Or maybe Gene Berman is responsible. You decide -
Mike & I were chatting at Gene's funeral. He (Mike) said it would be great if our directory could have member pictures in it. My brain is pretty practical, so it immediately went to the problems - cost due to expanded size, problems getting pictures taken, etc.
I do pride myself on listening to new ideas, however, so I didn't say No way, Jose (I mean Miguel). Instead, the fun side of my brain said - maybe we could do that on the website. I've recently had a bit of experience with a new type of self-designed website, so I ran home and put Google to work. And I found Wild Apricot - a Toronto based company that has produced a great user-friendly interactive program that includes web hosting and email capabilities for small groups like ours.
After fooling around - with the program, guys -I leaned on the new board and Larry Rostetter, web designer extraordinare, to come to my house and check it out. Everyone loved it. So we got to work and the result is what you see here.
- In addition to a built in blog, we get discussion forums, event calendars and an online membership listing (you have to login to see it because it's restricted to members only).
- Everyone is pitching in. Since we can do so much ourselves, Larry has lots more time to go for a second shot at KPOA Volunteer of the Year.
- Patty Truax has agreed to change her title from Newsletter Editor to Communications Director and has added web updates to her job description.
- Debbie Evilia, database diva, has agreed to be sure the web database is up-to-date, too.
- Stan Christman, our perfect programmer, is also hard at work -would you believe that he has already integrated the new online membership directory and activity sign-up with his already fabulous KNN databases? That may not mean much to some of you, but let me tell you, it's a big deal! Thanks, Stan - it's been a pleasure working with you.
This website will be nothing without your participation. We hope you will use it and let us know how we can improve.
Susan Bush, President