TOPIC:

I have been starting some discussions about possibly starting a new support mechanism for FreeToastHost. Specifically, I am interested in piloting a possible once a month web conference (e.g. Zoom) call for FreeToastHost that would be led/moderated by experienced FTH users (crowd-sourced) and would be open to any users of the system (first come, first serve up to 100 person limit allowed by Zoom). I have created this forum thread to allow for some feedback and discussion on this.

At this point, this is just an idea... nothing is committed. My thinking is that myself and 1 or 2 other people I know would lead the first 1 or 2 web confs as a sort of "pilot" to set the "tone", see how well this would work, determine level of participation by users, and work out any kind of "kinks". If we decided that we should move forward with a full roll-out, then ideally, we would come up with a few "cheat sheets", canned PowerPoints, evaluation mechanism, and "best practices" to ensure that the later web conferences are of good quality.

If we decided to move forward, we would want to solicit experienced FTH users to lead/moderate successive calls. Keep in mind that the idea is that these would be *crowd-sourced* from our huge user base with some oversight provided by us--that is a key consideration of this. The experienced users leading the web conferences could likely get TM project credit (assuming they get evaluated) and we would want to make sure that anyone leading the web conferences do a good job for participants and are technically accurate. Unfortunately, in the past I have seen some people spreading misinformation and inaccuracies about FTH outside of these forums in social media--I do not want to perpetuate that.

If you are reading this, you should not assume that this is a "done deal". Level of participation would be a key consideration for continuing to provide these web conferences, and one of the reasons I would want to make sure that whoever leads/moderates them does a good job.

Additionally, Zoom costs money for the version that I would want us to use (for longer than 40 minute calls). Somehow that cost (~$150/yr) would need to get handled. I have been thinking that perhaps I could set up a Patreon account to allow people to optionally pitch in a few dollars towards that. I do not think this is unreasonable even though we are *Free*ToastHost--many software companies charge extra for more "premium" support mechanisms.

Another consideration is the variety of timezones and possible language differences. That would also have to be sorted out...

Steve,

I think the monthly or quarterly FTH webinars would be a valuable addition to the already amazing support that the team provides to club website administrators. I would recommend that you consider a FTH 101 session and another session on latest updates/changes to help everyone keep up with all of the great work that the FTH team is doing to keep our club websites functioning behind the scenes. And, as you indicated, you could poll the website administrators to see what other topics or "how-tos" they may need as topics for additional regular webinars. Finally, if you record them, people could watch them later if they could not participate in the original event. This may help with the challenge of different time zones. You might also recruit other native language speakers to replicate the webinars in their language or region.

Thanks again for all that you and the FTH team do!

Happy Holidays!

Tonia Norman
Club 9325-55
txdot.toastmastersclubs.org

Tonia,

Thanks for the input.

Keep in mind that as I mentioned above, the goal would be to have these "crowd-sourced" by experienced users, so that we (the current FTH ambassadors) can continue to focus mostly on handling forum inquiries (which are free). The way I envision this working out:

1. Providing Zoom Account Access - me, but I will want some sort of contribution to the yearly cost somehow.
2. Scheduling / Sending out notifications of upcoming web confs - Me or any FTH Ambassador. Could add someone new to handle this.
3. Oversight of "newbie" moderators - Me or any FTH Ambassador. Could add someone new to handle this.
4. Content Development and Moderation of Web Confs - Crowd-sourced. Experienced FTH users. Could get TM credit.

As for content, I am thinking maybe half prepared content and half Q&A from the participants... could include ad-hoc demos, or handling some support requests.

Also, if any of you would like to be part of the initial team to do the "pilot" let me know. I would expect you to be very savvy with FTH and also very savvy w/ Zoom web conferencing. (Bonus if you have led web conferences via Zoom before. )

Awesome concept. Count me in. Donate...yes. As contributor ... yes.

FYI: I am going to let this thread "run" for a bit to collect responses before I take any action...

