OK, OK, most people know I am an Apple Addict. I love the technology, ease of use, and just plain coolness. I got the new iPhone 3GS because I knew my wife "needed" my old iPhone. (This is an example of how I rationalize and justify.)  I knew my children "needed" my old (1 year) MacBook laptops, so I sacrificed to get a new one so their needs would be met. You get the idea.

So I got home from a client around 9:30 PM, kissed my wife hello, petted the dog, and then went to my office to begin setting up my new Apple product, my iPad 3G. Around 12:30 I touched the iPod app and started some music, woke my wife, (yes, I was in bed next to her with my iPad.) apologized, and then went back to my office. Really, I wasn't tired yet.  A short time later I realized how old I was and I needed to go to bed.

So now I am in my working day, with client work, and I have three Apple products in front of me – my MacBook Pro, my iPhone 3GS, and my new iPad. 

Here is the question of the day. How am I going to get any work done?

When I get a new email, it arrives on all three machines. When I want to look at a calendar, which device do I use? When I check something out online, which is the best to use? (This one is easier to answer as my MacBook is connected to a 23-inch monitor so it is MUCH easier to use – and see.)

Let's see if I can turn this eNewsletter topic into something relating to you and your development efforts. Here are some things to think about:

1. How much of my day do I spend on technology? I do not mean using "me" as an example, because as you can see I am going a bit overboard with this new iPad. (VERY cool!) But as a development officer in a small shop where everything depends on me, does technology save me time or waste it?



2. As we know, the next generation of donors will embrace technology just as if it is blood running through their veins. It sends life, information, energy, and passion through them. So do I (if over X age, you fill in the blank) become irrelevant if I do not keep buying the latest technology?



3. My wife heard that Tom Brokow, famous TV newsman and author of Boomer generation books, told his kids he would not get Facebook, Twitter, etc. He said he was too busy answering emails. He also said he did not care if everyone knew what he was thinking every minute of the day.  How does that affect those of us that are working with multi-generations of donors TODAY?  Not working some future year ahead – but RIGHT NOW. We need to know how to keep connected RIGHT NOW.



4. I am reading Generations, The Challenge of a Lifetime for your Nonprofit, by Peter C. Brinckerhoff. Very good information on generational giving and views of nonprofits. Check it out.



5. We must understand and be empathetic to the younger generation in that they still have much to learn about giving, organizations, the cost of running a nonprofit, etc. They will not want to admit that being on Twitter during the workday "costs" money, but it does. And they will learn in due time.