Your guide to resources that will help you put technology to work for your cause.

Contribute to the Rebuilding Effort

> Probably the biggest mental barrier to donating online is wondering whether or not your money will be put to good use. During the NTC, we worked with people from both the Community Center of St. Bernard Parish and the Lower 9th Ward Neighborhood Empowerment Network Association (NENA). Both groups are doing good work at ground level.

> Since it just wouldn't be right for us not to mention a social networking site at least once, check out the Facebook Cause set up for the Community Center.

> You can learn about more Louisiana nonprofits at LouisianaRebuilds.info, an aggregator of local resources and stories, and the Lousiana Association of Nonprofits (LANO), whose name pretty much speaks for itself.

Volunteer in New Orleans

> Patricia Jones, Executive Director of NENA, told NTC attendees, "We are grateful for infusions of volunteers and support to help us catch our next wind... If you people know how to help us, bring it on." Dozens of NPTechies donated their time before the NTC at the Day of Service, and we thank them all for their commitment and passion.

> If you'd like to volunteer your time, you might want to take a look at Volunteer New Orleans, the Greater New Orleans Volunteer Connection, or, for a more specific project, the St. Bernard Project. You can find more resources on LouisianaRebuilds.info.

Connect with New Orleanians

> We're pretty convinced that you can't fake being from New Orleans -- where the four seasons "are crawfish, shrimp, crab and erster" -- but it can't hurt to pick up a little of the local dialect. There's even a documentary film about it!

> While we like to think of social networks in terms of Facebook and Twitter these days, it's helpful to remember the term's origins: NPR reports on social clubs in New Orleans. In fact, you might want to explore the entire "Katrina & Recovery" section of NPR.org.

> And, while it might be a little low-tech for some, you should consider -- or encourage your children to consider -- becoming a pen pal.