost to NTEN members;
• Participation in valuable, discounted trainings from NTEN and our partners;
• Brainstorming and knowledge building via a community of peers with knowledge and experience you can rely on. 

And, as one member recently told me: 

I'm the sole IT person at my non-profit organization (we are a shelter for homeless families), and we are undergoing severe budget cuts at the moment. One of the very difficult decisions that our management team had to make was to eliminate the educational development budget entirely for this fiscal year (with rare exceptions on a case-by-case basis). 

I put in a request to renew my NTEN membership with my fingers crossed, and my appeal was heard - I will be able to renew! 

The management team recognizes the value of this membership even in hard times. 

- Becky Domegan, SOS Community Services, Ypsilanti, MI 

Now NTEN is offering its members even more to boost you through this challenging period. As of January 1, 2009, NTEN is: 

• Providing FREE access to 2008 webinar recordings for events held through 9/30/2008 to our Members; we'll add more on a quarterly basis.
• Fundraising for a 2009 NTC scholarship fund, and facilitating donations of airline miles. (Stay tuned for more on this next week!)

NTEN is here to help you succeed. Your participation in our community makes that more possible, not only for yourself, but for your fellow members. So, thanks for all you bring to NTEN. 

If there's anything else you would like to see us do, my door is always open. You can find me at: 

email: holly@nten.org