Innovation Awards Make an Impact for Ohio Non-Profit Organizations

By Erika M. Pryor
"I will be attending the Innovation Awards," said Lisa Chambers, TECH CORPS Ohio, State Director. "And, I will be presening the award for Innovation in Non-Profit Service Delivery," said the 2008 Award winner in the same category.  Non-Profit Service Delivery semi-finalists are evaluted based upon the "application or implmentation of a technology or process change that has positively impacted the ability of the organization to provide services to their constituents." The Innovation Awards celebrate the spirit of innovation by recognizing outstanding technology achievements in Central Ohio.

TECH CORPS Ohio, was founded in 1995 by Gary Beach, Publisher Emeritus of CIO Magazine. Ohio received its charter in 1999 and, "I've been here pretty much ever since," said Chambers. As State Director, Chambers works with schools in 23 counties throughout Ohio, "building strategic partnerships with corporate supporters, schools, and non-profits." Chambers notes that she was excited to learn in 2007 that the Innovation Awards added the non-profit category, "I thought it was cool! I've been in the technology field a long time and known about the Innovation Awards since they were called the "Top Cat Awards!"  As the 2008 winner,

Chambers indicated that the award "brings validation and credibility to the work that you do because it illustrates that "your peers preceive the work you do is of value and that's great." For the TECH CORPS State Director, the award has "raised the visibility of the organization and that is always key" said Chambers "because the the tech audience is who we get the most support from in terms of financial contributions and volutteers." Being named a 2008 Innovation Award winner "has only helped the organization" stated Chambers.

The Innovation Awards and the technology community in Central Ohio, for Chambers "come together on a regular basis to think about ways to be more innovative and create partnerships." These opportunities become "great resources for people across the community and in leadership positions." For Chambers, the strength of the technology community is illustrated by the range and number of "different things going on, which is exciting."

The 2009 TechColumbus Innovation Awards program is scheduled for February 4, 2010 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The awards show is again hosted by Angela Cambern, Channel 4 News Anchor. Review the 2009 Semi-Finalists and find registration information at: http://www.techcolumbusinnovationawards.org/