by Bruce Thumann » Mon Dec 28, 2009 5:39 pm
Hi Richard:
I don't think putting a site together is the main issue. We certainly appreciate your offer as well as offers by others, most recently being Dale Vandever who actually set up a test site. I personaly believe the hold-up is being sure we have a plan in place to maintain the site over the long run.
We have been fortunate at ICS that first John Dunning (sorry if i have the last name wrong) then Bill Harris set up and ran the ICS site for several years, and did so very well considering the personal time involved. Following Bill's stepping down, now "ex" ICS President Dave Fitzgerald took on the challenge and devoted an extraordinary amount of his own time into making much needed changes along the lines of user friendliness and appearance, as well as adding new features. Most of that work was done whilst Dave was serving his two year term as ICS President, and that my friend is devotion. Dave to this day is still the Webmaster and I know for a fact that he devotes hours upon hours on a daily basis to maintain and enhance the ICS site.
Dave has stated to me on more than one occasioin that he will do anything within reason to enhance the CFF portion of the ICS site, but knowing how much time he already devotes to the ICS site and other ICS duties, I for one would not feel right dumping the CFF needs in his lap as well.
Again, these are only my thoughts, and the viability of a "REAL" CFF site is under minor consideration at this time by those above my pay grade. We certainly in my opinion need a stand alone site, but again that is only "my" opinion, possibly only because it is expected and or because any business enterprise worth its salt has a website these days. It would definitely help to put CFF on par with like organizations and get additional needed exposure. I want only to be sure that it is done right and that any plan is well thought out and designed for the long term.
In the mean time, CFF continues to do "OK" without a full blown site and there continues to be bright spots in the organization leading to better type support and a better organization. As conditions continue to improve, it is very possible that this will be a frontline issue.
Bruce