The 2007 NTC Conference is around the corner, well in April, but some discount pricing deadlines coming right up. I'm excited because this will my seventh one! Even though for many years I've had a paying gig with NTEN to coordinate the Day of Service at the Nonprofit Technology Conference (NTC) -- it is THE conference to attend if you work with technology and nonprofits. And, this year I will be attending the conference and coordinating the Day of Service too!
Every year since 2000, the Day of Service provides an opportunity for NTC conference participants to give something back to the local nonprofit community. This year, Washington, DC based nonprofits will have an opportunity to receive free consults. If you are planning on attending the NTC conference and are interested in volunteering, you can sign up as part of your conference registration process.
I just read an excellent summary post by colleague Britt Bravo over at Blogher about virtual volunteering and thinking about all the "real time face-to-face" volunteers that support the Sharing Foundation and helped make our recent fundraising campaign successful. I wonder if face-to-face volunteering or the preference is generational to some extent and how virtual volunteering complements or might potentially replace real life volunteering - probably not.
I do both "real life" volunteering and virtual volunteering. My virtual volunteering lets me offer help to people in remote locations and time zones. Since "real life" volunteering requires that I shower, leave my computer/house, find a babysitter, and walk or drive somewhere - it takes more time and effort. I'm more stingy in my giving of my face-to-face time. although real life connections with other people are more rewarding. But than again, in 9 days (1/11) I'll be eligible for ARP membership, so maybe I represent a transitional volunteer type -- sort of a digital immigrant who is fluent.
I bet Jayne Cravens, a subject matter expert on the topic of volunteering and virtual volunteering, has some writings on this.
I was chatting with Lisa Williams who recently launched placeblogger and who also runs H20, citizen journalist coverage of Watertown, MA. She shared her observations about how many real life, face-to-face volunteer roles are filled by seniors in her town. For example, the election volunteers who are vital to holding elections.
Time to get off the velt (hopefully, I'm using that Yiddish word correctly, Millie) and start gearing up for this year's Day of Service.
It would be on my list, if it wasn't starting on the 2nd day of Passover. With my kids on vacation from school, the seders and the dietary restrictions of the week there's just no way.
It's a horrible week...can't imagine folks are too thrilled with it being on Good Friday, either.
Posted by: Judi Sohn | January 03, 2007 at 03:57 PM