Last month, WorldBoston reached out to Tech Networks to hear how we work with Massachusetts Nonprofit Network to enable mission-based organizations to meet their mission via collaboration between leadership and technology. WorldBoston, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of State, was host to a delegation of NGO management professionals from across the Middle East and North Africa focused on entrepreneurship, and wanted some fresh insights from companies operating in the Boston nonprofit sector as part of their International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).

WorldBoston’s mission is to foster engagement in international affairs and cooperation with peoples of all nations.  By means of their nationally-recognized global education and citizen diplomacy programs and networking and community events, they provide people from all over the world – and people in Boston – hundreds of opportunities for learning and connection.

On September 28, Ken Boyle of Tech Networks presented to the delegates as part a week-long series of meetings. His presentation focused on innovative technology, collaboration, and management strategies used by nonprofits in Greater Boston. Ken discussed how Tech Networks’ proactive approach to IT service delivery avoids “reinventing the wheel” and is based off of our experiences helping more than 60 small to medium sized nonprofits in the Boston area. In the past 20 years, we’ve formed great relationships with our vendors to create technology purchasing programs that give nonprofits the most cost savings. Ken stressed how strategic technology advice – whether it be a standalone assessment report, or integration into managed service plans – was a key component in successful strategic technology decision making for nonprofits.

A slide from Tech Networks’ presentation on emerging technology trends

The important themes emerging for nonprofit technology include:

• The need to move to the cloud
• Enabling a mobile workforce
• Data security as security threats and cybercrime continue to evolve
• Outcomes measurement and reporting – “data storytelling” to demonstrate program effectiveness to funders

To see the other emerging IT trends among nonprofits, view Tech Networks of Boston’s 2016 Nonprofit IT Snapshot on our website.

The delegates sit in on a presentation earlier in the week from Cody Damon from Media Cause, a WorldBoston member.

The participating delegates included:

Ms. Fatima ALJAR, Head, Youth Programs, Al Mabarrah Al Khalifia Foundation, Bahrain

Ms. Safaa Hassan ALY, Executive Director, CEDAW Center for Democracy and Human Rights

Mr. Michel Fayez Hakeem BOKTOR, Director, The Association for the Protection of the Environment, Egypt

Mr. Ahmed Shebl Abdelbary SHEBL, Civic Education and Human Rights Trainer, El Gora Association, North Sinai

Ms. Rawan BISHARAT, Co-Director, Sadaka-Reut Arab-Jewish Youth Partnership, Israel

Ms. Asmaa HASAN, General Coordinator and Treasurer, Kuwaiti Peace Movement, Kuwait

Ms. Hanan Saad ALJUMAIAH, Head, NGO Department, Ministry of Social Affairs, Saudi Arabia

Mr. Mazen Ali I SULIMAN, Manager, Faisal Zahid Sporting Park, Saudi Arabia

Mr. Fourati FAKHRI, President and Founder, Sfax El Mezyena, Tunisia

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