Meet Tina Crisp of Program to Aid Citizen Enterprise (PACE)!

TNotes:  What is your job title?
TC:  Program Coordinator

TNotes:  How did you get into working in nonprofit technology?
TC:  By accident. The Executive Director couldn’t understand why she couldn’t use her out-of-office assistant feature and wanted the agency logo in her email. I did the research regarding the out-of-office assistant issue and found out that she could use this function, but she had to go in the back door of the company that hosted our web site because we didn’t have an Exchange server. The logo part, well, that was just a cut and paste move. And about a year later, we got a new server!

TNotes:  What do you like best about dealing with your organization’s technology?
TC:  I’ve learned so many things about technology that I otherwise would not have known or even cared to learn. Since our organization is a member of TechSoup Stock, I’ve purchased laptops and software for the organization and, the new server we bought allows us to host our own email, making it possible for the E.D. and all of us to use the out-of-office assistant feature.  I have a company that I’ve contracted to help me handle ALL of the “major” issues that are beyond my skill level.

TNotes:  What do you least like about dealing with your organization’s technology?
TC:  They think I walk on water now, so now I’m the “Guru” and handle minor issues too.  It’s time-consuming and I’ve still got a lot to learn.

TNotes:  What is your big dream for technology in your organization?
TC:  My biggest dream was realized when we launched our new website in April, but we are in desperate need of new desktops and monitors.  Our current equipment is about six years old; I would love to have a 19 inch flat screen on my desk!

TNotes:  How do you manage your technology role within your organization?
TC:  With prayer and the help of Net Xperts, the company I have contracted with to help with issues I can’t or don’t know.

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?
TC:  I was, and learned many useful things, but my schedule hasn’t allowed me to attend a meeting in about nine months or so. The camaraderie is awesome, and learning that “you are not alone!!!”

TNotes:  Any words of advice or encouragement for other nonprofit techies out there?
TC:  Read and do your research! Attend Bagels & Bytes as often as you can and don’t be afraid to ask for help. When people find out what you do (especially if you’re the accidental techie like me), they are so willing to help.