Couple of thoughts.
1. I've led multiple Zoom sessions where even with ten people the content can't cover what everyone wants to know. I like the idea of an FTH 101 for newbie admins and officers that would simply be a broad overview of the system. After that, I envision specialty sessions going over individual modules such as agenda, dues, admin settings, etc. If 100 people connected and there was a Q&A via the chat window, two people would need to manage the broadcast. It would be like having an engineer at a radio station feeding the host calls.
2. I would love to run one of these. I've developed a survey (Google form) that I send to officers before I run a session to gauge their interest in specific modules/features of the system so I can tailor the call to the group. This could be made available to anyone interested in participating.

marc33: As we are already acquainted and I am familiar with all the great stuff you have done in this vein, I was hoping that you would be one of the people would would plan/collaborate w/ me to do the initial "pilot" and then plan/guide the full roll-out if the pilot is successful. I think we could probably make good use of some of the Google forms you have created (I like them).

Anyone else that would like to be part of the initial planning and "pilot", let me know. You need to have some savvy w/ FTH, Zoom (or similar), and general computer technology. I will want to have a phone conversation w/ you to verify that you have some savvy. I am only looking for maybe 2 or 3 people max in the beginning to help roll this out, in case the "pilot" does not have the interest. I will have a few Zoom calls w/ this initial team. If we do a full roll-out, then maybe this team morphs into a "guidance" team, but I have not really thought that far ahead yet.

Also, at some point I will create a dummy FTH website to support this initiative. We could use the calendar on the website for indicating when the webinars are scheduled.

BTW, there are Zoom training videos and such available for those who may be more familiar with other web conferencing systems:

support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360029527911
support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/206618...Zoom-Video-Tutorials
zoom.us/livedemo

I adore this idea, Steve.

I don't want to overstate my expertise, so I'll just say that I do know my way around FTH. I've used it for 1.5 years as VPE then VPPR (FTH admin).

One of my clubs meets online via Zoom weekly. I post the club meeting recordings to YouTube (Unlisted). I'd be happy to provide this type of administrative support. I'm able to produce Powerpoint slides as needed. I could help feed questions to a moderator.

I'd contribute financially for one month of Zoom use.

If we get to the point where over 100 are joining, we can either pay Zoom another $5 monthly, or stream to Facebook Live.

I look forward to hearing that this will be rolled out fully.

I would be interested in leading if possible and I definitely know and love this site. I have trained others already on how to use functionality of FTH. GREAT IDEA

I must start out by saying I think all of the FTH volunteers do an excellent job of answering questions and getting issues resolved in a very timely manner. Kudos to all of you for that!

In regards to a new support mechanism, I am curious what prompted you to the suggestion. I have been aware of and using this website reference for at least 6 or 7 years. While I admire you giving even more of your time, I personally have never felt a void for a need that wasn't being met in the current format (mainly because of how responsive the solutions are). If you are saying this would be more of a test group for rolling out new features or suggesting new features, I can see that being helpful, but I also think this format with a link to a demo video or something else would suffice just as much if people are asked to review and provide feedback.

I make these comments not because of it being a bad idea. I just think meeting the language and time needs of so many users could become overwhelming and hard to keep up. It's one of those Catch 22's where you want it to grow large and be influential, but then that becomes a challenge to make the online meetings productive and orderly. In regards to donations, I know people have already stepped up, but what happens if the role in their club changes or even their membership in Toastmasters. Ensuring you have donors would then become an extra task for you.

To reiterate, LOVE this site! LOVE that you are willing to give even more of your time! Just making sure this additional suggestion isn't something that becomes overwhelming later.

I agree with Carolyn. Knowing how much goes into preparing webinars and hosted chats, this sounds like a lot more work for you to heap onto your plate. Although you're asking for volunteer moderators and leaders, in my experience it usually falls to the originator of the idea to keep it alive. I've found every answer I've looked for in the FTH forum or by exploring the Admin Console on my own. You all do a great job of providing this resource for us to use, and I really don't see the need for an online meeting on top of that.

