Communication Updates

Web Site Update

By Barbara K. Lewis, Newsletter & Web site Chair
A new Kimball/Resources Links page has been added to the site to help our viewers research their own Kimball families. Please add to this list by emailing us at kimball AT kimballfamilyassociation DOT com.

I've added a Facebook page, not because I'm such a huge fan of it, but because it has a lot of built in features that KFA can leverage quickly such as a way for anyone to post to a Discussion Forums, Photo Galleries, and add useful links. And it's free. Free is always good - especially for a non profit organization. The $10/year membership dues only stretch so far. Please take a look at it, make suggestions, and don't forget to join.

There is a new section for photos of unknown ancestors called "Who Do You Know" and a Photo Gallery page to show off this year's Reunion pictures. The store's eCommerce ability to connect to PayPal is currently broken. So in November, 2010, I created content for each item and moved it under the photograph to make it easier to know what you're buying.

New Site Design Goals:

The KFA Web site will get a whole new design - soon, I hope. The appearance and navigation of the current site is years out of date and information needs to be placed under logical categories. Goals for the new site are:

Highlight Kimball content:

The site is about the Kimballs so it is important to make content about the family more accessible. In March, 2011, a new section was added where members can post photos of unknown ancestors in hopes that other viewers might be able to identify them.

Make it easier to join KFA:

One goal is to increase membership. To do that, we need to communicate the benefits of being a member. A new page called "Why Join" is a beginning, but I would like to eventually include a self-service membership capability, a discussion forum, and a place where members can post pictures directly to the site rather than send them in by email.

Limit "DOC" and PDF downloads:

A lot of information is available only if the viewer downloads it to an application, like MS Word. That takes time and it may not even be the information one wanted. Most information should be Web pages and make appropriate content downloadable like application forms.

Newsletter Update

I gave our newsletters a makeover. The goal was to give them a professional appearance to reflect the quality of the membership; to keep articles on one page if possible; if they need to be split, then make it easier to follow articles; and to make producing it more efficient

You Can Help

Creating a great (not just good) Web site and newsletter requires input from the folks who use it. So I need your help. What do you think will improve the site? What do you like about the current site? What content should be added? I plan to put out a survey to all members soon, but random thoughts are good too. I can be reached at bklewis AT kimballfamilyassociation DOT com.