There are cats gifs in this post because I’m hella excited.

Excited because I’ll be spending the first part of September in a room with some of the nation’s best nonprofit minds in a gathering organized by the Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN).

Part forum, part leadership academy, the Leading Change Summit is billed as an exclusive gathering where nonprofit leaders can learn strategies and get feedback from the sector’s heavyweights.

Facilitators include nonprofit tech queen Beth Kanter (Beth’s Blog) and technology strategist John Kenyon, the New Organizing Institute’s Bridget Marie Todd and Peter Campbell, who has been managing technology at nonprofits for 20 years.

Those are some cool cats.

smart cat

There’s a leadership stream for executive directors, digital strategy segment for marketing, communications and fundraising staff; and Future of Technology discussions for IT directors.

The three-day intensive costs $550 for NTEN members or $750 for non-members. Right now, the fine folks are offering the membership rate to friends and partners with the discount code LCSPartner200. But seriously, join NTEN – it’s a great bunch of people, they do amazing work and the development and networking opportunities are excellent.

Let’s look at those streams in detail

Future of Technology looks at how nonprofit organizations respond to change and how tech leaders plan for an increasingly tech-savvy and innovative workforce.

Laura Quinn, Idealware founder and executive director, said it was the access to like-minded people that inspired her to sign on.

“I’m excited to brainstorm with all the amazing nonprofit technologists out there about the technologies that can help the nonprofit of the future,” she told NTEN.

cat computer

I’ll be attending the Digital Strategy track, which will help communications and fundraising executives make the case for digital investment, frame their stories and develop integrated, data-driven strategies.

Michael Stein, Donordigital senior account executive said he wanted to learn new strategies to consider and talk with his peers.

“This track is a unique opportunity to step back from my day-to-day work with clients and to ask myself: What’s missing from my tool set to make my clients more successful at raising money online, growing their email lists, or impacting social change?”

cat vision

For the visionaries running nonprofits, the Impact Leadership stream promises discussions about organizational culture and practice, pain points and ways to improve technology – all guided by professional trainers who are nonprofit leaders in their own right.

The phrase “facilitated by Beth Kanter” should be enough for you. Anyone who has seen her speak will know what an energizing and knowledgeable resource she is for our sector.

leader cat

Are you going? I’d love to connect. I’ll be the sheila in the black hat that can’t stop herself from live tweeting. Please say hi!

Event Details

Leading Change Summit
Cost: $550 for NTEN Members / $750 for Non-members (Early Bird rates)
(Includes meals, receptions, access to full program, and more!)
When: September 3-6, 2014
Where: Hilton San Francisco Union Square, 333 O’Farrell St., San Francisco, CA