When Ana Willem sits down to build technology infrastructures for non-profit organizations, her methodology is usually the same.  Gather needs, create database, develop data driven website, and implement key features that all non-profits need such as collecting constituents information or accepting payments.  "Every time I build one of these systems, there is initial setup that I repeat for every site. My thinking is that if we can come together (organizations and technologists) we can develop a framework that is easy enough that organizations can manage a lot of it themselves." says Ms. Willem

Ana created JelloBrain, a company that specializes in creating websites, databases and integrated software flows for small businesses and non-profits.  For the past five years, her focus has been in the non-profit sector creating database driven websites.  With the energy that is flowing around the city right now, she is calling a meeting entitled: How do you build a community bridge? The meeting invites technology professionals, non-profit organizations, entrepreneurs and engaged citizens to talk about how technology can be quickly built and affordable to help the underfunded and struggling organizations and businesses in New Orleans.

Community Bridge Invitation

Ms. Willem hopes that this meeting provides a platform for people to collaborate, brainstorm, and really get things off the ground.  The flier for the event sums up the evenings ideas:

What does it mean to mobilize a community using technology?

What kinds of technologies are best situated to build community and engage people with one another?

How can we make that technology accessible to people and organizations who need it most?

"I do not want it to be MY idea. I want to share something with people that I ultimately think will be a great thing, and I want to see how the idea matures and grows when it enters the imaginations of the techies and non-profit organizers." says Ms. Willem.  After the meetup, details will be posted through her website at http://www.jellobrain.com for further collaboration.

For anyone interested in attending the meeting, it will take place on Tuesday / May 25th, 2010 at 7PM at LaunchPad NOLA (643 Magazine St., New Orleans).