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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.1 Update to the Sr Ctr Webpage OF DUB 19, 822 AGENDA STATEMENT PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING DATE: March 16, 2009 SUBJECT: Update to the Senior Center Webpage Report by Paul McCreary, Assistant Director of Parks & Community Services ATTACHMENTS: None RECOMMENDATION: Receive report and provide input on the conceptual homepage layout and content FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None DESCRIPTION: The City Council has a high priority objective to expand use of the City website to promote Senior Center events, programs and services. Funds have been included in the Fiscal Year 2008-2009 budget to make initial modifications to the Senior Center webpage and then provide weekly updates of the content. Staff discussed the project with the Senior Center Advisory Committee in January. The Advisory Committee recommended selecting a simple domain name that is easy to remember and would make it easier to find the Senior Center webpage on the City's website. Staff has researched available names and recommends using www.dublinsenior.com (the domain name www.dublinseniorcenter.com is already in use). If someone typed www.dublinsenior.com into their Internet browser, they would be automatically directed to the Senior Center webpage on the City's website. The webpage would also be accessible from the homepage of the City's website at www.ci.dublin.ca.us. Staff solicited initial ideas from the Senior Center Advisory Committee about the preferred content for the Senior Center webpage. Following were the ideas suggested by the Committee Members: • Upcoming events and activities • Advisory Committee Meeting Dates and Agendas • Advisory Committee Member Names, Photos and Contact Information • Photos and eye catching links to connect to important and detailed information • Webpage should be clear and simple • Not flashing with too much detail so people don't get overwhelmed • Adding a positioning statement and using it consistently throughout • Add a map in the corner of the site of the Senior Center location COPIES TO: ITEM NO.: 8.1 GAPARKS COMMISSIOMAGNDSTMT�2009\3-16 Senior Center Webpage Item 8.I.doc In addition to obtaining input from the Senior Center Advisory Committee, Staff has done online research of other web pages for Senior Centers in California. Based on this research and the input from the Advisory Committee Staff developed the following conceptual layout for the Senior Center homepage. TABLE 1 —CONCEPTUAL SENIOR CENTER HOMEPAGE LAYOUT Dublin Senior Center INSERT "Creating rewarding friendships, unique experiences and a lifestyle of possibilities" SENIOR CENTER LOGO 556-4511 Mon-Fri,9 am to 4 pm 7600 Amador Valley Blvd (Click For Directions) INSERT WEEKLY FACT OR INSTANT SURVEY QUESTION: The Senior Center offers free QUICK LINKS coffee to patrons! Come by and have a cup on us. Upcoming Events PLAY! Sign-up for e-mail notification INSERT Games People Play Special Events of upcoming events and PHOTO OF Dance Programs Sports for Active Adults activities that interest YOU! PLAY Health&Wellness Volunteer Opportunities EXPLORE! Facility Rentals INSERT Enrichment&Personal Growth Classes PHOTO OF Trips, Tours&Getaways Donations EXPLORE Trail Trekkers& Path Wanderers Reading,Writing &Computing Press Releases Crossing Cultures Luncheons Contact the Staff INSERT CONNECT! Contact the Senior Center PHOTO OF Lunch Program Special Luncheons Advisory Committee CONNECT Dublin Doings Newsletter Senior Support Services Volunteer Opportunities Carpool &Transit Guides STANDARD CITY OF DUBLIN WEBPAGE FOOTER The homepage layout was designed to consolidate information and reduce the number of links so the entire homepage is viewable in the Internet explorer window. This makes it easier to see all of the options in one location without having to scroll down through lots of information to find what you are looking for. Each of the links would bring you to a webpage with more detailed information, or links to additional sub-pages if needed. The intent will be to make the information on each webpage as clear and concise as possible. WEBPAGE HEADER The actual webpage design will not have the lines shown on the table above, and will appear similar to other pages on the City's website. The top row is the webpage header with the facility name, address, phone and operating hours. This information will remain static (i.e. not be changed). There will be a link next to the address taking the viewer to Google Maps, which will provide a map of the area, and allow the viewer to obtain easily obtain directions from their address to the Senior Center. 2 of 3 The header will also include a fact or survey question that will be updated weekly to maintain interest in the webpage. The facts and survey questions could be program related, or fun in nature. If there is a survey question, after submitting an answer to the question, the viewer will automatically receive a summary of the results to date to see how their answer compares to others. QUICK LINKS The left column will feature quick links to important or popular webpage content. The upcoming events link will provide information about events and classes that are starting in the next two weeks to month. For those events and activities requiring pre-registration there will be a link to take the viewer directly to www.DublinRecGuide.com for online registration. For those wanting future notification about upcoming events and activities, there will be a quick link that will bring the viewer to an online form where they can provide an e-mail address and select the types of programs and activities they would like notification about (i.e. trips, events, cooking classes, etc.). Staff will use the information to maintain e-mail distribution lists for promotion. There will also be a link that will bring the viewer to an electronic form that will allow them to ask questions or make comments to Staff or the Advisory Committee. The form will ask for basic information to ensure there is the information needed to follow-up and respond. WEBPAGE BODY The bodies of the webpage will broken into the three categories of play, explore and connect. This utilizes the branding/positioning statement selected by the Advisory Committee of "Play, Explore, and Connect". The various Senior Center activities, events and classes will then be grouped under the relevant category. A photo will be used to depict each category. These photos will be changed regularly to maintain interest in the webpage. PROMOTIONS The Fiscal Year 2008-2009 budget includes funds to implement various promotional techniques to advertise and increase use of the webpage. Staff will work with the Advisory Committee and the Graphics Technician to design a logo for the webpage. The logo will be printed on a banner, postcards and other promotional materials that will be posted and distributed throughout the community. Staff will also send press releases to the local media and advertise in the Senior Center Newsletter and the Department's quarterly Activity Guide. The webpage domain name will also be printed on all receipts generated by the class registration system at the Senior Center. SUMMARY Staff will utilize the input received from the Parks and Community Services Commission and the Senior Center Advisory Committee to further refine the conceptual ideas and begin work on the development of the design and content. The draft design of the webpage will be presented to the City Council for final approval in May. Staff anticipates launching the new site in June. Weekly updates will occur to the webpage following the launch to ensure the site remains fresh and the information relevant. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Parks and Community Services Commission receive the report and provide input on the conceptual homepage layout and content. 3 of 3