I run a non-profit and people that come here are very happy for the extra
benefits that they get in helping a person or an organization in a foreign
country. They like the experience and they value their extra time off as
mentioned below. They also look forward to the on-site visits that we make every
3 years. Currently we have people abroad doing the training for us - but they
were included in our seminal training. The stress is less, but when deadline
arrive - it pick up. But the time in between is all brainstorming including the
ICT/IT persons. We use Open Source and have a happy Group that have used Open
Source before. We are just running low on our manpower due to the economic
crisis and thus the shift into the private market place or their own business. I
love working in a non-profit environment - the goals and ambitions are pure.
That's just my opinion.

Asif.






-----original message-----
>>nonprofits typically offer very good benefits for individuals and hence that
is one reason why salaries differ. My big issue is that a technology person
within an organization is not viewed the same as a development or marketing
director. I view someone who is able to effectively understand the complexities
of technology usage in the non-profit sector as an extremely important asset. To
many non-profits don't recognize this value and the importance of it. I think
the best way to encourage individuals to stay in the IT nonprofit sector is to
treat IT professionals the same as fundraising professionals. IT people are not
geeks who sit in the back of the room pulling apart computers, they are
strategic thinkers. I am a development person, understand fundraising concepts
etc.. but I also happen to be able to use a computer and understand technology
and I honestly want to be paid on par with other professionals in the office.
Nothing wrong with that. Also, if more non-profits would collaborate more then
the could afford to pay staff, I am a big believer that your staff is important
and that they deserve to be paid what they are truly worth even if it means the
dreaded cutting of a program.>>