The Power of Web Development Outside Tech

My 2020 experience revealed the transformative potential of web development for non-profit and community organizations outside the tech sector. I discovered how technical skills can drive positive change and foster enduring collaborations.

This year, I joined the San Francisco League of Women Voters (LWVSF) Board of Directors. While bearing a traditional name, LWVSF is inclusive of all genders. This organization, with a century of history, boasts over 800 branches globally.

Prior to my board role, I spearheaded (and continue to support) the LWVSF Observer Corps, dedicated to enhancing governmental transparency and civic engagement, particularly concerning policing practices. My volunteer work eventually necessitated direct website management.

I quickly observed the diverse web presence across individual Leagues: some utilize MyLo (a platform developed for Leagues by LWV California), others SquareSpace, and LWVSF employs GoDaddy's Website Builder. I found that foundational HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and a touch of PHP (for WordPress sites) proved surprisingly versatile.

Outside the tech industry, the technical bar is often lower. For basic blogs and static websites, minimal skills suffice. However, as a seasoned software developer, I encountered frustrations: limitations on displayed events, inflexible PayPal integrations, and poor code formatting. Larger issues included unintuitive interfaces and information architecture. Navigating website builders without extensive tech experience is challenging.

The stakes are high. Website errors can compromise donations, recruitment efforts, and timely information dissemination regarding crucial legislative changes affecting marginalized communities.

This underscores the vital partnership between tech professionals and non-tech organizations. Our skills are invaluable to political organizing. Tools supporting social good must be exceptional, and we can contribute!

Consider Rideshare Drivers United (RDU). In 2017, developer Ivan Pardo and a former union organizer driver collaborated on an app to recruit RDU members. I met Pardo through the Tech Workers Coalition and RDU's text banking initiative. We discussed his remarkable app.

This year, Pardo enhanced the app with phone and text banking features for the "No on Prop 22" campaign, resulting in over one million voter texts, some drivers sending over 50,000 messages! The platform's simplicity, effectiveness, and alignment with RDU's activism are key.

Pardo's success stems from his approach:

"I serve the group as needed, but I'm not a driver. Software expertise doesn't equate to organizing knowledge. I invested time understanding the industry, enabling more effective software development."

His advice for involvement:

"Join a pro-people, pro-democracy organization and build software to support their mission."

The RDU/Pardo example highlights the significant impact of tech-non-tech collaboration. Leveraging technical skills to amplify the work of others has been profoundly rewarding, particularly during challenging times like 2020.

Even simple websites and apps can have a major political and social impact. Our ability to organize and operate online, even during a pandemic, is a significant advantage.

Last year's layoffs during the pandemic inspired me. I witnessed friends and colleagues contributing to impactful initiatives: Amy working on VoteAmerica, Chris developing Election Map SF, numerous individuals supporting Native Land, and The Algorithmic Justice League building AI advocacy resources, to name a few.

This year reaffirmed the power of web development for organizations and nonprofits beyond the tech sector. I learned how to utilize my skills to effect change and forge enduring partnerships.

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