Meet Sandy Sturgulewski of Family Resources of PA!
TNotes: What is your job title?
SS: System Administrator
TNotes: How did you get into working in nonprofit technology?
SS: Actually came in as a Direct Line Service Worker, then a team supervisor. We purchased a client information system and I became the Database Administrator for that and then inherited all technology support.
TNotes: What do you like best about dealing with your organization’s technology?
SS: Learning new information and applying it to how to run the agencies technology more efficiently.
TNotes: What do you least like about dealing with your organization’s technology?
SS: Learning new information and applying it to how to run the agencies technology more efficiently – those who know me will hear my trademark sarcasm in that statement.
TNotes: What is your big dream for technology in your organization?
SS: To hire a full time IT Specialist.
TNotes: How do you manage your technology role within your organization?
SS: It’s a real tricky balance, especially now that we are experiencing growth and my duties for client information have expanded. Luckily, I have a knowledgeable boss and a wonderful IT vendor that I can pitch things to in a pinch.
TNotes: You are a regular attendee at one of the Bayer Center’s Bagels & Bytes group – what do you get from going to those meetings?
SS: Lots of helpful advice and support, and it gives me some confidence that I actually know what I’m doing and talking about, but it also gives a good time for laughs at what we come across on a daily basis.
TNotes: Any words of advice or encouragement for other nonprofit techies out there?
SS: I have two mottos that I apply to most everything in life: “NOTICE: Lack of planning on your part does not constitute and emergency on my part” and “How do you eat the elephant? One bite at a time”! Those two really keep me sane, and if all else fails educate management on the value of technology and the tool that it can be for your agency rather than the cure all!