January 26, 2006 | Read Time: 1 minute
The Accidental Techie: Supporting, Managing, and Maximizing Your Nonprofit’s Technology
by Sue Bennett and others
This book is designed primarily for nonprofit employees who have stumbled into the role of technology “go-to person” at their organization. Written by Sue Bennett, of CompassPoint Nonprofit Services, and others in the charity world, the book gives these “accidental techies” advice on ensuring that their organizations use technology efficiently.
It outlines five projects that employees in charge of technology should complete in order to make their organizations’ computer systems both comprehensive and user-friendly. The book describes how to create an inventory of what the organization owns and determine how to maintain and update it. It also discusses how to assess the technology needs of staff members, and shape a support system that responds effectively.
Other projects include evaluating and purchasing new technology, protecting the organization from computer viruses and other potential disasters, and keeping one’s own skills and knowledge up to date. Board members and managers may also use the book to become better acquainted with the responsibilities of the technical staff and how to support their work.
The book concludes with an appendix listing “techie tools” that provide advice on where to seek other information and step-by-step instructions on completing the recommended projects.
Publisher: Fieldstone Alliance, 60 Plato Boulevard East, Suite 150, St. Paul, Minn. 55107; (800) 274-6024; http://www.fieldstonealliance.org; 160 pages; $34.95; ISBN 0-940069-49-0.
