OK - it is pouring out - so I am really reading all my emails - sorry for the length of
this - but, some of the issues the SCs are discussing right now, will directly impact our
WI CCs - here is my response to the recent proposed bylaw change -
I would love to hear your thoughts on why or why not branding would work in Wisconsin and
what level of branding would you like to see implemented, if any (ie banner only, all
graphics, to include background, index formatting, etc) - consider what changes would
need to occur, and how it would affect our researchers, and the timeline needed to
implement across all the counties - Example - I know many of us are already branding our
own counties - so would you consider just using a "Wisconsin banner" for the top
of the pages and keeping the rest of your site as is???)
Whether you are for it - or against it - I would love to hear your thoughts - to avoid any
"hurt" feelings or perceived personal attacks - please keep your comments on
task - that is, keep your post impersonal - it is not necessary to say I agree with xyz -
or I disagree with xyz - just discuss your thoughts - it will be apparent who you agree
with and don't agree with - and it will allow the more quieter individuals to voice
their opinion - remember, once you post your point of view and thoughts - it is NOT
necessary to agree or disagree with every post - just sit back and read the
"discussion" - and process what is being said or NOT said - lol -
If you would like to comment but not have your name on the post - send it directly to me -
and I will remove all your personal identifiers and post it for you -
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----- Forwarded Message ----
From: MAK - Transcriber <maktranscriber(a)yahoo.com>
To: state-coord(a)rootsweb.com
Sent: Thu, January 21, 2010 11:14:31 AM
Subject: Branding and the USGenWeb sites
I tend to agree this recent by-law proposal is a guideline issue - however, Right now,
we are requiring the SC to "police" for the USGenWeb logo onall their CCs
site's and we can't control that, so, the new proposed
bylaws or guidelines suggest SCs will now be responsible to try to enforce it
on"non-USGenWeb" sites - sorry I am ROFLOL -
Rather than put another rule in the by-laws - Has anyone discussed having only ONE
official logo (banner) for all USGenWeb pages at the National level and watermark it, and
copyright it and have them in the National pages graphics to link to all the National
pages -
The same could also be done at each of the State's level - one offical State Logo
(banner) for each state (they agree upon it, which includes the official National logo
with clickable link) - in the state directory, that all CCs link to - don't have to
download upload etc - or it could be a simple cut and paste code - or a template which
cc's could use - especially ones who have difficulty with code sourcing -
With all the computer guru's we have, not only would that would eliminate a lot of the
problems - but linking to graphics, rather than have how many hundreds of CCs downloading
the graphic to their computers and then uploading would allow more space on the servers
and faster uploading of pages - and also it would discourage other's from using the
logos/links without permission - as a spider search could find and report them.
Also, it makes more sense in terms of branding - In most professional organizations,
branding is an important concept - branding allows the public to immediately recognize the
"brand", letting their customers know it is a legitimate page within the site -
(example - look at the coca cola symbol which has been around for a half century - we all
recognize it when we see it - can the same be said about USGenWeb???)
I applaud all the states that have made a conscious decision to brand their state pages -
you go to their state and CC pages - and you KNOW it is an offical page under that state -
no one has to tell you - the banners are all the same - as are the logos - it is easy for
the SC to "police" and their researchers immediately recognize the offical pages
within the projects - (examples which come to mind immediately are below)
KY -
http://www.kygenweb.net/
KS -
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/index.html
With those of you not familiar with the way other states "do it" - go to the
index at
http://usgenweb.org/ and take some time going through the other states - you will
immediate see how much easier it is to research in a state which is more cohesive -
Yes - there are some obstacles, and it would require compromise and teamwork - but it
could be do-able - even though, Early on, when the USGenWeb decided each CC and SC could
have a wide berth on originality and creativity - we weren't as big - and we needed
volunteer incentives - however, as USGenWeb grew - the lack of cohesion within the state
projects has contributed to some of the confusion and conflict with "outside
sources" using USGenWeb like logos on non-USGenWeb pages -
While I personally like having my own "stamp" on my pages - I understand how the
"branding" would give our states our own identity - but still fall within the
National USGenWeb guidelines - and still allow any researcher to go from state to state
without wondering if it were a USGenWeb project page - Personally, I have
"branded" all my county pages - so as a researcher goes from page to page, they
immediately KNOW when they are not in that county project -
I would really love it if all our states would "consider" discussing this with
their CCs - right now, we are asking for a national and state logo on all the pages - so,
would it really be pushing it much to ask for a "consistent" state banner on all
the state pages, to include the county CC pages - ??? below it - they still can have
anything they like - or each state can develope guidelines on their "index" page
- etc - there is still room for a LOT of creativity - and teamwork -
Just my thoughts - for more information on "branding" - why and why nots - and
how to do-s -There are several great articles at
http://www.usmansheikh.com/?s=branding
I would love to see a discussion on "branding" and alternatives from SCs who
have tried it and it has worked sucessfully for your state - and/or those of you who have
proposed it and it fell to dear ears, pro's and con's - problems with
implementation - etc - thank you in advance -
R/S MAK
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----- Original Message ----
To: state-coord(a)rootsweb.com
Sent: Fri, January 15, 2010 4:14:51 PM
Subject: Re: [STATE-COORD] Proposed Bylaws Amendment
At 05:57 PM 1/15/2010, you wrote:
There are those CCs out there right now linking the USGenWeb logo to
sites
that are not even a part of the USGenWeb and don't reflect well on the
USGenWeb. With nothing in the bylaws about what the logo can be linked to,
there's not really anything that we can do if the State Coordinator won't
deal with the situation even when it's reported to them.
And what are you going to do when it is part of the bylaws and the
State Coordinator STILL won't do anything?
Quoting one of the AR CCs who said it much better than I can:
Bylaws structure an organization and provide the broad rules under
which the organization will operate. They are meant to be permanent
and not change over time.
Standard rules and guidelines are for day-to-day operational needs,
which often do change over time.
As a functional directive, instructions on how the logo may be linked
belong in the Guidelines, NOT the Bylaws.
Name snipped