Craig said...

First of all, I am glad a friend pointed me to your blog. I will make sure to come back often.

I am a big fan of the potential of the stake/ward website. After working to evangelize this tool in a few roles, I offer the following feedback.

Things I like:
- The membership directory, of course, is great. Always up to date and it includes email information too. This is very convenient for me.
- Being able to export calendar items to iCal (etc…) and lists to CSV (etc…) is a great idea. I don’t really use it but it allows for a lot of flexibility.
- I am glad to hear your office is working on a more simple way to sign up for the site. I personally think this is one of the biggest hurdles to adoption. It is unfortunate but the reality is that the inertia keeps a lot of people from getting started.

Things I wish for:
- I would like to be able to email an entire organization, not just the organization’s leadership (controlled by user management?). This would make the website a viable tool for things like quorum/class activity communication and HT/VT reporting requests.
- It would be nice to see the Leadership directory be synchronized with the MLS database. It seems the membership directory is always current but the leadership directory is perpetually out of date. I suppose the website administrator could take care of this but since the information is there, why not automate it?
- I would like to see there be multiple administrators with different levels of permissions. Perhaps the secretary (or presidency) of each of the auxiliaries could have access to add calendar entries for their auxiliary. This would eliminate much of the frustration from waiting for approvals.
- I expected the “feedback” link to be a method to give feedback to SLC not my local administrator. I have lots of ways to contact him/her!

Thanks for hearing me out……

July 1, 2007 7:33 pm #

Steve Hargadon said...

Joel: I am an avid Web 2.0 user, was a bishop, and I don’t use the ward website. I tried to get people to use it for a long time, and it was a huge uphill battle. Those who aren’t tech savvy are one issue, the second is that those who are tech savvy already feel that they are juggling too many calendars, and because of the legal and security issues the Church must face, that the site is a “walled garden” makes it less attractive to use.

It would be a tremendous help to have an RSS feed for the calendars.

July 2, 2007 9:40 am #

Mike Heath said...

It would be nice to be able to get iCal feeds for the Ward/Stake calendars. I hate having to go to the web site to see what’s on the calendar. An iCal feed would make it possible for me to view the Calendar from Outlook or Google calendars or whatever calendar software I’m using.

As my ward’s Executive Secretary, I take my laptop to bishopric meetings, PEC, Ward Council, etc. etc. It would be nice to be able to check the on-line calendars while in those meetings. Since we don’t have wi-fi Internet access at our meeting house, I can’t do that.

July 2, 2007 1:34 pm #

Nathan Gwilliam said...

We’re excited to see the next versions of the unit websites and are confident that the high quality of those new sites will mirror the high quality of recent web applications launched by the Church. Here are a few thoughts you’ve probably already thought of:

(1) Email distribution lists only work for organizations if everyone, or virtually everyone in the organization is included on that distribution list. Currently, organization members can only be included on a distribution list if they have registered for the unit website and added their email. Most members do not see a compelling reason to register for unit websites, and as such the email distribution lists will always be incomplete in the current model. I love Craig’s idea from he post above in which he suggests that there should be a way to integrate data from MLS to keep data current on the unit website, including email addresses. To avoid spamming, when a clerk adds an email address, the owner of that email address would be required to click on a link in an email to confirm that they would like to be included on unit mailing lists.

(2) There needs to be more compelling reasons for members to want to use the websites, such as: (a) expanded calendaring with reminders, integration with other calendaring programs, the ability to work offline at church and sync data at home, and sub-calendars for organizations, (b) regular ideas related to a person’s calling, inspirational quotes and news related to their region, (c) home teaching and visiting teaching assignments, (d) lesson notes and handouts for members who missed a class, (e) photo and video galleries (scouting, girls camps, awards, missionaries, unit activities, etc. all approved by the webmaster), (f) letters from missionaries, etc. Instead of pushing to get ward members to use the unit websites, let’s make the websites something they want to use.

