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INTRODUCTION
We just wrapped the Nonprofit Technology Conference in New Orleans. While all of us here at NTEN are physically exhausted, I think we're also emotionally rejuvenated. One reason, of course, is you: connecting with all our community members at the NTC once a year gives us so much energy and momentum. The enthusiasm you share at that event helps us find the wherewithal to get up and do it all over again (once we've forgotten how much work it is!). There's something completely magical about New Orleans, especially now. We met so many amazing New Orleans residents who are actively involved in what LANO's Laura Crochet calls the New Orleans Renaissance. Folks like Deborah Cotton who are helping people connect wherever they are around the country, while sharing those stories with the wider world. Best, Holly
On August 28th, 2005, we had a cool city, an alive, vibrant city. Then the lights went out, and it was the Dark Ages here. In St. Bernard Parish, 25 feet of water in rose in 23 minutes -- not even the length of a sitcom. Slab houses bobbed like ice cubes along the street and floated down 3 blocks. Months later, the house's curtains are still in the windows, dancing; kids’ papers are still on the refrigerator. Like Dorothy in Wizard of Oz, I had to touch those houses, because I had a hard time believing that a house had been picked up and sat down like that. The only reason the community is going to come back is that nonprofits, faith-based groups, schools, colleges, people like you, have come in.
There are some words we are so beleaguered by, we don't use them anymore. We don't say Katrina, we just say "the storm" -- or "the Thing". This is really like living in a civilization that has been shattered and blasted throughout the universe. From the outside looking in, it's hard to imagine the many details that come together to making your life work. Sometimes the basic pieces of information take half a day, even days to track down -- how to get utilities restored, where and when you can find food or gas in your area, how to find your doctor or old medical records. LouisianaRebuilds.info is dedicated to pulling together all the information that can help people reconstruct their lives.
Lisa Stansky, New Orleans Legal Assistance
When it comes to using technology to rebuild New Orleans, sometimes less is more. That certainly seemed true immediately after the storm, when there was no power, few or no land lines, and little or no cellular phone service across a swath of the gulf region. Basic communication tools, when they worked, became lifelines, sometimes literally. What happened? People took baby steps. But the truly remarkable thing, observers note, is that those who were low-tech or no-tech quickly got with the program. Average cell phone users learned how to text. People who never touched a computer keyboard quickly picked up the basics of e-mail communication and online research. 
Brett Meyer, NTEN
The Day of Service, a long-time NTC tradition, gave NPTechies the chance to give something back to the New Orleans community. In spite of some weather related travel delays -- apparently, some pilots didn't want to play hide-and-go-seek with tornadoes -- 2008 saw record volunteer turnout for the DOS. Volunteers traveled to the Community Center of St. Bernard to install a wireless network, others conducted strategy consults with local nonprofits; later in the day, there was also a video blogging work shop. Additionally, a second team of volunteers, led by some great people from Cisco -- who also donated the hardware for the wireless installation -- went back to St. Bernard to train local residents one-on-one.
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. THINGS WE LIKE
A monthly roundup of our favorite nonprofit tech resources. Read more posts on our blog.
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NEW MEMBER BENEFITGoogle and NTEN have a new partnership: NTEN member organizations now receive expedited review of their Google Grants applications. If you don't already know about Google Grants, they allow qualified nonprofits to use Google Adwords for the low, low price of free. JOIN NTEN TODAYJust because the NTC has come and gone for another year doesn't mean it's not a good time to join NTEN. In addition to the new Google Grants benefit, NTEN members save on our webinars, get priority access to our original research, and more. Plus, we're a lot of fun. MEMBER DISCOUNTSNTEN membership brings other rewards, as well: Learning Tree Z2 Systems UPCOMING WEBINARS
NTEN members save up to 50% on our topical online classes. Upcoming webinars include:
CMS SURVEYBuilding on the success of our CRM Satisfaction Survey, NTEN is now asking for your input on Content Management Systems. This short survey will deliver both quantitative AND qualitative results to you. The more people who participate, the better the results will be, so please take just a few moments now to share your experiences. |
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NTEN CONNECT is the monthly e-newsletter of the Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN). |
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Laura B. Crochet, 
Deborah Cotton, 
