Communications Annual Report FY11

Web Development

Online Directory

Greg Sullivan and our Drupal consultant Ben Stallings developed a prototype of a FUSN online directory over the past year and it soft-launched in May. Early adopters are being invited to test the directory, which is part of the FUSN Drupal-based website.

After much discussion, we decided that the directory framework will be offered without automatically importing information from the office database. The original idea was to import data and each person could choose what info would be visible (if any). Because of technical issues and other considerations, that will not be the case.  In the directory we are launching, each person with a fusn.org account can use the online directions to set up their own directory page with the information they choose to share. Each person makes his/her own decision about privacy.

There will be a congregational-wide launch planned for fall 2011 and opportunities after services to get help setting up directory pages.

Photography—Joyce Pollock is taking the lead on organizing the FUSN Flickr stream photos (300+) and updating the rotating photos on the home page. First goal is to remove obsolete photos and add a few new ones particularly of Erin.

Facebook & Social Media

Naomi spent a lot of time posting on FB in the fall, but cannot continue. Nancy posts updates about FUSNews etc., but not much else is happening. Anne H-M will encourage committee chairs and the Ops Council to post more. Kevin O will try to post more about groups he’s involved with. We are considering making a youth group member an administrator to boost activity.

Sermons Online

This spring, Greg Sullivan and Bob Persons began recording sermons and testimonials and publishing them on the website. This was a great move forward to restoring the congregation’s access to sermons, which have historically been available in print on the website.  At Erin’s request, the sermons are available to members only. Hear sermons online: http://www.fusn.org/sermons

Community Blog—Greg and Kevin are taking the lead on setting this up within fusn.org. Once it launches we hope be able to publish new posts on the home page. Will hope to get committee chairs and boards to use it actively. We need a volunteer team (two-three people) to take the lead on providing content and stimulating discussion.

Maintenance, Updates, and Improvements

• Content updates focused on home page news briefs, the newsletter, board and council minutes, etc. There were also focused efforts like publishing materials for the annual budget drive etc.
• A filter for FUSN account requests was developed to reduce spammer requests.
• Replaced generic FUSN online map with one illustrating FUSN’s location and parking.
• Putting FUSN in Google places (so FUSN shows up on Google maps).
• Re-architecting the sermons area; archive link is now on the bottom of the main sermons page where the recordings are linked.
• Myriad updates: approving accounts, establishing email for RE director search, Drupal security updates, managing issues with our service provider Arvixe, etc.

Outreach

Media outreach was primarily directed at the Newton Tab—press materials about Erin’s installation and the many Adult RE programs were sent by Noreen Kimball with some help from Kevin McCormick.

New Drupal Consultants

Our Drupal consultant has left the business so Greg has located new Drupal consultants who happen to live in Newton. The company is tech-tamer.com [run by Lisa Mirabile and Giles Birch] and we will start using then as one June 1 with the new fiscal year.  We are buying a set of hours to be used as needed to lower the cost.

Annual Web Statistics

For the year ending April 30, 2011, there were 16,985 visits to the site resulting in 61,230 page views. The average visit lasted 2 min., 44 seconds and involved 3.6 pages. Visitors came from 77 countries but the vast majority from Massachusetts.

Goals for FY12

• Increase news access in light of reduced newsletter schedule.
• Promote and populate directory with hands-on sessions after services.
• Teach Adult RE introduction to social media.
• Drupal update—need to upgrade to Drupal 7 (probably in FY12).
• Design review—home page and info architecture (probably FY12); goal is for home page to be less text heavy and to have a monthly photo.
• Support FUSN’s engagement with the UUA theme of the month.
• Launch blog—need team to manage.
• Social Media—need team to manage.
• Increase detailed information in the online calendar.

Chair Nancy DuVergne Smith

Team: Kristin Cleveland, Anne Hess-Mahan, Eileen Kurkoski, Kevin McCormick, Naomi Olson, Kevin Osborn, Joyce Pollock, Nancy DuVergne Smith, Greg Sullivan