Re: AIS: Web Sites of Local Clubs - How Beneficial??

Linda;

I was not sure my short post went through so I decided
to send you this longer version.

Web-sites are extremely important. Clubs bemoan that
their membership is getting older yet one must relate
to younger generations in their chosen venues. The
Internet is no doubt the tool of the future and
eventually every organization at every level will find
it a necessity. But we are all still learning not only
how to use websites but also how to create them. The
American Iris Society has done a lot with its website
but it can still be much better. Visiting that sight,
www.irises.org , can be instructional. Do not model
your site by AISs but look at what you think the site
does right and what it does wrong. 

The best web-sites are constantly improving both their
formats and their information. Ask yourself, what do
you want the local site to accomplish? If attracting
new members than use some tried and true sales
techniques. Make statements of membership benefits
that either use the word you, or are implying the word
you. This involves the person reading it. And ask for
the business.  Example; Our meetings are the third
Thursday of each month at the garden. (YOU) Come join
us and share in door prizes, Iris talk, and
refreshments. Done well, such sales techniques, only
appear as common sense and good will. Without them a
website can be as dull as reading a spreadsheet.

 Each affiliate should link their website to AIS and
to their regional website. This will not only help
people find you but also find us. If you go to the AIS
website and look under links you will find all the
regions that are linked to AIS and all the affiliates.
As more affiliates are added the AIS site will have to
be rearranged by state so that someone could find the
affiliate but for now there are a limited number.

Websites need to be kept up to date. It is a terrible
turnoff to discover that you found a local club but
the phone number for the local contact person is
disconnected. It reflects back on the whole club. If
no contact phone number or e-mail address is given,
one jumps to the conclusion, that the group is not all
that friendly. For someone coming from an electronic
media a postal address is often useless.

Websites need to be organized in such a way that
anything is easily found. Hopefully links to
subsequent pages are intuitive. A good plan for what
you want to present makes for better outcomes.
Remember most people only view a portion of the page
at a time therefore the top third needs to provide
some direction as to the sites content.

I preach constantly to all levels of AIS that we need
to be setting goals for the future in order to be a
dynamic organization. Focus on what your club would
like to be, not what it is, and then use the website
and the local expertise to help create the vision.
Someday if we ever become so good, the affiliates, the
regions, and AIS will have a web of websites that are
seamless and function at all levels to promote Iris
and provide service to Iris lovers.  At present every
affiliate and region website reflects back on AIS and
vice- versa, We are all part of the same organization.
 These are my personal views.  Bob Pries





--- Linda Smith <irisgrower@cableone.net> wrote:

> Hi Anner,
> 
> Well put.  I have the same feelings you do.
> I spend time to get into a site only to find it
> hasn't been updated in 2
> years. Very frustrating.
> 
> That's why we are trying to evaluate if we have the
> manpower to do this
> correctly.
> 
> 
> 
> Linda in CW AZ
> -------Original Message-------
> 
> From: ChatOWhitehall@aol.com
> Date: 06/04/07 06:50:54
> To: iris@hort.net
> Subject: [iris] AIS: Web Sites of Local Clubs - How
> Beneficial??
> 
> In a message dated 6/4/2007 8:39:16 AM Eastern
> Daylight Time,
> irisgrower@cableone.net writes:
> 
> But  don't have a clue if people really look at
> these sites
> 
> and are they  beneficial?? What are some of your
> opinions??
> 
> 
> 
> Since you appear to be asking the group, I'd like to
> say--as a heavy  user
> of
> the Internet for research, communication, and
> amusement  purposes-- that
> none
> of these sites are useful, or a positive reflection
> on  the club, or on AIS,
> if the material is not kept up to  date. Rather the
> opposite, actually.
> People
> hate stale data and  frustration, as well they
> should.
> 
> If you put your face out on the World Wide Web, you
> will want it to be  your
> best face. Having outdated activities announcements
> or or invalid  contact
> information, or a graphic interface that is hokey,
> gimmicky,  or
> unattractive,
> will do you more harm than good. I doubt anyone 
> really enjoys those
> twinkling
> lights and strident colors one sees on some  amateur
> presentations. They
> used
> to call that Angry Fruit Salad back  in the dinosaur
> days.
> 
> Nothing has to be fancy. In my opinion there is a
> good deal to be said  for
> a
> straightforward and dignified presentation of 
> irreproachably fresh and
> interesting information.
> 
> Also, make sure your page looks very welcoming if
> you want it to help
> recruit. Be generous with useful information. If you
> are an AIS affiliate
> you  are
> supposed to be doing public outreach and
> education.You are also always
> supposed to state your AIS affiliation.
> 
> Be real careful about "Members Only" areas. I got a
> note from  someone who
> recently rejoined this list asking me about the
> webpage of one  of the
> Sections.
> She had found it, but said it could not be the real 
> webpage because it
> looked like a commercial site. I think it looks 
> like a recruitment vehicle
> for a
> private club, myself, and I think it is  offputting.
> 
> I'd think the best way to make this decision is to
> evaluate your  group's
> resources honestly and conservatively, then ask
> yourselves the  question
> that the
> builders of the great gothic cathedrals had to ask 
> themselves: do we really
> have what it takes to get it up and keep it  up.
> 
> Cordially,
> 
> Anner Whitehead
> Richmond VA USA
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ************************************** See what's
> free at http://www.aol.com
> 
> 
>
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