Asking the Right Questions about Nonprofit Blogging Readiness

Michael Glibert wrote an interesting thought piece on the N-TEN Blog called Asking the Wrong Questions: Challenging Technocentrism in Nonprofit Technology Planning.  I wholeheartedly agree with his thesis and one that we're keeping mind as we design our NTC session on blogging.

I believe that most practitioners of nonprofit technology planning are asking the wrong questions. Because their questions are largely about technology, the results of these questions are answers dominated by the logic of technology itself, rather than by the mission or methods of the organization.

Many observers will agree that common complaints about technology projects -- resistance to change, long sales cycles, inappropriate technology, unexpected costs, unused tools -- are often the inevitable result of this technocentric planning. The only way to unravel this problem is to go to the source and challenge the questions we ask.

In this short essay, I will touch on three questions of my own: In general, what kinds of questions should planners be asking? What kinds of questions are they actually asking, in the field of nonprofit technology planning? How can we fix this? 

It's worth reading the article as well as the comments.  That's where I found this excellent article by Jillaine Smith and Theresa Crawford on "Key Questions for Beginning E-Advocacy"  which starts off with this:

With the introduction of tools and techniques such as blogs, podcasting, and cell phone activism, many nonprofits are examining their use of technology, and wondering how best to use these tools for organizing and activism.
             

We'll be provocative here and say, "It doesn't matter what tool you choose!" Because frankly, it's  not the tool that's going to make a difference.
             

That's not to say that the new tools for engaging your community are not powerful. They can be and they are. But it is far less critical that your organization choose the most appropriate tool than it is that you are able to make appropriate decisions and take effective action no matter which new tool comes on the market.

                         

The article also includes a very useful worksheet to help an organization think thru these important questions.

 

Technorati Tags: net2, nptech, nonprofit, ngo, non-profit, e-advocacy

Comments

[Marianne Richmond]

Thanks for all the resources on this important issue!
Marianne

[Andre Quintos]

Great find! Just what I needed.

dre