NTEN 501 Tech Clubs: More Than an Email List!
Folks who've participated in the NTEN community for a while probably know about NTEN 501 Tech Clubs, but chances are even some of our new members aren't too familiar with these affinity groups -- and I want to change that!
Basically, 501 Tech Clubs are a type of Affinity Group defined by geographical region. They provide a local network of nonprofit and tech professionals for the purpose of sharing information, resources, recommendations, and locally-relevent announcements for jobs and nptech events, among other things.
In addition to the online interaction, a key goal of the 501 tech clubs has always been to provide face-to-face networking opportunities. Since NTEN has such a small staff, we can't actually be in several cities at once to organize and convene events for our community (although we sometimes like to think we have super powers).
So, as with so much of the content and programs NTEN provides, our members step in to help out: all of our 501 Tech Clubs are organized by local volunteers.
Traditionally, tech clubs hold monthly "happy hours": informal meet-ups, usually the same day of each month -- like the last Thursday, for example -- where folks are encouraged to get away from their computer screens and get out and be social at a local coffee shop or pub. At these gatherings, you can make valuable professional connections and engage in discussions that may lead to new ideas or solutions for your nonprofit.
In the last couple of years, some tech clubs have also organized round-table topics or even workshops on specific nonprofit technology issues and strategies.
Why am I bringing all of this up right now, you might ask yourself? Well, this is an exciting week because there happen to be eight 501 Tech Club events scheduled in cities across the country!
How can you get involved?
Join our online community and find the club closest to you.
I'd like to give a special thanks to the organizers who make these events happen. Click on their club name/location to see the event details:
- Jack Eyer, Alabama (our newest - who had their 1st event last week!)
- David Neff and Dale Thompson, Austin
- Laura Quinn and Brenda Peluso, Maine
- Kathleen Sherwin and the TechFoundation, Boston
- Judy Hallman (and her crew of co-organizers), Triangle, NC
- Anna Richter and Donna Arriaga, Portland (Oregon)
- Jenn Smith, Kara Carrell, Joshua Nichols, Chicago
- Martin Dooley, San Francisco
- Jeanette Russell, Missoula