Most members don’t realize that their member number is on their temple recommend. Maybe at tithing settlement clerks could hand out login information with information about why a member would want to use the unit site.

Thanks for what you are doing. We realize this can’t happen overnight, and are sure the unit sites will be amazing when you are finished.

July 5, 2007 2:01 pm #

Gary said...

As a web developer and frequent technology early adopter, people seem to think that I’d use the ward web site all the time.

The truth is, I hardly use it at all. The calendar has potential, but it’s not up-to-date, and the ward has a printed calendar on the back of the weekly Sunday program that is. The directory has potential, but the Relief Society’s monthly printed directory is right by the phone and immediately accessible, and the web site isn’t. When I was the Young Men’s secretary and we were instructed to stop using our own (mailman-based) mailing list, we found the web site mailing features to be entirely unusable; consequently, the YM organization now has no mailing list at all.

The single change that I would find most useful would be to allow individual users to do more. Currently too much depends on the site administrator. Someone’s already suggested allowing the secretaries of the various organizations to update their own calendar items; that would be a great start. Allow them to publish their own news items while you’re at it. And I can’t think of a single good reason why a member who prefers not to be listed in the directory should have to go through the administrator (who may or may not actually do anything about it) to opt out of the listing. Let them do it themselves. On that point I speak from experience — the first ward web site administrator I asked to remove my directory listing never did. Fortunately the next administrator was my wife and was more responsive to the request, but it would still have been nice if I could have done it myself.

July 6, 2007 1:00 pm #

Marilyn Howard said...

I just arrived and am responding to most of the posts I see in this July portion - I may be repeating what has been stated in past months - if so, please just move on and ignore this. I recognize that I am verbose (still working on that corner of needed perfection) but, since this is digital you can pass up reading this and I will never be the wiser…

Actually, you can e-mail an entire organization of those who are Registered Users within that organization IF they chose to receive notifications for that organization - that entirely up to the individual and no website administrator can alter that since it is inside of the Update Profile link accessible only by each individual Registered User. As website administrator there is no ability to “enforce free agency” and make everyone receive the e-mail notifications or be Registered Users.

I have also thought that the MLS database supplying the information in the Leadership directories would be great. This is from the perspective of one serving as a Ward and a Stake Website Administrator who does not always get all information passed on in order to keep things updated properly. Those of us hoping for this function of the current system have to be prepared to understand that it would not be a panacea only a possible improvement since, all information, whether input by a Ward/Branch/Stake Website Administrator or a Ward/Branch/Stake Clerk, is only as correct and as promptly available as the human serving in that capacity is able to do. I am still quite in agreement with the automation of this information being supplied in the same manner as the membership directory information is.

This seems like a point where the “to show or not to show” personal information in directories - printed from the Clerk’s office or available to ONLY Registered Members of each specific Stake should be addressed. If the clerks were directed not to have certain information available by lists (paper or digital) then it simply would not appear. As a Ward Website Administrator, my first task was to call each member of the Ward and ask if they minded having their information viewable in the website to Registered Users of the Stake. That is because I actually read the “Help” link’s information before embarking on the service I can give through this calling. As the Stake Website Administrator, I continually encourage the Website Administrators throughout our Stake to read and re-read the “Help” section from both the “blue screen” (what all Registered Users can view) and from inside the “green screen” (the behind-the-scenes administrator’s options windows). I usually send out a broadcast e-mail to all Stake Registered Users encouraging them to read or re-read the information and instructions found in the “Help” link to better familiarize themselves with the guidelines and the possibilities.

