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I\u2019m moderating a panel at an upcoming conference sponsored by Salesforce<\/a>. They have some serious star power at this conference. Dr. Jane Goodall, Leslie Odom Jr, Amal Clooney.<\/p>\n And me<\/em>.<\/p>\n Trying to squelch my imposter syndrome<\/a> I recorded a panel last week with some fabulous nonprofit leaders. I was asked to moderate and we talked about tech.<\/p>\n We talked about what the nonprofit sector learned about tech in 2020 and what leaders need to do with that lesson in 2021.<\/p>\n In a prep conversation, I told the panelists about a client who, pre-pandemic, saw tech as being under the Director of Operations on the org chart along with HR and Finance. But as he moved through 2020, he saw that virtual learning was a vital part of his programmatic offerings and always should have been<\/strong><\/em>. By year end, his young and creative tech guy was a member of the senior team.<\/p>\n Time for a rant and a call to action.<\/p>\n We have pigeonholed tech as an operations function for way way too long. And because of how we have seen it, funders have seen it that way. Under that four letter word that is actually eight letters, OVERHEAD<\/em>.<\/p>\n So today, let\u2019s talk about one of the biggest things that should NEVER EVER go back to the way things were in our sector. Treating tech as overhead.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Before 2020, most nonprofits were asleep at the technology switch. Come on \u2013 you know I speak truth here.<\/p>\n Often run by older CEO\u2019s, organizations struggled with how to use \/ maximize social media and tech. Risk averse leaders steered clear of blogging unless it was promoting a program or an upcoming gala. Website messaging? Often a hot mess because investment in messaging was not a priority.<\/p>\n Online engagement was something that was seen as nice to have (\u201cOh look, we had 10 likes on that post!\u201d) but not tied to any kind of real business goal or success metric. And the latest technology for staff? If you can still turn on that 9 year old (or older) computer, we\u2019re good.<\/p>\n How about virtual service delivery (think telehealth for ex)? Well, that was in year 2 or 3 of the strategic plan because it will take us at least a year to get it up and running.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what you may have said at one time or other back in the day:<\/p>\n Tech as overhead is done. Technology was in fact the centerpiece of the ability of nonprofits to pivot and adapt in 2020. It was the “Nonprofit MVP”.<\/p>\n Close your health center doors and within a week, you are offering that TeleHealth program you said would take a year.<\/p>\n Museum doors close and virtual tours offer visibility of your collection to those for whom there were all kinds of barriers to entry.<\/p>\n Children\u2019s theatre program shuts down and kids use video and zoom to make movies instead.<\/p>\n Schools transformed the delivery of education and caused faculty to develop innovative curriculum.<\/p>\n Houses of worship brought us together in creative and engaging ways at a time when we needed so desperately to be connected to our faith.<\/p>\n One more. Online galas were accessible to more people, not just elites. And how happy did it make you that you didn\u2019t have to worry about whether you fit into your fancy clothes? Galas in PJs. A blessing \u2013 plain and simple.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what you may be saying now. Or what you should<\/strong><\/em> be saying.<\/p>\n In 2020 the sector embraced what others knew long ago. That technology is not just a tool but rather central to your engagement strategy, to your client service strategy, to your development strategy.<\/p>\n The power in your organization does not ultimately rest with you and the board. Really Joan? Stay with me.<\/p>\nTHAT WAS THEN<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
THE MESSAGE OF \u201cTHEN\u201d<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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THIS IS \u201cNOW\u2019<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
THE MESSAGE OF NOW<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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TWO IMPORTANT HEADLINES<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n