The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) invited Aspiration to design and facilitate an event focused on Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) development in Africa.

Despite the use of informal and occasionally salty language, Craigslist Foundation was kind enough to post a podcast of Aspiration Executive Director Allen Gunn’s recent presentation at the 2007 San Francisco Boot Camp.

Using the soap box as his publishing platform, gunner opined on a range of nonprofit tech challenges, best practices and pathologies before heading off to babysit his nephew and niece.

Thanks to Craigslist Foundation for creating a venue in which people passionate about nonprofit technology were able to come discuss and share knowledge while strengthening the network of nonprofit practice!

San Ng is transitioning from the Aspiration Board Room to Aspiration headquarters. San joins Aspiration as Director of Programs and Operations after serving as Program Director for ICT for Governance, Law and Civil Society at The Asia Foundation. Welcome San!

Heather Carpenter, Aspiration’s outgoing Assistant Director, is moving south to San Diego. Heather will be a PhD student in Nonprofit Leadership at the University of San Diego and Executive Director of the Jenna Druck Foundation. Heather has done a FANTASTIC job getting Aspiration’s operations into top-flight shape, and we’ll miss her passion for nonprofit excellence. Thanks and best wishes to Heather!

San has more than 13 years of non-profit experience in ICT in international development. Prior to joining Aspiration, she was the Program Director for ICT for Governance, Law and Civil Society at The Asia Foundation, a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, and open Asia-Pacific region.

The Nonprofit Open Source Initiative (NOSI) is gearing up for a new phase of activity, and they are hosting a series of salons to hear what nonprofit users are thinking about open source software and its role in the nonprofit sector. In what ways is the connection working? How is it not? What kinds of new ideas and resources are needed? They're also looking to start conversations on how to get nonprofits involved in the open source community. How does NOSI foster open source development in the nonprofit sector? How do they educate nonprofit technology staff and consultants on the ethos of open source software, not just its practical applications?

Michelle Murrain of NOSI and Allen Gunn of Aspiration will co-host the salon, and anyone interested in open source for nonprofits is invited to bring your ideas and passions for open source. Snacks and beverages will be provided. We'll be meeting at The San Francisco Nonprofit Technology Center located at 1370 Mission St. 4th Floor, in San Francisco, from 5:30-7:00 pm on December 11th. Please come by, and lend us your ideas, and tell us what you think NOSI should be tackling in the next year.

And if you can't come to the Salon, check out the newly updated NOSI website and leave comments!