Technology in general -- and the internet and social media specifically -- have changed the way we work. And not just by shifting the mediums through which we communicate, but by changing the very nature of what we communicate. Technology is blurring the line between our personal and professional selves and changing our expectations of each other and our organizations. Each nonprofit’s story is more than a mission statement, a website or an annual report. The story also includes the people inside and those on the front lines. It's how individuals represent the mission statement and organizational values that bring the vision to life online and out in the world. Blending individual and organizational stories is crucial to success in the digital age. So, how can organizations and individuals work together to do this? Nancy Lyons and Meghan Wilker of the Geek Girls Guide will speak about the intersection of technology and humanity, and the role of individuals in representing an organization.

1. Technology, Trust &
Transparency

2. Meghan (@irishgirl) Nancy (@nylons)
@geekgirlsguide

3. Follow. Friend. Stalk.
Work: clockwork.net
Podcast: geekgirlsguide.com
Books: geekgirlsguide.com/books

4. #mnnptech

5. Technology, Trust, and
Transparency
(Why is this so hard?)

6. The evolution of
organizations.

8. automation
control
location
time
human cogs

10. And then...
the internet.

11. location
time

12. 2000
“Hyperlinks subvert hierarchy.
In markets and among employees,
people are speaking to each other in
a powerful new way.
These conversations are enabling
new forms of social organization
and knowledge exchange to
emerge.”

14. 2010

15. Why is this so hard?

16. Our brains are stuck.
• We’re conflicted about the blurry line between
personal and professional.
• Organizations are designed to achieve routine outputs,
and communication is no longer a routine
output.
• We want to believe that technology alone can
solve our problem.
• Collaboration and communication are processes, not
tidy achievements.
• Technology evolves faster than individuals, and
individuals evolve faster than organizations.

17. This feels hard
because it is hard.

18. Um, okay.
Now what?

19. What are the values of your organization?
How can you support those values through
information-sharing, collaboration and
communication?

20. • How do you want to be perceived?
• What you are comfortable sharing?
• Who can you connect with?
• How much time are you willing to commit?

21. Internet Thinking
Talking What do we say?
What are others saying?
Listening
Does it require an answer or response?
How can we facilitate connections between others?
Community-building
How can we learn from those conversations?
Sharing How can we encourage conversations about us?

22. Put hierarchy in its place.
• Where in your organization have hyperlinks
subverted hierarchy? Where should they?
• Where are there obstacles that technology
could render obsolete?
• Where is the organization getting in the way
of the mission?

23. Educate & Empower
• Examine your organization critically
• Define your culture and lead by example
• Create a messaging platform
• Set and communicate expectations
• Provide tools: policies, guidelines and assets
• Conduct workshops

24. Our policy.

25. Acknowledge that everyone
represents your organization.

26. Give people the tools they need
to tell your story.

27. Harness personal networks.
(Give @meeterica a shout-out!)

28. Think about how to let people
do things, instead of how to
make them do things.

29. Be trustworthy.

30. At its best, technology can
connect and empower us in
ways we haven’t yet imagined.

31. Recommended Reading
The Cluetrain Manifesto, Rick Levine, Christopher
Locke, Doc Searls, David Weinberger, Jake McKee
Here Comes Everybody:The Power of Organizing Without
Organizations, Clay Shirky
Cognitive Surplus, Clay Shirky
Recommended Viewing
TEDTalk, Amanda Palmer: The art of asking
TEDxAtlanta, Rhonda Lowry: Community

32. Thank you.