Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management |
TechNotes eNewsletter
October 2003 | |
| Who supports the technology in your organization? Do you have an 'official' IT person or staff, do you contract with an outside vendor, or do you rely on the kindness and skill of someone with other job responsibilities? This month's TechNotes deals with the ongoing dilemma of technology support in a nonprofit.
Be sure to read the article by Jeff Forster, our Director of Technology Services, on Edward Tenner's thoughts of unintended consequences when relying on unofficial or accidental technical support. This may make you want to rethink your support strategy. We've also included other resources to help you address any support issues you may have.
As always, the Bayer Center staff has a variety of services to help you think through your technology. Let us know if there is a way we can assist you! |
In This Issue:
- Article: The Cost of Unintended Consequences
- Nonprofit Technology Support Resource Directory
- Technology for Leaders: Salaries for Technical Staff
- Nonprofit Wins Tech 50 Award!
- Food for Thought
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Article: The Cost of Unintended Consequences
What would someone who's thought really hard about technology's true impact in our lives have to say about the phenomenon of the "accidental techie," the person who, by dint of technological acumen or interest, becomes the de facto network administrator or troubleshooter in an organization? Edward Tenner, author of "Why Things Bite Back; Technology and the Revenge of Unintended Consequences," calls the pitfalls of depending on unacknowledged peer support to make good use of our computers a "rearranging" revenge affect. The term means that we "save time by having computers accomplish things for us, but before they can do them we take time from our colleagues."
Read more about Edward Tenner's thoughts. |
Nonprofit Technology Support Resource Directory
If you're not familiar with our Technology Resource Directory, you might want to check out the latest version. This directory provides a listing of technology support providers who work with nonprofits in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Those listed have been recommended by nonprofits and Bayer Center staff have met or talked with all of the providers listed to gain a better understanding of their philosophy and services. Many offer discounts to nonprofit organizations and all have something different to offer which you can see in the index to services at the end of the directory.
We make an effort to keep this updated four times a year. You can either request a copy of the directory in hard copy or download it from our website in pdf format. If you like using Adobe Acrobat, the pdf has bookmarks and indexes that make searching a little easier.
To download a copy of the latest directory, please visit
BCNM Resource Directory
To request a hard copy of the directory or if there is a technology partner who should be listed, please contact Sallie Wormer at wormer@rmu.edu |
Technology for Leaders: Salaries for Technical Staff
If you're not sure you're paying your technical people the right amount, you might want to take a look at two perspectives. The first is data collected in the 2002 Wage and Benefit Survey of Southwestern Pennsylvania Nonprofit Organizations ¿ a collaborative effort between the United Way of Allegheny County and Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management at Robert Morris. This document can be downloaded at:
http://www.unitedwaypittsburgh.org/uwac/searchforservices/guides_directories/wb.jhtml
The second is InfoWorld's 2003 Compensation Survey. Those participating are primarily IT professionals in for-profit companies, but the comparison is worth examining if you're looking to lure or keep highly trained and experienced technical staff.
http://www.infoworld.com/reports/SRcomp.html |
Nonprofit Service Provider Wins Tech 50 Award
Congratulations to 3 Rivers Connect, named a recipient of the Pittsburgh Technology Council's Tech 50 Awards on October 16. This year's theme was 'kicking up dust in southwestern Pennsylvania's technology sector' and 3RC was a finalist in the service provider category. Most, if not all, of the other recipients were for-profit businesses. Not bad for a nonprofit!
The other winners can be seen at http://www.imakenews.com/techyvent/e_article000193969.cfm |
Food for Thought
The race of mankind would perish did they cease to aid each other. We cannot exist without mutual help. All therefore that need aid have a right to ask it from their fellow-men; and no one who has the power of granting can refuse it without guilt.
--Sir Walter Scott
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To learn more about the Technology Initiative at the Bayer Center, visit us at http://www.rmu.edu/bcnm or give us a call at 412-227-6814.
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