Ed. Note: As we prepare for the 2010 Nonprofit Technology Conference, we wanted share a wee bit of the wisdom our speakers will be serving up, so as not to overwhelm you when you get to Atlanta. We're asking them all to share their answers to five very important questions.
Speaker: Lisa Colton, Darim Online
Session: Social Media's Potential for Faith Based Communities
1. What's the most important trend in nonprofit technology for 2010?
Adjusting job descriptions. Social media are tools that should be in everyone’s toolbox (not relegated to the “IT” person only), and the environment in which we are all doing our work is evolving quickly. In the Jewish community, we’re starting to see “program director” positions start to take on “community facilitator” characteristics. In 2010, I expect this to become more explicit, especially with new hires.
2. Why do you think your session topic is important for nonprofits to address?
Faith based organizations -- both local and national -- tend to operate in their own silos, rather than to see themselves as part of the larger nonprofit community. But the constituencies we are trying to reach and serve are using social media like the general public, and faith based organizations need to offer the same transparency, opportunities and customer service as other nonprofits and for-profits do.
3. What's the one thing you want attendees to remember from your session?
As social media “flattens” the landscape, it will (is) having a strong impact on the structure and function of faith based organizations, many of which have developed as fairly “top-down” institutions. For success is this evolving marketplace, I want attendees to realize that the implications range from mission and strategy, to the nuts and bolts of setting up a Google doc, and everywhere in between.
4. Which Muppet do you most identify with and why?
Kermit. My husband calls me “Froggy”. I’m still not sure why. You should ask him (and report back to me).
5. Where can people follow you online (twitter, blog, etc.)?