Digital Transformation Community of Practice

Digital Transformation: A Program for Community Impact Organizations in Nova Scotia

Learn to confidently manage your existing technology, create healthy, measurable data habits, and improve internal and external communications for your impact organization. Participate in guided online courses and a Community of Practice with a cohort of organizations in Nova Scotia to transform your digital systems and improve your work.

Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia (IONS) is pleased to partner with The Human Stack to offer this unique year long program of supported online courses at no cost to 20 organizations in Nova Scotia. We hope this project will help empower these organizations to tackle their digital challenges and transform their organizations through developing a community of support around technology so that organizations can focus on their missions.

IONS will support the 20 organizations in a structured online community of practice with real time meetings and a virtual space to connect, share resources, ideas, and insights about the Digital Transformation program.

Each organization accepted into the Digital Transformation program receives support for 2 staff people to participate in the program – your “Digital Voluntold” and your Executive Director – for a year. The Digital Voluntold can be anyone in the organization who looks after technology and digital systems as part of their job. Learn more about Digital Voluntolds on this Human Stack blog.

Courses

For the Digital Voluntold:

Digital Driver’s Ed – 4-6 Months beginning August 2023

Digital Driver’s Ed for Small Teams is a self-guided video course and transformational community. In just four months, you can start transforming how you think about nonprofit technology and create tangible impact for your team and organization. Break free from feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, stuck, or lost, and learn the right mindset and methods to manage technology for your organization effectively. The program will help you:

- Review your tech stack and paint a clear picture of your current nonprofit technology state
- Put in place healthy data habits to increase the quality of your data month over month
- Give you the confidence and tools to tackle any technology question, complaint, or request you or your team have
- Create and foster a positive digital culture for your entire organization

The program is focused on steady, consistent, sustainable progress. Using The Human Stack framework, every organization will be able to advance their tech management skills, shift their mindset to feel more confident with tech, and produce measurable results on how their tech is improving.

As part of the Digital Transformation Program, there will be scheduled monthly online Community of Practice meetings with the Digital Voluntold Cohort and the Executive Director cohort in Nova Scotia. The Digital Driver’s Ed course also has regular student hours available. As part of the Digital Transformation program we expect participants to complete coursework within 4-6 months, however you would have access to the Digital Driver’s Ed platform and resources for 12 months.

b.world Impact Storytelling – or – Mallory Erikson Power Partners Formula – 4-6 months beginning January 2024

For the second half of the program, Digital Voluntolds can choose between one of two subscription programs, both of which are meant to support the implementation of new digital learning into a practical area that is relevant to your organization.

b.world Impact Storytelling is a subscription to a platform of online resources that will help you combine impact measurement and storytelling to amplify your voice of change. Features include an AI content generator, digital whiteboards, storytelling templates, a data visualizing tool, an impact objective tool that aligns to the SDGs, a task and budget tracker, and document storage.

The Mallory Erikson Power Partners Formula™ is a course that takes all of the guesswork out of fundraising. Step-by-step, you’re walked through how to identify the right Power Partners for your organization, how to engage them effectively (no more ghosting!), and how to get that YES for funding.

For the second half of the Digital Transformation program, scheduled monthly online Community of Practice meetings will continue for the Digital Voluntold Cohort and the Executive Director cohort in Nova Scotia. You will still be able to access regular student hours through the Digital Driver’s Ed platform. As part of the Digital Transformation program we expect participants to complete coursework or try tools and resources within 4-6 months, however you would have access to the subscription that you chose for 12 months.

For the Executive Director:

We are for Good Pro – 12 months beginning August 2023

We are for Good Pro is a subscription to live online workshops, video courses, podcasts, and other resources created for a growing community of do-gooders, nonprofit consultants, coaches and thought leaders.

This subscription runs at the same time as Digital Voluntold’s courses and is meant to support the Executive Director in building new ideas and leadership practices that are supportive of the Digital Transformation program.

As Digital Transformation is a type of organizational change, we know that the outcomes are much better when Executive Directors have a role in the process. The role of the Executive Director is to be an accountability partner and supportive mentor for the Digital Voluntold.

As part of the Digital Transformation program, Executive Directors will be expected to attend at least 4 of the regular monthly online Community of Practice meetings, with the option of attending all of the monthly meetings if desired. The 4 mandatory meetings will have predetermined dates. We will also be encouraging monthly check ins between the Executive Director and the Digital Voluntold to support the progress and objectives of the Digital Transformation program.

Online Community of Practice:

Digital Voluntolds and Executive Directors will have the ability to connect with peers in a supported online Community of Practice, hosted by IONS. We will use the platform Thinkific as a portal to engage in online conversation, share resources, and coordinate people through the flow of the program. The information related to the monthly online meetings will be located on Thinkific.

The goal of hosting the community of practice this way is to have a central online location for all 40 participants in the Digital Transformation program to engage one another, build relationships, and foster collective learning.

Please note that the online content with The Human Stack, b.world, Mallory Erikson, and We are for Good will be accessed through separate online platforms.

Program Details

Format: Part time, asynchronous non-credit online course and community of practice

Location: Online (1 potential financially supported in-person event, TBC)

Course Duration: 11 Months, August 2023-June 2024

Course Work: Approx. 8-12 hours per month (Digital Voluntold), Approx. 4-6 hours per month (Executive Director)

Schedule: Asynchronous, plus weekly “student hours”. Monthly online Community of Practice meetings.