There are multiple administrators with different levels of permissions. There is no need, however, for representatives of each auxiliary to have access to the Administrator’s Options screens. This could cause some major entanglements - too many cooks in the kitchen, if you will. If “Help” is read , leaders would recognize that they are the ones that should be going to the online calendar, submitting the events, meetings, news and information and thereby having part in this coordination (too many website administrators are not doing their units justice -they aren’t directing all users to read all of the useful information in the “Help” link). This problem is solved in our Ward and Stake by often sending out to all leadership an e-mail broadcast with the instructions as to how to submit an event (organizations leaders’ responsibility just as it was on paper), what needs to take place before the submitting (getting proper clearance), stating to include at the end of the Details for the event who cleared the event and the contact person’s information. If that information is not stated, the Stake Presidency directed that it does not get posted until communication to that affect is received (the submitter’s e-mail is a link on the window of the event being considered to post - opening the line of communication). When it is done incorrectly a kind reminder that the key information is missing that will allow it to be posted is sent and that has always been sufficient to get things running smoothly. The “cleared by whomever” part is erased and the event posted if there is not a conflict. Our leaders are also reminded to schedule the resource associated to the event they submit. The Assistant Website Administrator functions as the Stake Building Coordinator and takes care of that entire portion of the website. That person receives the e-mails associated to scheduling resources and the Stake Website Administrator receive the e-mails associated to the event calendar and the News and Information. The buildings with a Family History Center have a Resource for the Center and the Director of that Center is given rights to coordinate that particular resource and is in no way able to access any other “behind-the-scenes” information. That Director receives any “Feedback” e-mails that are associated to the Center. The same thing occurs for the Stake Boy Scout resources - separate administrator does the scheculing, receives the associated e-mails, etc., etc. When the need arises for cross-communication for usage of those resources, the Assistant Website Administrator addresses that directly by “Submitting an Event” like anyone else would do.

This marvelous tool that our Heavenly Father has placed at our disposal is one that we all need to spend just a little more time getting familiar with and try doing it the Lord’s way instead of our own way. This is most definitely coming from the perspective of a hard-headed woman who often bangs up her head before realizing that Heavenly Father really does know best. There is never the thought that He doesn’t know best, it is just that this brain and mouth shoot off far too quickly before listening and becoming teachable. The more I listen to the Lord, the more wise I become.

July 8, 2007 3:06 pm #

D Ross said...

I use our Ward Web Page all the time.

We have added current information to the Meeting Times area and to the Message area. Also the 4th Sunday lessons that the Stake selects are added to the front page and hard links to the LDS.org Ensign article are posted as well.
This allows registered and non-registered users access.

I would like to see a way to upload data to the calendar and lesson area… and leadership.

It doesn’t matter if it accepts an Excel format or even an XML format. This would save a lot of time and make it possible to keep a current list of all items. Then update it (re-write current ones) when necessary.

Part of the problem with people not using the calendar information seems to be that the text used is short and meaningless. They don’t give any more details in the detail area than they do on the heading. Things like time, place, directions, special intructions etc…

July 11, 2007 2:42 am #

Paul Cardenas said...

Joel, a few stakes in South America West Area are really interested about the potencial option, in the new Church Handbook are instructions about stake and ward websites. Will be possible put more information about Latin america implementation into web site?, and if is possible in spanish, because we can direct people to an official information site. And the stakes begin their process to find a website steward and preparing people.
Thanks.

[Joel: Yes, Paul. We are working to make this available for languages other than English.]

July 12, 2007 2:14 pm #

Henry said...

I’m interested to know more of the international development, particularly the British Isles! I imagine some difficulties with our data protection legislation on the member directory front.
It seems that our membership is increasingly an online community but I can foresee resistance from some to the use of calendar etc. Sounds as though the calendar format lacks information a little like the ones hanging on the noticeboard at present! This depends on the person providing the information surely?

July 18, 2007 10:57 pm #

Michael said...

I’m sorry, I’m still not understanding the delay in having these websites available outside the US and Canada. What is the hold up?

It’s not that the translation - what about England and Australia? Even Germans read enough English.

It’s not that there’s no need or demand - a lot of countries have a higher percentage of internet-using population than the US and Canada. We were using the internet for church stuff for years before lds.org appeared.

Please help me understand.

Joel: There are a number of issues. Data privacy laws in some countries is one issue. The focus on new sites that are internationally focused is another issue (not wanting to divert focus to the old sites). We’re working hard to make available more useful and engaging web sites for the world, and not just for the U.S.

