Re: Region Websites Suggestions & Guinea Pig Needed

[Jody Nolin <835963e01@rewrite.aisboard.org>]

Great analysis of possibilities, Wayne.
We may find that a mix of all three approaches may be needed.  My own
experience is that the technical skills are present, but consistently
motivated people are the missing ingredient.  Or, when you have one, you
are missing the other.....
On the issue of a regular report, we all wish there was one that AIS
recieved in a timely fashion.  In theory, the annual affiliation process
provides the basics on affiliates in a region, but it doesn't have event
information, news, etc.  and sometimes arrives late.
I know that even at the Regional level it can be darn hard to get event
info and news, even for the regional newsletters.  At the AIS level, it's
even harder.
This would be a great topic to present at the convention.


Jody Nolin


On Tue, Aug 19, 2014 at 5:14 PM, Wayne Messer <
6d200f2f1@rewrite.aisboard.org> wrote:

> The feedback from our earlier discussion was that Regional websites are
> important and will become more important.  As I suspected, top barriers to
> having a website are finding someone to set up a website and to update and
> maintain it.  Both time and technical know-how are needed to start and keep
> a website current.  There is also a concern about the costs involved in
> having a website.
>
> For the costs concern, out of pocket costs in setting up a website can be
> zero.  There are a number of services where this can be done - as long as
> you do not want a special name and do not need their advanced services.  I
> consider them a good way to get started and then see if you need more.  The
> special names would be something like irises.com instead of
> irises.wordpress.com.  I'm comfortable with the latter form; but, it
> should
> be a policy decision.  (The current region websites vary with most, but not
> all, being aisregionX.org or aisregionX.com.)
>
> As an example of free services we use, I assume World of Irises is one
> because of its address.  Also all the Facebook pages.  Another example from
> Region 21 is the Club website using Wix for Siouxland Iris Society created
> by their president Mike Becker at:
> http://topdog51031.wix.com/siouxland-iris
>
> To address the other obstacles, there are three general approaches I've
> been thinking about.
>
> 1.  Do it for them.  Similar to what we currently do using the AIS website
> only bringing several pieces together and adding events like their upcoming
> meetings.  It would have RVP contact information, Clubs in the Region and
> their contacts and websites (if applicable) as well as Region events and a
> Regional Newsletter if they have a digital one.  Could be hosted on the AIS
> website (similar to what some regions do for their Clubs) or elsewhere.  It
> would cut out the technical problems (presumably); but, still have the
> challenge of being updated in a timely fashion.  Someone or more than one
> person would need to be designated to let us know what is happening.  Are
> there reports from the Region or Clubs that come in on a regular basis that
> would supply the needed updates?
>
> 2.  Set it up for them to update.  Similar to number 1 except the actual
> updating would be their responsibility.  Updating a page or post is
> generally simpler and less intimidating than creating a website from
> scratch.  We probably would not have it hosted on the AIS website - I don't
> know if it is feasible for someone to be able to edit one page without the
> permission extending to the rest of the website.
>
> 3.  Teach them to set it up and update it.  Have either people or pointers
> to tutorials to help them learn how to create a website.  Then they would
> be responsible for updating it as well.  The result would be similar to
> what we do now; except, there would be a committee of volunteers (hopefully
> plural) to assist them or point the way.  We would publicize that this help
> is available.
>
> I've experimented some with number 1, not creating a website; but, helping
> them get a notice online (using Dropbox in my case) that could be linked
> to.  It can be done; however, number 2 would now be my preferred approach.
> It only requires one person to get something updated, not two.  And I think
> there is a way to do it that takes advantage of their usual workflow.
>
> A website (blog in this case) can be set to update by email.  Both Blogger
> (blogspot) and WordPress offer this.  You just need to know the proper
> email address to send something for immediate posting.  If you can email
> and know how to attach a file to email, you could be all set.  I've set up
> an example of what we might do at:
>
> http://aissample.wordpress.com/
>
> The posts are all things sent by email.  Only the initial setup and the
> About page were created the regular way.  Instead of having the About page,
> this information could be in posts as well, making it easy to add updated
> info.
>
> I would be willing to work with a Region to try this if there are any
> volunteers.  Is AISDiscuss the place to publicize this and see who would
> like to participate?
>
> Comments and suggestions please.
>
> Regards,
>
> Wayne Messer
>
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