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djdhi View Drop Down
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Joined: 06 Oct 07
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Posts: 44 		Post Options Post Options   Quote djdhi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: CLASS ASSOCIATIONS
    Posted: 17 Jul 08 at 10:55am

hi.

Which is the best class Associaton site that you have experienced? What factors do you think are important /necessary?  I would list quickness and quality of response as one important factor, together with good recent pics and a willingness to share technical info, and a good members forum.  Other factors might be a good market for boats and gear.  I've experienced the Streaker and Solo websites both of which I think are excellent.

So why can some Associations do it but others can't ? Is the underlying software to blame ?

djdhi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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Black no sugar View Drop Down
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Joined: 04 Dec 04
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Posts: 3941 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Black no sugar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jul 08 at 11:02am

I don't think the software is to blame. Class associations, like most sailing clubs, are run by volunteers with limited amount of time and, in some cases, limited amount of web expertise.

If the club or the class is lucky enough to have people willing to spend some time updating sites, posting photos, making sure everything's up to date, promptly answering queries, you'll get a good service. If your club or class association doesn't provide that kind of service, perhaps it might be worth volunteeering to help...

 

*She says, looking towards Lancing SC quiet members, hehe...*

 

Out of interest, why did you leave such a big blank at the bottom of your post, djdhi? 
Lancing SC
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djdhi View Drop Down
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Posts: 44 		Post Options Post Options   Quote djdhi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jul 08 at 11:37am

No particular reason---- just clumsiness !

djdhi
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Rupert View Drop Down
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Joined: 11 Aug 04
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Posts: 8956 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jul 08 at 12:04pm

Are you talking websites or associations in general?

I found the Solo great in both respects, and it has huge membership. Not sure which way round that comes, but membership means money to spend, so it is possible to put on a good service, which then brings in more members...

Firefly association is great, but their web presence is only slowly coming up to speed, probebly for the reasons BNS put forward.

Int Moths REALLY need a forum as well as the yahoo group...
Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
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ASok View Drop Down
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Posts: 739 		Post Options Post Options   Quote ASok Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jul 08 at 12:43pm

The Dart 18 website is excellent.  The active forum is a great resource and enthusiastic users are always quick to respond.

I'd agree with comments above - its the enthusiatic membership that makes it work.

 
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Stefan Lloyd View Drop Down
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Posts: 1599 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Stefan Lloyd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jul 08 at 2:34pm

Originally posted by djdhi

So why can some Associations do it but others can't ? Is the underlying software to blame ?

I ran a class association website for a few years. It's about people, people, people. You need people to produce copy, open reports, photos. One or two stalwarts can't do it all, at least not for long. The tough thing isn't setting up a site, it's sustaining it over a period of years. It's got very little to do with software. Anyone with a bit of IT knowledge can setup a site and and (say) a phpBB forum which can be run for less than £100 a year, and most classes have a few people with those skills. 
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MerlinMags View Drop Down
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Posts: 588 		Post Options Post Options   Quote MerlinMags Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jul 08 at 3:47pm
Want an inspiring story to encourage your members to volunteer their time?

There once was a chap stuck in a very dull job, but at least he could go sailing and enjoyed website stuff, so volunteered to take over the class site.

He worked very hard over the next 4 years, and tried to make sure the website offered everything people needed - both the keen racers (always wanting reports), the DIYers (sharing photos), and the novices (asking questions). He patiently moderated a very simple forum.

The skills this equipped him with meant that when the best sailing magazine in the land needed a new web developer, he was awarded his DREAM JOB and now sits at his desk grinning contentedly.

www.merlinrocket.co.uk




Edited by MerlinMags
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Contender443 View Drop Down
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Posts: 1211 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Contender443 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jul 08 at 5:17pm

I have expereince of a few CA sites.

First of all I think our Club Site at Lancing is excellent (but then BNS is the webmaster and I want dinner tonight)

The Contender Class is pretty good - it is regularily updated with reports and results and the for sale page is kept reasonably up to date. The only downside it the lack of photos.

The RS site is very good but I suspect this is run by professionals.

I find the Topper and Laser sites confusing with not very easy to use navigation.
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Guest View Drop Down
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Joined: 21 May 04
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Posts: 0 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Guest Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jul 08 at 5:54pm

It all down to the people who are willing to do the work and the members who make them feel appreciated so they carry on ...

The tools are irrelevant; but I do really rate phpBB fwiw ...
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Merlinboy View Drop Down
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Posts: 3169 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Merlinboy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jul 08 at 6:11pm
Merlin Rocket website is awesome hats off to Mags, also the B14 website is truelly brilliant, all the info you could possibly need as well as a really active and well presented forum for those newbie questions that need answering.
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