July 30, 2007 4:48 pm #

Richard Scroggin said...

I use both our ward web site and the stake web site a lot. They are wonderful. However, because I’m currently serving in the stake presidency it would be more convenient to be directed to the stake web site rather than my ward web site when I log in. How about putting a check box or two option buttons in our profiles that would allow us to indicate which web site (stake or ward) we’d like to be logged into initially? That would be very convenient. Thanks.

August 16, 2007 11:50 pm #

Brad Dalton said...

I just moved to Utah from Virginia where we used the ward web site all the time. Oddly, here in Utah our ward has not yet caught on to this tool. The Bishop has asked me to be the web administrator for our ward. I contacted the stake web administrator, but he was recently released and said he can no longer access the system. So, how do I get administrator access? I have not been able to find any information about how to do this. Can you please point me in the right direction?
Thanks very much.

August 27, 2007 9:35 am #

KeVinci said...

Too slow, too complicated, too un-lifestyle-inviting.

First suggestion:
Try putting it on a cell phone or an iPod. Yes, the whole thing. No, it doesn’t have to be an iPhone. Just make it quick, simple, accessible (most of all portable) for the masses. (ie. 3 times as many cell phones as PC’s worldwide, and growing, and just as many iPods, soon)

In fact, take the whole web site, and simplify it so it works on a screen the size of any handheld…and deploy. You’ll find maybe 3-5 features that people really want, really need…(kill the rest) and it will force you to make it easy and accessible – like an iPod interface.

You’ll give 1000 times the immediate access you now have, and you’ll learn how to simplify design features to what really matters.

PS: Why Fort Knox security? If we have to exceed banking standards, we’re getting a little creepy. If we can’t do that, then lets build another site designed for fusing non-members with members, so we can be really effective at what we’re asked to do as members, rather than very very isolated.

Which brings me to my second point..

Second suggestion:
Make the thing friendly to a non-member. Test it with non-members. Can they find our Church, come to our Services, feel invited and welcome. Why not? And ask it again: Why not? This site shines our light in our hidden areas, behind walls…not on a hill for all to see, participate, come unto…unless we reinterpret the scripture to say “come unto Christ [and be frisked]”.

Are we really this closed, protective, insulated? If we are. God help us be better.

September 13, 2007 10:10 am #

David Phillips said...

I was trying to put the ward directory into my Outlook to sync with my PDA and I can only get the first entry to save. How can I get the rest?

September 18, 2007 9:39 pm #

Jeff R said...

1 of the mods I would love to see added would be lesson schedules for all the different quorums. Not just Sunday School and Priesthood/Relief Society but a lesson schedule to include Primary, Young Men/Women. This would benefit everyone who uses the ward website. My ward has a lot of people who are not tech savvy and even to the point fear tech but making getting registered and logging in simpler will help ease transition.
Another feature that would be neat is to add RSS feeds from the ward/stake website news.

September 20, 2007 9:34 am #

Nate said...

– My $.02 –
I. Ward Calendar
Pro:
(1) Calendar export.
Con:
(1) No live updating for calendar (RSS, iCal subscription, etc). Having to download a new calendar as the calendar changes is sub-optimal.
(2) No integration with non-web applications for changing/adding. e.g. no uploading text files for populating calendar, no integration with any other calendaring app. “Walled garden”

II. Membership Directory
Pro:
lots of export options
Con:
(1) no way to update my own information, or add a family picture.
(2) no automatic update of leadership list from ward MLS. (The Elder’s Quorum presidency list from 1+ years ago is still listed as current)
(3) no automatic update of missionary list from ward MLS. (The Elder’s Quorum presidency list from 1+ years ago is still listed as current)

January 11, 2008 10:25 pm #

Darren said...

Perhaps someone could create a script that would logon to the LDS.org site and download the most recent version of the calendar and auto update my own Google Calendar?

February 17, 2008 12:07 pm #