Today 1EdTech released our annual report for the calendar and fiscal year 2013. See the press release. See the annual report.
Producing an annual report is a lot of work – and these days when it seems like very few people have time to read one might ask why do we take the time and effort to do this? We first published an annual report for the year 2009 – so 2013 is the fifth edition.
I think there were really two catalysts that got us to publish the report.
The first was that after I came into 1EdTech as the CEO in 2006 it became obvious that not even the Board of Directors much less all stakeholders in 1EdTech were getting accurate financial data and other metrics on the organization. First we corrected the situation for the Board but then the Board also vowed that we should be providing this information to the members and the stakeholders.
The second catalyst was Jan Posten Day, who at the time was with Blackboard, and is now with Pearson. As a member of one of our leadership committees in 1EdTech Jan was adamant that 1EdTech should have an annual report. At the time Jan suggested this we were struggling to keep the organization afloat and I pushed back on the idea because it just seemed like we could not pull it off. But Jan’s insistence made an impression on myself and the other staff – and I think it was within a year or so that we dug deep and got out the 2009 report.
As you will see in this year’s report, 1EdTech has been growing nicely now for eight consecutive years. 
In fact, even though there has been quite a bit of churn in the member base over that time, the consistency in the net growth has been a little scary. It’s scary because we have looked long and hard and have not found any other similar growth pattern in organizations similar to 1EdTech. Indeed during this same period most other organizations classified as “standards consortia” have generally been flat to declining. And, if you look at the historical patterns for standards consortia they tend to grow very rapidly when first originated and then flatten or tail off.
So, 1EdTech is an organization in unchartered territory. In my mind it is all about leadership in terms of which way it will go. 1EdTech has provided a viable organization for those organizations, institutions and suppliers, who wish to evolve an unprecedented collaboration to new heights. Or, those afraid of the disruption that 1EdTech is enabling may slow it down. Everyday I see forces on both sides of that equation and think it’s going to be very interesting indeed as we go forward.
However, I assure you that, means willing, 1EdTech will be publishing the report whether or not the results are as rosy as they have been. Indeed when we began publishing the report we had no idea that the chart data would keep going up for the next 5 years!
But, here’s why I think the report is useful and why you should give it a look:
- In one relatively short document you get a full view of the work of 1EdTech – which is not easy to see if you are focused on one or a few 1EdTech initiatives.
- You can see how the organization is doing in terms of building momentum and in terms of financial strength.
- You can get a great a very summary of the major thrust of 1EdTech and the key initiatives - and a concise commentary on why we are doing what we do.
- You can see the individuals and organizations that are leading 1EdTech.
- It is a format that can be easily shared with someone else whom you might want to introduce the organization to or update on 1EdTech progress.
Hopefully the experience of perusing the report should give you a sense that 1EdTech is indeed a non-profit organization worthy of your support because 1EdTech is changing the education and learning sectors for the better. And, if you look at the range of initiatives that 1EdTech is undertaking you can feel pride in that your support has made this progress possible. I assure you that without your support this work would not have happened – not only not have happened in 1EdTech, but most likely would not have happened anywhere. 1EdTech is that unique in the leadership and collaboration for progress to the education and learning sectors.
As with most “things 1EdTech” the annual report is a testament to leadership. Not the leadership of the 1EdTech staff, but the leadership of the 1EdTech members, both organizations and individuals (like Jan Day above) who are insistent that we must do better in enabling the next generation of education and learning! 
