[Webmaster]

We're not getting new members joining into the Forum, and there are a lot of members who are signed up but never log in.

I know stamp collecting is a solitary pastime for many, but most collectors can benefit from a place where they can ask questions, get encouragement and share. That's this place.

At the very least, let's talk up the Forum at meetings and recruit!

If you have other ideas on creating engagement, share them here. But more importantly, you don't need formal approval. If you have an idea that will engage existing club members, just do it!

Roy

[Janet MacD]

Roy, Val was our guest speaker at Stamps and Their Stories this week. I told her about the wonderful post you did on the seahorses. She said whenever she has tried to access the forum she has had trouble and so she has given up. I have had many problems and still don’t feel comfortable, so I understand how she feels. And Barb, who is a regular poster, noted she was never sure of the correct way to reply. I told her I have been personally rebuked by the moderator for replying “the wrong way” …

I wonder if we could use the last 30 minutes of meetings to do hands on demos? Hugh and I don’t have a portable computer, but if someone brought a laptop, we could create a hotspot to access the internet. We might be able to do one-on-one demos for two or three people at each meeting, and then ask them to go home and immediately try to access the forum on their own. We could even bring the projector to show a demo to a small group.

And if anyone wants to access the forum using an iPad, Hugh and I are equipped for that.

I think the challenge might be that it looks too complicated. Once you know you can ignore 80% of the buttons, it is less frightening.

[Webmaster]

That's a great idea. I can provide the laptop. I think we should plan it for the first meeting back at the Seniors' Center in May and maybe have it set up every meeting, very informally.

And if anyone is trying but having trouble, please just ask at a meeting or send me an email. I'll happily provide answers and "how-to's".

Roy

[Carmen]

Those are great ideas, guys! You could also use that time for a short "hey look at what I found on the web that's stamp-related and useful to collectors!" and how to use that resource, and ask club members for their go-to web resources! It's the Information Age - might as well use it! It could be anything from a website, to a podcast to listen to... the sky's the limit! 

[Hugh]

Agreed ... Once we're back at the Seniors Association meeting room where there is a bit more room. We can also set up a table next to Don at every meeting and answer questions, do a demo or just show people how to navigate the forum. As Janet said, once they know it's a LOT less complex than it look that can help. 

We can also give them some ideas on what to post. That's sometimes an issue for some people too ... 'I don't know what to say"  I tell people to just jump in and keep it simple. Post a picture of your favourite stamp, or cover ... or tell a story about how you got started, or the best show you've attended ... something you'd show or tell somebody at a club meeting. 

Can we all try to find and bring in at least one new poster this month?

Cheers, Hugh