Flickr Photo: david reeceIn the nonprofit sector, we've been maligned as slow tech adopters for a long time. Having worked in this sector for a decade now, I suspect this used to be one strereotype based on some truth.

But I don't think it's the case anymore. In fact, I see our sector grappling with some of the same technology issues as our much bigger counterparts in the for-profit world.

This is certainly the case when it comes to technology leadership. Witness the recent TechRepublic article: "The CIO is Dead (Long Live the CIO)". The argument? If your job as CIO is focused on operations and helpdesk, you're worthless. You should be focused on how IT can leverage the program, marketing, and overall strategy of your organization.

From the article:

Flickr Photo: matuko_aminiRaise your hand if getting funding for your tech projects takes longer than implementing the projects themselves.

Halfway through the year, most organizations are starting to think about budgets for the next year. The lobbying, pleading, persuading, and cajoling begin early, as every one of your departments vie for a piece of the budget pie.

How do you get yours?

Flickr Photo: Timmy ToucanI admit it: I use the terms CIO and CTO almost interchangeably. To me, the CIO/CTO split was like the distinction between Executive Director and President -- a matter of taste.

Turns out, I'm totally wrong. According to TechRepublic, there's a big difference betweeen the CIO and the CTO, and it has to do with who you serve. The CIO serves an organization's internal audience, or its staff. The CTO focuses on an organization's external audience, or clients, stakeholders, donors, etc. Check out the full breakdown.

So, what happens if you're the only techie at your organization? Are you the CT&IO?