In this article, we will explore the challenges associated with losing Digital Voluntolds and Accidental Techies, the importance of retaining them, and how Digital Driver's Ed can help solve this problem.

As nonprofit organizations continue to rely on technology to carry out their mission, Digital Voluntolds and Accidental Techies are becoming more prevalent. These are individuals who have been tasked with managing technology, despite not having a background in it. Unfortunately, many of these individuals are leaving nonprofits. The underlying reason these tech professionals leave is simple. They feel isolated and question if they belong, and it’s because most of their work is underappreciated and ignored.  This is a major problem, as the cost of replacing them is high, and they hold institutional knowledge. While it may be easy to assume that a higher salary would solve this issue, it's actually about creating a culture of belonging and community.

The Challenges of Losing Digital Voluntolds

Losing Digital Voluntolds and Accidental Techies can present several significant challenges for nonprofit organizations. Firstly, the high cost of replacing them is a major challenge. Recruiting, hiring, and training new staff members is not only expensive, but it can also be time-consuming and disruptive to an organization's operations. The process of finding a suitable replacement for someone who has been managing the organization's technology for an extended period can be especially challenging, as it can be challenging to find someone with the same level of experience and institutional knowledge. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a Database Administrator (the closest job description) is 110k and ranges from 89K to 137K. 

Secondly, the loss of institutional knowledge is another significant challenge associated with losing Digital Voluntolds and Accidental Techies. These individuals often have a deep understanding of the organization's digital infrastructure, processes, and workflows. They have developed relationships with vendors and other technology partners, and they may have created custom workflows and processes that are unique to the organization. Losing this knowledge can result in decreased organizational efficiency, and it can take time for new staff members to get up to speed.

Thirdly, the disruption of an established digital culture is another challenge organizations face when Digital Voluntolds and Accidental Techies leave. Digital Voluntolds and Accidental Techies play a key role in establishing a digital culture within an organization. They help to identify new opportunities to leverage technology to advance the organization's mission, and they often introduce new tools and processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Losing them can result in a significant setback in the organization's digital transformation efforts, and it may take time for new staff members to understand the existing technology infrastructure and culture.

Finally, losing Digital Voluntolds and Accidental Techies can lead to decreased employee satisfaction and a negative impact on an organization's reputation, making it more challenging to attract new talent. These individuals are often highly motivated and passionate about technology, and they may have developed close relationships with colleagues. When they leave, it can have a negative impact on morale and may lead to a loss of confidence in the organization's ability to manage its technology effectively. This can make it more challenging to recruit new talent, particularly those with technology-related skills.

In summary, losing Digital Voluntolds and Accidental Techies can have significant consequences for nonprofit organizations. From the high cost of replacement to the loss of institutional knowledge, disruption of an established digital culture, and decreased employee satisfaction, it is clear that retaining these individuals is essential. In the next section, we will discuss the importance of retaining Digital Voluntolds and Accidental Techies and the value they bring to nonprofit organizations.

The Importance of Retaining Digital Voluntolds

Retaining Digital Voluntolds and Accidental Techies is crucial for nonprofit organizations. These individuals hold institutional knowledge that is often difficult to replace. They have developed an in-depth understanding of the organization's technology infrastructure, processes, and workflows. This knowledge is not only valuable in day-to-day operations, but it also helps to ensure that the organization can continue to function effectively in the event of unforeseen events, such as data breaches or natural disasters.

Their passion for technology and dedication to the organization's mission can help to inspire other staff members and create a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

Retaining Digital Voluntolds and Accidental Techies is also crucial for employee satisfaction and retention. When staff members feel valued and recognized for their contributions, they are more likely to stay with the organization long-term. 

Retaining Digital Voluntolds and Accidental Techies is essential for nonprofit organizations. Their institutional knowledge, role in establishing a digital culture, and contribution to employee satisfaction and retention make them valuable assets to any organization. 

The Solution: Leaders Notice and Appreciate Their Work

Leaders in nonprofit organizations must recognize the critical role that Digital Voluntolds and Accidental Techies play in the organization's digital infrastructure and overall success. When leaders ignore the efforts of Digital Voluntolds, it sends a message that their work is not valued or appreciated. This can lead to decreased employee satisfaction and retention, which can have a negative impact on the organization's overall success. Appreciating and noticing the work of Digital Voluntolds and Accidental Techies isn't just a social nicety - it's a core function of leadership.

Accountability is hierarchical attention, and leaders are ultimately responsible for creating a culture of recognition and appreciation within their organizations. They must acknowledge the value of Digital Voluntolds and Accidental Techies and ensure that their work is recognized and appreciated at all levels of the organization. This means taking the time to understand their contributions and providing them with opportunities to showcase their work.

Leaders must also ensure that Digital Voluntolds and Accidental Techies have access to professional development opportunities. This helps them to develop their skills and knowledge, making them more valuable to the organization in the long term; it also shows that the organization is invested in their growth and development, which can help to foster a sense of belonging and loyalty.

