Changes between Initial Version and Version 1 of opc/notes/2013-13-03

Timestamp:

May 13, 2013, 10:50:54 PM (12 years ago)

Author:

Stephen Mahood

Comment:

--

opc/notes/2013-13-03

@@ +1 @@
+
+== Outcome from March 13, 2013 Meeting ==
+
+=== LOWDOWN PROPOSAL ===
+
+
+==== PROJECT: ====
+
+We have identified that the Lowdown newsletter has untapped potential
+to assist organizational growth, political and media outreach, and
+membership development.
+
+==== PROBLEM/ISSUE: ====
+In it’s current incarnation, the Lowdown is falling short of it’s
+potential.  It is difficult to navigate online, does not have a user
+friendly web interface, email distribution is not optimum, there’s no
+clear visual identity, etc.  It doesn’t look like a newsletter.
+There’s not an easy process for generating content.   The name does
+not currently translate internationally.  It’s unclear who reads it,
+what people think about it.  Great content is being generated but not
+necessarily well utilized for outreach or promotion.
+
+==== GOAL: ====
+To revamp and revitalize the Lowdown
+
+==== PLAN: ====
+Create a dedicated area for the Lowdown articles that resembles more
+of a blog format.
+Stephen offered some great examples of how this could look:
+http://solidarity-us.org/ http://www.labornotes.org/
+The blog will feature columns –
+Draft ideas include:
+tech resources – reviews of open source software with comparisons of propriety
+software and open source alternatives.
+Reports from LC or committee structure
+Reports on work with partners/allies/associations/collaborations– to be more
+transparent about our participation in these forums
+Member profiles/news
+News and Political reporting
+Events and announcements
+Webinars/tutorials of software use
+A job board for tech support/design resources
+Other ideas?
+
+Articles can possibly be opened up for comments or discussion
+
+A searchable database of past articles that can serve as a resource.
+Ideally users could search by date, topic area as well as customizable
+search terms.
+
+We could also create a team to solicit and develop content – ideally
+pulling on members who are journalists, artists and organizations that
+can collaborate on content production.  This idea would require some
+labor/time to manage and needs to be fleshed out.
+
+Considering the need for a name change – we could do some outreach to
+come up with a new name as a way to build interest and help
+pre-promotion.  W e can also organize special outreach to
+relaunch/announce the website with the new name – perhaps with some
+kind of party or special content or something.
+
+==== OUTREACH: ====
+This blog style has a number of benefits:
+We can use to extend a visual identity
+Can link to social media for outreach
+Can be used to outreach to media
+Can be used in recruitment  (we could also open up subscription to non members)
+
+We still need to utilize email outreach about new issues and articles.
+But need to reconsider options for what this could look like.  This
+section needs ideas and detail.
+
+==== TECHNICAL DETAILS: ====
+Civicrm might have most functionality for our purposes, esp. translation
+Development can be set up in stages to slowly integrate new options
+and to allow for expanded ideas such as revised email newsletter
+formatting.
+Process should be considered along with larger web redesign for visual
+and functional consistency
+
+Need tech guidance on what this job will entail in terms of time and
+labor to figure out how extensive the plan can be, where we can set
+limits, what’s feasible and in what timeframe we can accomplish the
+transition.