Author: Glenn Berry

The webmaster is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the website. This means the webmaster is responsible for the appearance, usefulness, performance, availability, and security of the website. The most time-consuming duties are clerical – managing the online events, announcements, and new reports.

Website activity reports show the overwhelming importance to members of online event information and online registrations. Hundreds of members access each issue of The Cardinal online. Each year, hundreds join or renew memberships online. The website also provides an online source of information about the club and its activities.

As the club expands and more functions are added, website usage increases about 10% annually.

Two online input forms were added using the same software as the membership form. First, the Chimney Swift Monitoring Program’s monitors started submitting their observations to the website using a more user-friendly input form. Second, the Christmas Bird Count participants started submitting their observations to the website. This reduced the workload substantially for Pete Read, the coordinator.

The website was upgraded with new commercial grade email-handling software. It improves the reliability of emails sent from the website and alerts the webmaster of any failed deliveries. Up to 1000 emails per month include notifications, confirmations, and reminders to website users for events and online submission forms.

Submitted by Glenn Berry, Webmaster

Email or paper form received by Gail.

If email, Gail prints it to have hard copy.

Gail types data on each form into Hugh’s Microsoft Access database.

Gail deposits cheques. Who prepares the monthly report for Lesley of how much money is for each category (membership, tickets, donation, NAG, …)?

Lesley goes online to view PayPal receipts. Only the payee’s names and totals are visible.

Glenn produces a PayPal report on the first and fifteenth of each month by payee and category.

Orders for tickets are managed by Gail.

Orders for NAGs are forwarded to ???

Donations are acknowledged with a letter and receipt by ???

Hugh tracks the active memberships regulary.

• Hugh prints mailing labels for The Cardinal. Hugh informs ??? how many issues are needed for paid subscribers. Additional courtesy copies of The Cardinal are printed.
• Hugh sends membership list updates to Ric for MailChimp.

Suggestions

Retain the paper form for now. Allow people to phone in their details.

Don’t replicate the paper form online. Split it into separate forms:

• Natural Areas Guide – purchasing information only
• Donations (already available) – electronic receipts
• Ticket sales for the Awards Banquet – digital tickets
• Memberships – digital membership cards
• Home delivery of The Cardinal

Challenge, how to we overcome the need for home address without storing email addresses on the website?

Are physical tickets needed at the Awards Banquet?

Are paper renew notices really needed?

Are physical membership cards really needed?

Proposal to monetize the website with a new class of online memberships

Software required will cost US$49 to US$149 annually depending on the final set of user requirements. We can trial the less expensive software for 7 days for free. Start with Restrict Content Pro.

Use mcilwraith.ca as the domain name

Brand as a Nature London website

Require $10 annual paid memberships with user IDs and passwords to access the website with the following popular online content

• recent issues of The Cardinal
• recent videos of presentations

No physical membership cards. Instead of the member password on the back of their cards, they login with their email address and chosen password. They will prove their membership by showing the digital receipt that they received in the confirmation email.

To view the online calendar and register for events, these members must visit naturelondon.com.

Allow these members to

• register for meetings and walks,
• vote at the AGM
• visit Cedarcroft when it is open
• self-subscribe to the E-Newsletter
• self-subscribe to Conservation Action Alerts

Do not include

• a physical membership card
• discount offers
• mailed copies of The Cardinal

Memberships last one year from the date of payment and can be renewed at any time.

These are the 2025 secured dates for the CGC based on requests. The changed /added dates have been entered into our bookings and confirmed by the Customer Service Department at City Hall.

From: donald taves <donald.taves@sympatico.ca>
Sent: Monday, December 11, 2023 10:31 AM
To: Farmer, Kelly <kfarmer@london.ca>
Cc: president@naturelondon.ca
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Nature London Requested Dates for the Civic Garden Complex – Revision

Hi Kelly,

Some requested changes and additions for Nature London 2025 bookings for the Civic Garden Complex

If the changes cannot be made, then we will continue with the original arrangements and add the November date.

January 10, 2025 – no change

February 14, 2025 – no change

February 21, 2025 – change to February 28, 2025

March 14, 2025 – no change

March 21, 2025 – change to March 28, 2025

April 11, 2025 – no change

September 12, 2025 – no change

October 10, 2025 – no change

October 17, 2025 – change to October 24, 2025

add November 28, 2025

Don Taves

President Nature London

For the remainder of 2024, we have:

September 6, 2024 (Friday) – Indoor Mtg

No Fridays available in October 2024

November 1, 2024 (Friday) – Indoor Mtg

November 22, 2024 (Friday) – Birding Wing

We have also booked two Thursdays in October 2024

Thursday October 10, 2024 – Indoor Mtg

Thursday October 17, 2024 – Birding Wing

We will revisit the November 2024 dates once we clarify the date for the 2024 NL Awards Banquet.