In addition, leaders can use performance metrics to demonstrate the impact of Digital Voluntolds' and Accidental Techies' contributions to the organization. By establishing clear performance indicators, leaders can measure the impact of their work and provide data-driven evidence of their value to the organization. This can help to ensure that their work is recognized and appreciated at all levels of the organization.

Leaders in nonprofit organizations must recognize the importance of Digital Voluntolds and Accidental Techies and appreciate their contributions to the organization. This is not just a social nicety - it's a core function of leadership. By providing professional development opportunities, creating a culture of recognition and appreciation, and using performance metrics to measure their impact, leaders can foster a sense of belonging and loyalty among these individuals.

This is a strategic relationship

The relationship between a Digital Voluntold or an Accidental Techie and their leader is crucial to their success and retention within an organization. When a leader believes in their Digital Voluntold or Accidental Techie, it can foster a sense of trust and empowerment that can lead to increased job satisfaction and productivity. This is especially true in nonprofit organizations, where resources are often limited, and staff members must wear multiple hats to get the job done.

Successful digital culture has a nucleus of a strategic leader who believes in a tactical technician, and the stronger the relationship between the two, the better the system will function. When a leader recognizes and values the contributions of their Digital Voluntold or Accidental Techie, it can create a sense of purpose and belonging that can help to inspire them to do their best work.

This relationship can also benefit the leader, as it allows them to focus on other aspects of the organization's mission, knowing that their Digital Voluntold or Accidental Techie is effectively managing the organization's technology infrastructure. It can also lead to increased innovation and continuous improvement, as the Digital Voluntold or Accidental Techie feels empowered to identify new opportunities to leverage technology to advance the organization's mission.

The relationship between a Digital Voluntold or Accidental Techie and their leader is crucial to the success of the organization's digital infrastructure. When a leader believes in and values their contributions, it can lead to increased job satisfaction, productivity, and innovation. Technology consultants will agree that a strong relationship between the two can result in a successful digital culture that benefits the organization as a whole. 

Introducing Digital Driver's Ed

One way to give Digital Voluntolds the attention and support they need is to invest in a program designed specifically for them called  Digital Driver's Ed. This transformational community and course are specifically designed to empower Digital Voluntolds who manage technology for small nonprofits with 5-15 staff members. These individuals often face unique challenges in managing technology for their organization, which can lead to feelings of overwhelm, frustration, and even tech shame among staff members.

Digital Driver's Ed for Small Teams provides on-demand recorded lessons, live weekly student hours, and access to a private community of nonprofit professionals. The course is led by Tim Lockie, Founder & CEO of The Human Stack, and is designed to transform Digital Voluntolds from feeling overwhelmed and frustrated with technology to confident technologists who can effectively manage technology for their organization.

Investing in Digital Driver's Ed can provide numerous benefits for small nonprofits. By participating in the course, Digital Voluntolds can create measurable change for their organization by becoming experienced technologists who can effectively manage technology. This can lead to increased productivity, improved data quality, and more successful technology initiatives.

Furthermore, Digital Driver's Ed for Small Teams can save time and money for small nonprofits by providing Digital Voluntolds with the tools and resources they need to troubleshoot technology issues more quickly and effectively. With step-by-step instructions and access to a community of nonprofit professionals, Digital Voluntolds can ensure the success of their technology initiatives.

Investing in Digital Driver's Ed for Small Teams can help small nonprofits establish a foundational digital culture. This can decrease the tech shame felt by staff and create a more positive culture around technology in the organization. By effectively managing technology, Digital Voluntolds can increase the quality of data for their organization, leading to more informed decision-making, improved program outcomes, and more successful fundraising initiatives.

Investing in Digital Driver's Ed for Small Teams is a valuable investment for small nonprofits. It provides Digital Voluntolds with the attention and support they need to manage technology effectively for their organization. By participating in the course, Digital Voluntolds can transform from feeling overwhelmed and frustrated with technology to confident technologists who can create measurable change and ensure the success of their technology initiatives.

Last words. Please support your digital voluntolds!

Digital Voluntolds and Accidental Techies are crucial to the success of small nonprofits. They bring unique skills and institutional knowledge to the organization, and their contributions should be recognized and appreciated. When they feel like they belong and are part of a community, they are more likely to stay with the organization long-term. 

Investing in Digital Driver's Ed for Small Teams can provide Digital Voluntolds with the attention, support, and resources they need to manage technology effectively for their organization. The course can help them become confident technologists, creating measurable change and ensuring the success of their technology initiatives. By participating in Digital Driver's Ed for Small Teams, small nonprofits can save time and money, increase data quality, and establish a foundational digital culture that benefits the organization as a whole. And if you’re wondering if this is the right fit, reach out and ask.