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Accidental Techie: Supporting, Managing, and Maximizing Your Nonprofit's Technology
Binding Information: Softcover Product Code: 069490 ISBN: 978-0-940069-49-7 Publisher: Fieldstone Alliance Pages: 176 Size: 7.5" X 9.25" X .4832" Price: $34.95 How to manage tech support (and keep your sanity!) One day you unjammed the printer and saved the day. But now, somehow, all technology resources have become your responsibility! The Accidental Techie shows you how to create a support system that will help your organization use technology more effectively and make your day-to-day life less hectic. Step-by-step guidance to creating an effective support system This hands-on guide walks you through five projects that, when completed, will give you a comprehensive and usable support system:
You don’t have to tackle the projects all at once or in any particular order. Dive in where it makes sense for you. "Techie Tools" make this guide even more useful You’ll find...
How to get technology funding A special chapter on funding reveals five questions most funders ask to judge technology requests, and gives you tips for creating a compelling request. Build management support for your work Many accidental techies face the challenge of influencing major organizational policies and procedures without real authority to do so. Board members and managers can use this book to understand and support your work. Ultimately, better managed technology leads to better services. Whether you're new to all this or a veteran, The Accidental Techie if your ally. Use it and start making your life easier today! Quotes: What others are saying about The Accidental Techie... “THE required guide for every person working in nonprofit technology, supervising a nonprofit techie, or managing an outside consultant. You need to read this book!” —Sheldon Mains, Consultant and former Director of Technology Services, Management Assistance Program for Nonprofits, St. Paul, MN “Well written and chock full of valuable information and links to still further info...a real gem for those trying to stay on top of new technologies while the technologies themselves seemingly change daily.” —Wes Doak, Mouse Magic! Advanced Resources and Technologies Table Of Contents: Introduction: Welcome Techies! Our Goal: To Help the Nonprofit Techie Manage Organizational Technology Help for Executive Directors Help for Intentional Techies How to Use This Guide Chapter One: What Is an Accidental Techie? Accidental Techies on the Job Managing Technology in a Nonprofit Organization Chapter Two: Conducting a Technology Inventory Inventorying Your Technology Chapter Three: Assessing and Supporting Technology Users User Personalities Creating a User Support System Putting the System into Practice Prioritizing Multiple Requests Tracking Requests and Resolutions and Evaluating the System Staff Training Accessibility, Disabilities, and Ergonomics Chapter Four: Assessing and Purchasing Technology Assessing New Technology Purchasing Technology and Choosing Vendors Identifying Maintenance Contracts and Fees Managing Consultants and Volunteers Volunteers Chapter Five: Protecting Your Organization from Disasters and Data Loss Virus Protection Protecting Your System from Adware and Spyware Ongoing Software Maintenance Backup Systems Security Systems User Workstation Security Network Security Technology Policies Chapter Six: Managing Your Role in the Organization 1. Getting Your Job in Order 2. Document Everything 3. Connect with Other Nonprofit Techies 4. Become a Change Agent within Your Organization Chapter Seven: Finding Funding for Technology How Technology is Funded: The Basics How Funders Assess Technology Requests Six Ways Nonprofits Can Leverage Technology Investments Conclusion: Technology and the Work of Nonprofits Appendixes: Techie Tools Appendix A: The Accidental Techie’s Resource Guide Appendix B: Taking Inventory Appendix C: Database Planning Appendix D: Security Policy Checklist Appendix E: Networking Terms Accidental Techies Need to Know Appendix F: Characteristics of Nonprofit Organizations
Review By:
By: Michael Stein, Nationally renowned author and Internet strategist. - February 10, 2006
"Accidental Techies" get some respect I've finally gotten my hands on the new book The Accidental Techie: Supporting, Managing, and Maximizing Your Nonprofit's Technology, by Sue Bennett, with Tom Battin, Cristina Chan, Eugene Chan, Mary Lester, and Jonathan Stein. I'm delighted to say that it's an outstanding contribution to the field of nonprofit technology and should be on everyone's bookshelf. The premise of the book is that many nonprofit "technologists" have little (if any) formal technology training, and have had to learn a variety of skills on-the-fly such as database planning, purchasing technology, managing tech consultants, maintaining computer networks, hosting websites and much more. The book presents a down-to-earth approach to building a support system to manage technology. One of my favorite parts of the book are the ready-to-use templates, worksheets, and sample policies to plan and organize technology systems. Chapter 6 on the role of the accidental techie in a nonprofit is a ten page tour de force discussion of what has often been a taboo topic in nonprofits. The book is a valuable toolkit to help small and mid-size nonprofits adapt to the technology demands of running today's nonprofit. Kudos to CompassPoint Nonprofit Services and Fieldstone Alliance for publishing the book, and to the funders who supported it. Recommendation By:
By: Keith Huang, The Wall Street Journal Online - November 28, 2006
THE JOURNAL REPORT: TECHNOLOGY Recommended Reading Nonprofit, nongovernmental, grassroots or other mission-based organizations are increasingly turning to technology and new media to get out their message and spur social change. The Nonprofit Technology Network, or NTEN, is a professional community that offers support for those who work in their information and communication technologies at such organizations. Katrin Verclas, executive director, says NTEN advises these groups on using technology to meet their larger goals and also provides a forum for "accidental techies," or those who have with little or no formal information-technology training. Ms. Verclas refers to the people at NTEN as "techies for good." Here is a selection of resources, Web sites, books and online tools for leveraging technology for social change, from Ms. Verclas and other NTEN members. The Accidental Techie: Supporting, Managing, and Maximizing Your Nonprofit's Technology, By Sue Bennett and Tom Battin "This book is essential reading for anyone who has taken on technology responsibilities at an organization without any formal training -- the office or program manager turned 'accidental techie.' It includes step-by-step guides as well as templates and worksheets for various projects from assessing your systems to writing proposals for funding. Highly useful for nonprofit leaders, program staff, and board members seeking to gain understanding of their organization's technology needs." |
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