Learning Materials: All learning materials included

Cost: Free upon acceptance of application. The value of this program is approximately $3000 per person

Application Information

Application Prerequisites

- - Have a “Digital Voluntold” who is at a stage of readiness to participate in the program
  - Have an Executive Director who is committed to Digital Transformation
  - Work with an impact organization (nonprofit) located in Nova Scotia
  - Bring values of authenticity and transparency, and a desire for learning and connection
  - Able to commit to a time commitment of 8-12 hours per month for 11 months (for Digital Voluntold)
  - Able to commit to the 4 mandatory online Community of Practice meetings
  - Complete The Human Stack’s Digital Health Quiz before applying

Before Applying for this program, take a few moments to learn your Digital Health Score by completing this Nonprofit Digital Health Quiz from The Human Stack

Take the Quiz

- Applications are now closed.

VIEW 2023-2024 SCHEDULE

PARTNERS

ABOUT Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia (IONS)

Located in Mi’kma’ki, Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia (IONS) connects, supports, and advocates for Nova Scotia’s Community Impact Sector. IONS’ role is to address sector workforce challenges, to build capacity within organizations, and to increase access to expertise, opportunities, and resources. IONS provides skill building and learning opportunities, network connections, and support for impact organizations. Over the past few years, our focus has evolved and expanded to fully embrace our role championing the Community Impact Sector— voicing and amplifying the vital services and work of impact organizations. With systemic issues and major social challenges facing those living in Nova Scotia, we recognize the crucial and urgent need for a more just, equitable, and community-driven approach to re-envisioning our society. IONS is more determined than ever to highlight the need for the Community Impact Sector as a balancing force for social good and positive change.

Alexandra Theroux is IONS’ Operations Manager and Project Lead for the Digital Transformation program.

About the Human Stack

The Human Stack is a dedicated provider of human-centered technology insights, resources, and courses tailored to nonprofit organizations’ unique needs. Our expert team is committed to empowering nonprofits by addressing their technology challenges and offering innovative solutions. Our comprehensive offerings equip nonprofits with the tools and knowledge to harness technology effectively, streamline their operations, and amplify their impact.

Tim Lockie is the Founder and CEO of The Human Stack and uses he/him pronouns. His history with the nonprofit world and technology seems to be intertwined. Tim has 20 years of organization experience as a volunteer, youth worker, camp counselor, music instructor, foster parent, getaway driver for teens in danger, board member, finance director, bookkeeper, recruiter, and community administrator…the list goes on. He has seen system deficiencies range from missed opportunities to damaged relationships in these capacities. Tim believes that Digital Transformation is affordable and scalable for nonprofits of all sizes and is obsessed with The Human Stack.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Digital Voluntold?

A Digital Voluntold is someone who is asked to take on digital responsibilities within an organization despite not having a background in technology.

What is a Community of Practice?

A Community of Practice is a group of people who “share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.”

Do I have to commit for the full year?

Yes, we require that participants of the Digital Transformation program commit to the full 11 months of the program – please consider your time and other commitments carefully before accepting a spot in the program.

Can I take this course in evenings and weekends?

The asynchronous aspect of this course can be done on your own time, however we do encourage our participants to consider this coursework as within job responsibilities. We promote a healthy work-life balance to prevent burnout from overwork and not enough personal downtime for Community Impact Sector workers.

Are there any costs associated with this program for participants?

There are no financial costs associated with participation in the online Digital Transformation program. However, please do consider the staff cost of participation in terms of time spent. There may be some costs associated with an in-person event, however there will be financial support and subsidies available to participants.

We will not be considering participants or organizations from outside of Nova Scotia at this time.

How do I access and engage with the program?

Applications can be made online through the links at the Application section above

We will communicate with applicants and successful participants through email and/or phone calls

Selected Applicants will be emailed a link and login to the IONS Thinkific online platform where you can find the rest of the program links and information. We encourage participants to bookmark the Thinkific website for easy access. You can configure Thinkific to send email notifications and reminders if desired.

What if I can’t make it to every meeting?

We understand life happens. Digital voluntolds can miss one meeting per “semester” – please notify ahead of time where possible, and if a meeting is missed, we will check in with you to ensure things are still on track for you in the program.

Executive Directors and Digital Voluntolds are both expected commit to the 4 mandatory online meetings throughout the year (schedule will be released before final confirmation of participants).

Executive Directors are welcome to attend the other monthly Community of Practice meetings

Student hours with The Human Stack are optional but highly encouraged

Do I need to keep on a strict learning schedule?

You will get out of the program what you put in – we expect Digital Voluntolds to complete their two courses on a timeline of 4-6 months each, however these are asynchronous courses and are available for 12 months after the start date of each, so there is flexibility if you need to learn at a different pace. Please note that the Community of Practice meetings will be correlated to the pace of completion at 4-6 months, so there will be greatest benefit on this schedule.

Executive Directors have no learning schedule as the We are for Good courses are completely asynchronous, however we do encourage participants to take full advantage of their 12 month subscription on a regular basis.

Who can I contact with questions?

Please contact Alexandra Theroux for any questions related to the Digital Transformation program – [email protected]