Nonprofit Technology Conference: NTC 2012 – Day 1

I’m here at the 2012 Nonprofit Technology Conference in San Francisco this week and hope to share some brief nuggets.       The conference got off to an exciting start this morning in a very unique way.   Oakland’s Extra Action Marching Band lead the way into the ballroom  with clinging, clanging, trumpets, drums, flag waving, and dancers who danced their hair off.  It was a high energy, off beat and unique way to open a conference.

 
Holly Ross welcomed everyone and thanked the event sponsors who made it possible for 50 NTC Scholarships. As it has become an annual tradition, she shared a video saga of how the NTEN team worked hard to help raise the money for the scholarships.   Amy Sample Ward did a hilarious “who is the room” with asking those who had attended their first NTC ten years ago to raise their (Friendsters) and to shake hands with people who are first-timers (pinterest).   This was followed by the NTENanna awards and colleague Debra Askanase was honored for her support to the community.
I’ve been attending NTC since the beginning and every year have watched the community and the conference grow.     It always feels like a family reunion and enjoying reconnecting with long-time and newer colleagues.