Linda Ely, Chair; Betsy Hunt, Web; Ann Cassidy; Directory; Sarah Sangree, Newsletter; Susan Wood, database.
2011 Report:
The Communications committee is responsible for all print and online communications which are sent to the membership, including the membership mailing and president’s letter in January, the newsletter in May, and the printed directory. We also maintain the website www.greensboroassociation.org.
Our major goals for this year were to provide a robust web presence for the Greensboro Association and to enable online communications with the membership.
- In October 2010, the membership database was transferred to our online website. Members can now update their membership information directly on the web by logging into their member area, and can opt-out of paper mailings. Many thanks to Susan Wood for her invaluable assistance with this transfer.
- Beginning in January 2011, communications were sent via both paper mail and online mail, and information was shared on how to log into the website and update membership information. The president’s letter, the membership letter, and the newsletter were all sent via email as well as regular paper mail, and were posted on the website. Thanks to Ann Cassidy, John Stone, Susan Wood and Betsey Hunt for all of the efforts to make this go smoothly.
- A new logo was adopted thanks to Jennifer Ranz, and used on all web communications.
- In April 2011, a more robust calendar function was added to the website, and all registered users can enter events.
- In May 2011 the newsletter was created, printed and mailed entirely via the web – hard copies were sent to all directly from the printer via regular mail. Thank you Sarah Sangree for creating the newsletter copy.
- Ann Cassidy again updated the membership database and the directory, and was the interface for the printer. Thank you again Ann.
Online communications are more cost effective for the Association and enable us to use Association dues elsewhere in the community. Overall, our response this year to adding an online communications facility has been positive, although there have been a handful of members concerned that we would stop paper mailings. We do recognize that there are members of the Association who are not comfortable with online communications and who do not wish to find or receive information in this way. THEREFORE, we intend to continue sending paper mailings to the membership unless a member specifically opts out of this and prefers email mailings. To opt out, sign into your member area on www.Greensboroassociation.org and chose opt out of paper mailings.
Goals for 2011-2012
- To provide an online payment platform for dues, membership renewals and contributions (paper membership renewals and checks will continue to be used as well),
- Maintain the online database as the primary membership and information database, and create the directory from the online membership database,
- To send the membership mailing and the newsletter directly from the printer,
- To improve the use of the calendar function by the community at large, and
- To urge the take up of electronic communications by the membership.
Respectfully submitted, Linda Ely
