Goals & Guidelines for Events/Info on LUWS

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ericb
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Goals & Guidelines for Events/Info on LUWS

#1

Post by ericb »

In our stake, there has been an emphasis this year to use the LUWS to access church-related information -- I would imagine this is the case for many other stakes. As use of this resource has increased, the questions of how it should be best be used/organized has also come up many times. Our ward organizations have been fairly autonomous in the past using their own methods of communication, and now with a stake/church directive in place they are looking to leadership for a 'common' set of guidelines. I think this change and reflection is good...the next step is providing those guidelines. I'm not aware of anything from CHQ or our stake that addresses this.

So...in an effort to move forward, I'm looking to put together (at our ward level, and possibly for the stake) a document that outlines 1) the goals of using the ward website, and 2) some guidelines regarding the posting of events & information. My hope is that with a 'goal-based' vision, we can document some guidelines regarding the organization and relevance of content. Essentially, something that our local leaders and our ward website specialist can reference to address questions regarding content standards, ideas for organizing data, approved/unapproved types of events, consistency issues, etc.

I would appreciate feedback from anyone who is further along in this process and could share what they've come up with. Thank you.
russellhltn
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#2

Post by russellhltn »

Can you give some examples of the issues? In my stake we've fallen into a predictable pattern that works for us, but we've never bothered to write it down.
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ericb
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Examples of LUWS questions/issues

#3

Post by ericb »

RussellHltn wrote:Can you give some examples of the issues? In my stake we've fallen into a predictable pattern that works for us, but we've never bothered to write it down.

I'm working in the context of a ward website, and I've noted below some of the types of questions that have come up (my Bishop has given me the assignment, as Ward Clerk, to oversee this). As you can see based on the sample of questions I've included, we are trying to ensure the content is well organized and consistent. The purpose of the guidelines document is to support & note these decisions, and allow future website specialists and organization leaders the vision behind the site (and that yes, some thought was actually put into what is in place):
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  • Should email notifications go out to members for activities that are not in the near future (say, beyond the next 2 months?). What exceptions, if any, should we have in place?
  • The News & Information section does not (yet) allow for categorization of items. Should we use a 'priority' to cause them to group by organization or group them in some other way? Should items that are date sensitive be put in the Calendar section instead?
  • Do we want to have all of the different organization assignments on the website calendar, or only those that parents of youth need to know about?
  • Should the weekly mutual activities be on the website, and if so, should a summary be included in the description for each quorum/class? If we include something in the description, how far out should this be published?
  • What would be an example of a submitted event that should not be approved? Should we always require a description? Should the titles of the events be consistent to allow easy identification of the organization that submitted it?
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Since posting this thread, we've drafted a page of guidelines that is being reviewed by the Bishop. As noted in my original post, I'd appreciate hearing from others that have worked through a set of guidelines for their ward/stake.
russellhltn
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#4

Post by russellhltn »

I'm not aware of any having worked though formal guidelines, but here's my take:
ericb wrote:Should email notifications go out to members for activities that are not in the near future (say, beyond the next 2 months?). What exceptions, if any, should we have in place?
My suggestion: Emails shouldn't go out if the event is beyond two normal Sundays for the membership to learn of it via the Sunday Program or over the Pulpit. Keep in mind that things like the various Conferences will affect that. I'd consider extending that if it's an event that requires a lot of preparation or the members need to know in advance so as not to schedule anything conflicting (such as events on a Holiday). Even then, I have a hard time seeing beyond a month. (Early November for the Christmas party for example)

By in large, I like to reserve the emails for changes or new events that have been scheduled on short notice. Otherwise the members will simply ignore the emails.


ericb wrote:The News & Information section does not (yet) allow for categorization of items. Should we use a 'priority' to cause them to group by organization or group them in some other way? Should items that are date sensitive be put in the Calendar section instead?
Keep in mind that the top 2 events will be shown on the home page. Beyond that, I don't have any real suggestion.

Some date sensitive things should be a news event. For example the form for a Singles Conference. It's something that has to be done before a certain date, but the application is not an event. Also, you can't attach a form in the calendar.

ericb wrote:Do we want to have all of the different organization assignments on the website calendar, or only those that parents of youth need to know about?
What do you mean by "organization assignments"? As for what meetings, I would draw the line somewhere in leadership meetings. If you were to place every single leadership meeting on the calendar, it would be too crowded. On the other hand some of the bigger meetings such as Ward Council would be a reasonable choice. I would certainly post any meetings for the general Primary, YM, YM, YSA, SA, EQ, RS, HP, etc.

If you're talking about assignments as in "who brings what" or "who is in charge" I'd put that in the description.

ericb wrote:Should the weekly mutual activities be on the website, and if so, should a summary be included in the description for each quorum/class? If we include something in the description, how far out should this be published?
To the extent that it's not burdensome, by all means, do so. I don't think I'd make it mandatory. Some leaders at good at doing those kinds of things, others aren't. There are bigger fish to fry then making for a nice calendar.
ericb wrote:What would be an example of a submitted event that should not be approved?
Only events that have been approved as an event by the proper authority should be placed on the calendar. That creates a problem as the person doing the web page may not be in a position to approve the actual event or the use of the building. This would require them to contact the leadership to see if the event is authorized. That's why it seems to work best to have someone on the Bishopric be the web admin. Either they are "in the know" and/or have the authority to approve.

I'd question the scheduling of private events on the main calendar (such as wedding receptions), unless they are open to the ward.

ericb wrote:Should we always require a description?
It would be nice, but I can't think of a reason to require it.
ericb wrote:Should the titles of the events be consistent to allow easy identification of the organization that submitted it?
.

Yes. I'd suggest using the initials of the organization at the start of the event. It makes it easier for the members to visually filter whats relevant for them.
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#5

Post by jbh001 »

Go to your ward's home page. Click the Administrator Options button to get to the administrators home page. Then click in the upper right hand corner of that page where it says Help.

Some of the issues you mention are addressed in that help file.

Specifically,
Do not show details about Young Men or Young Women activities on the home page.
I initially read this as NO youth activities should show in the home page, and acted accordingly. But after re-reading it, is says DETAILS should not appear on the home page. To me that meant it was OK to show that YW or YM or Cubscouts were meeting on a given night as long as details of WHERE they were meeting were not listed. This is simple to do. Keep the Title of youth events generic, and put the details in the Description where they can only be seen after signing in to the website.

Also
Q. What types of callings can I add as "other" under each of the leadership categories?
A. Callings that are not listed in the local unit Web site (such as sports officials, cultural arts directors, single member representatives, and so forth) and other special callings may be added to the leadership directory when directed by your priesthood leader.
This can be read to mean that if it is not predefined in the Leadership Directory, don't bother adding it unless you are directed to do so by your priesthood leader. This means you might be able to skip adding all the Primary teachers and Enrichment Committee members and such.
russellhltn
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#6

Post by russellhltn »

jbh001 wrote:But after re-reading it, is says DETAILS should not appear on the home page. To me that meant it was OK to show that YW or YM or Cubscouts were meeting on a given night as long as details of WHERE they were meeting were not listed. This is simple to do. Keep the Title of youth events generic, and put the details in the Description where they can only be seen after signing in to the website.
I don't disagree with your interpretation, but there are a couple of problems:

1) Anyone who knows "mormon speak" can guess where 80% of the activities are. So it doesn't seem to offer any protection. (Assuming the issue is predators.)

2) Failure to put something in the title when the activity location is unusual is likely to lead to members showing up at the wrong place. Putting it in the details effectively hides important information.
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