www.cwu.org

[TrueBlueTerrier]

No. 936/08

Date: 1 December 2008


TO ALL BRANCHES

Dear Colleagues


WWW.CWU.ORG

The Unions newly designed website will go live this week. This is not the launch of a new website but simply a fresh, more professional design of the existing website.

The site has been professionally designed by an award winning web company, “Ripple effect”, in conjunction with CWU Communications. It is designed to appeal to a wider number of our members, being more user friendly, more attractive, have easier navigation and less cluttered. It is important to remember the website is a member communication tool.

Obviously, websites by definition are always “work in progress” and thus can never be considered the finished article. It is our intention to keep the website from being overcrowded by “pruning” information as it becomes outdated and manage the site as an immediate news channel. Obviously, the value of the news media of the site is determined by the input of all officers, HQ departments, regions and Branches to make news available and supply updated information.

The site is business based and therefore designed to allow any member the opportunity to find the business section relevant to them with two clicks of the mouse.

There will undoubtedly be glitches with the new site and some items will need to be added or subtracted as we go live and constantly review the site’s effectiveness and measure the popularity.

It is intended that the site will become very much more multi-media, particularly through the use of video communications.

The website should be seen by all activists as a key communication tool. We have a responsibility to acknowledge the growth of internet based communications and we see the site as a key strand of our multi strand communications strategy. It is intended therefore that the site will be constantly reviewed and updated and maintain an immediacy of information. Abigail Lawrence-Jones in my department is the key contact for internet queries or to supply information. She can be contacted direct on 0208 971 7442 or at alawrencejones@cwu.org and any information, news or events you have should be submitted direct to her. Obviously, in line with keeping the site clean and less cluttered, there will be a judgement on news value of any submissions.

Going live with the new site will be the Unions image library. As advertised previously, this is a library of all the Unions photos and images. Due to photographers licensing and contractual issues, some images are in a private area, only usable by the communications dept for national publications. However, we will be loading an increasing number of images to the public area over the next few weeks and you will find photos from Annual Conference 08 on the site now. All photos that are uploaded to the public area of the site are available for private use and Branch communications. Each image has a nominal fee attached to cover administration costs.

Also due to go live shortly from the site is the new online print ordering system. This will allow Branches to order print requirements direct.

We are reliant on some external IT support for all to go well and are reliant on a large number of people for accuracy of information. As a result, there is always a possibility of some initial glitches with the re-design but the site will be an improvement on the current. All Branches and activists have been consulted for their views and almost all responses were effectively positive. ON that basis, I am sure we all welcome an improved site.

Any queries regarding this LTB should be addressed to kslocombe@cwu.org



Yours sincerely









Kevin Slocombe

Head of Communications

[MEL]

nic e 2 c our dues being spent on something worthwhile

[brothermagrew]

nic e 2 c our dues being spent on something worthwhile

Only a pity the LTB's aren't in numerical order but suppose all will come right someday.

[not me]

maybe this one will actually let me log in as a member

[brothermagrew]

maybe this one will actually let me log in as a member

Remember to put 00 before your union membership number when logging in.