What does the future hold — for our sector, for technology, for our communities, and for ourselves? I honestly don't know. But what if we changed the question: what do we want the future to hold? I have a lot of answers to that. And so do the NTEN staff and board.
We recently had our online fall meeting with staff and board and played a competitive round of NTEN Jeopardy (it's available online if you want to give it a try) and then spent time discussing those questions above. There were a lot of ideas, notes about what NTEN and others are already doing, and opportunities for new or more action. We are still synthesizing the feedback, but some consistent themes have already emerged, including the value of and need to increase the ways NTEN engages the full community in our advocacy work and a real appetite to expand the ways and topics NTEN's advocacy takes on.
We will share more about all of this in the months to come, and I'm so thrilled that we have four new board members who've been confirmed this month to join us in planning all that's next. Please join me in welcoming Aparna, Fadi, Jonea, and Natania to the board! Hear from them in their own words below:
NTEN has been a constant presence in my career development since my first nonprofit job in 2004. It is an honor to join their board and give back to an organization that has done so much for me personally and professionally over the years, and I look forward to serving the community.
I am so honoured to be a part of the NTEN board and to give my time, experience and expertise to further their mission and vision. As a board member, my goal is to listen, to share, and to offer support. I have been a beneficiary of NTEN's kindness and my career has grown in large part because of the courses I took with them, and the conferences I attended. I look forward to giving back in this way.
I am humbled and thrilled to join the board of NTEN - an organization I deeply respect and admire. From courses, conferences, and certificate programs I appreciate NTENs constant quest for evolution and growth. I’m excited to be part of an organization that centers equity, leadership, and capacity building.
I'm delighted to join the NTEN board. I feel honored to extend my support and expertise to the organization and it’s members. And I'm looking forward to learn from everyone I will get to work and collaborate with during my time on the board.
Amy Sample Ward
they/them
CEO, NTEN
Amy is driven by a belief that the nonprofit technology community can be a movement-based force for positive change. Their prior experience in direct service, policy, philanthropy, and capacity-building organizations has fueled Amy's work to create meaningful, inclusive, and compassionate community engagement and educational opportunities for organizations around the world. As the CEO of NTEN, Amy inspires the NTEN team and global partners to believe in community-generated change. Amy believes technology can help nonprofits reach their missions more effectively and equitably, but doing so takes intention and investment in training, access, and collaboration.
