Where To Start?

One of the features we want for our new website is a constantly refreshed, up-to-the-minute information system for our members and community. Super easy to do in this format. The problem comes right now in that there is a mound of information backed up and waiting to hit the web!

So where do we start?

Two options.

One – just put everything out there. Categorize it. Tag it. Sort it. And then visitors can muddle through it all and find what they need – fairly easily, mind you. But put it all up there at once.

Or two – start putting one item out there almost everyday. Dribble it all out there slowly so that regular visitors can catch it all as it goes by.

After much deliberation and consideration, we’re going with the first choice – for a few reasons:

1. It’s easier. The webmaster right now consists of one parent volunteer. To sit at the computer and load all of the relevant information onto the site in one or two days is preferable to having to sift through it all daily for what will likely amount to more than a couple hours a day for more than a month. With regular updates after that.
2. It’s more convenient to our visitors. There are visitors out there who need relevant information now. Not when a particular topic’s number comes up. Let’s get it all out there as fast as we can.
3. The new format really does have a great filing system. You can find what you need by several different search criteria: recent posts, archived posts, categories, topics (tags), or choose your own search. Use the search options to the right, a little ways down, to find the information you need. And of course, if you need any help at all, just drop us a line.
4. And the absolute best way to keep up with everything DSAH and Down syndrome, is to subscribe to our updates by email. Just click on the ‘sign me up button’ to the right and you will receive all of our updates by email. You will have the option of choosing how often you receive your updates – immediately, daily, weekly, etc. And you can unsubscribe any time you wish. It’s an automatic thing. We won’t be spamming you.

And so, without further ado, we will be loading up the website with everything we’ve got to date. Please drop us a note if we’ve missed something. It’s all being added in no particular order of importance, relevance, or preference.

Thanks for your patience as we grow a little bigger and better.

Watch Your Mailboxes

Our Spring mailing is going to the post office on Wednesday, March 30th.

As with all of our Spring mailings, each package is chock full of important information for all of our members. Look for:

• your spring newsletter – please read it carefully – there’s lots of info there;
• your 2011-2012 Membership Renewal Form. Please complete it in full so that we can update and correct our records. Mail it back to us in the enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope as soon as possible with your fee. The membership renewal deadline has been extended to May 1st.
• your Spring Social invitation – be sure to RSVP as soon as possible so we can confirm numbers;
• an information notice for our pilot speech pathology program for DSAH members aged 3-9. Registration for the 12 spots is first come first served. Check your mailing for details;
• two brochures for our upcoming Golf Tournament – please give them to someone!

We are also asking members to include a gift card in support of our Golf Tournament with your membership renewals.

The Newsletter will be available online April 1st.

Our New Look

The Down Syndrome Association of Hamilton is pleased to present our new online look. More efficient, streamlined, and updated, our online presence now has a few more goodies.

Visitors to our newly interactive website can now

• enjoy regular updates and notices here on our homepage – front and center; all updates will be consistently showcased and easy to find,
• have easy access to past articles – they will be available, categorized, and easy to find by following the links to the right,
• conveniently subscribe to have updates e-mailed directly into their mailboxes, without having to go online,
• find current information about the upcoming events,
• contact us directly from the website without having to use their email – perfect for when they’re not on their home computer,
• submit photos, announcements, comments, links, etc. directly to us via our Contact Us form,
• interact with other members and visitors by leaving comments, ratings, and replies right here on our website,
• share an informative article with family members, teachers, health care professionals, by email, printing a hardcopy,Twitter, or Facebook, directly from the links located right under each posting,
• make a donation using a credit card through CanadaHelps.org

The following upgrades over the next few weeks will allow visitors to

• download and print membership forms so they can be filled in and mailed to us with a cheque,
• submit forms and payment for both new and returning memberships right here online, securely, using your credit card via PayPal,
• submit golfer registration forms, support commitments, and payment directly from the website, using a credit card via PayPal,
• download Golf Tournament forms to print, fill out, and mail in with a cheque,
• subscribe to our quarterly e-newsletter, having it delivered directly to their inboxes.

All of these exciting changes make for a more user friendly, forward thinking, online experience for our visitors. We welcome all comments and suggestions while we tweek the details. Let us know if we’ve missed something, messed something, or aced something.