Blogs

You like numbers? Here’s NetSquared’s April stats.

The most important metric for me is the number of active groups, because it demonstrates that a city has a hub for nonprofit techies to come together and learn from each other. That it’s up 38% year-over-year makes me very pleased.

Find your local #Tech4Good meetup at http://www.meetup.com/pro/netsquared/

Or start your own chapter! http://page.techsoup.org/why-start-a-group

I'm feeling super energized after hanging out/learning from more than 10 other NetSquared organizers at the 18NTC conference. There's a special magic that happens when we get together in a room... as you know, since you're creating that same community-building opportunity for your own members every month.

Let's highlight the exertise of our members! May's suggested topic, the Technology Show and Tell, is my favorite event format because it's crowdsourced. That means you don't have to recruit a presenter. :-)

How does it work? Participants are given up to 5 minutes to share one tool that helps make them more productive. It can be a CRM, communication tool, fundraising platform, some social media magic-sauce or other clever web tool that helps further their mission, or get work done.

Examples include: Trello, Canva, screencasting, data visualization tools, pivot charts, etc. But your members will definitely surprise you with their demos!

FEATURED EVENT:

May 9: Panel on Sustainability and Impact of Tech Products and Operations

My Confession

I just returned from the Nonprofit Technology Conference (NTC) in New Orleans and I'm still energized. I look forward to NTC every year – it's the only conference I attend religiously. With over 100 sessions it's the how nonprofit techies keep on top of emerging trends and best practices.

But I have to make a confession: in the seven years since I started attending I've sat through less than five sessions. Instead, I treat NTC like Thanksgiving and Christmas combined – an intense family reunion for the 2,000 squabbling/loving siblings who use tech for good. The sessions are interesting, but the real value comes from the relationships we build in the hallways and after-parties.

But I'd say that, wouldn't I? I'm a confirmed community evangelist, having served as a NetSquared co-organizer in Vancouver for the last nine years. I host miniature versions of NTC every month to provide nonprofits with hands-on help and a community of practice to share best practices. I'm convinced that the most effective way to support nonprofit's strategic use of technology is to get out of the way and have them teach each other.

NetSquared just launched in New Delhi with support from Pawan Sharma at Nasscom Foundation.

Join their meetup to be alerted about future events: https://www.meetup.com/NetSquared-New-Delhi/

The first event explored social media for good, including:

I love it when hosting a NetSquared group helps one of our volunteers build local partnerships and grow their reputation as a #Tech4Good expert. NetSquared Conakry’s Boniface Lamah was just selected by Afrinic to organize their prestigious IPV6 training in Conakry in September 2018.

Being a NetSquared organizer gives our grassroots champions a platform to do more good!