Steve,
I am definitely in favor of your monthly Zoom meeting idea. My experience with using the FTH platform has been that it is an entity that is constantly growing and improving. With that, the (experienced) users have a lot of institutional knowledge that is valuable and should be passed on to the membership. BKM's are part of the core that keeps FTH alive and thriving. I have used FTH for the better part of that past 8 years as our club's website administrator, and have used Zoom (pro version at work) and the "home" version as well. Perhaps I could help as one of your planners/collaborators? Thanks.

All kinds of wonderful ideas.. I'm in but not necessarily to be a main presenter.. I know my way around FTH and am even though I am no longer one of the ambassadors (due to just not being quick enough on the draw to answer questions before others get there), my district often calls on me to troubleshoot and help with FTH problems.

My input is that a open broadcasting system (obs) could be used in conjunction with youtube and zoom simultaneously, to facilitate both chat and screen sharing.. Two facilitators could be contributing visually at the same time and more in-depth examples could help attendees out with answering real-time questions and youtube allows a "re-play" so that those who couldn't attend in real-time could watch after the fact and still see the chat and the presenters.

Darlene M
Club 154 and District 9 FTH website admin
I also am a youtube creator.

Sound like a GREAT IDEA, especially for newer FTH Admins and VPEs.

I was part of another training program series last year regarding using Social Media to publicize clubs; it was led by a lady who "lectured" then opened for questions; her sessions lasted about 30-60 minutes and were then saved on a website which I never reviewed. (I don't recall which system she used - I don't think it was Zoom - and I believe it was FREE to use. It allowed me to watch her movement and screen images on my PC screen while I listened on my telephone through an toll-free number.)

The main point I want to make was: I don't recall Steve mentioning if each Zoom session can be catalogued into a library for later access by others such as future Admins or VPEs or anyone who missed the session . (Being able to catalog sessions would negate the need to repeat the same sessions annually (unless changed) - unless as a refresher. All attendees could have a chance to review the catalogued sessions, taken notes and come up with questions, before joining a new session.)

I am reading these... just letting the thread run a bit.

Keep in mind that the goal would be to have the vast majority of webinar content and webinars led by experienced users that have been vetted somehow with the intention of them getting TM project credit. Thus, it would be a "crowd-sourced" approach sanctioned by us (FTH Admins) with some sort of "quality control" and "technical accuracy" strategy baked in. Other than that, I think we would want to keep it simple. Beyond the initial setup, I think my role would be more in the background providing some technical guidance and maybe occasionally leading a session if my time permits.

I think it's great that you want to offer this, but I agree with those that think this may not meet the goal. A Zoom conference can become maddening when attended by users with varied levels of knowledge. I prefer watching Youtube videos to learn things. I taught myself how to drive a 32' RV by using Youtube! What I like about that format is that I can speed up or slow down the speed (2x to .25), or stop, go back and watch it again without "slowing down the class."

I propose that a better use of your expertise and time might be to review the 20+ FTH videos already on YouTube OR simple establish an OFFICIAL FTH YouTube channel, which is free and it you get enough followers, could even be monetized. I just took a peek at the FTH YT vids currently out there and some are from 2012! There are some great topics out there, but I'm not certain how current or accurate they are.

I'm pretty good with creating new agendas and creating templates for contests, holiday parties, and open houses to be reused the next year.

We could use the Zoom platform to use the screen-sharing/recording aspect to record sessions on specific topics. Perhaps use SurveyMonkey to determine the most needed topics and then upload to YouTube. Here's how:https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/202291078-Sharing-a-Local-Recording
It's important to make a local recording.

Perhaps various FTH experts could record tutorials using your Dummy FTH site and you could review for accuracy before it's posted to YT.

Just tossing these Ideas out for consideration

Nice idea, but I am skeptical that enough members will participate and be satisfied with the results to justify the effort. I prefer the idea, echoed by others, of updated YouTube video instructions.

If goal of the regular webinars is to take a normal user, and teach them to admin 101, then our club would send all of the officers, probably over the course of the first few months of each term.

Yes! Having an interactive and opportunity to receive live education on FTH would be awesome. Having very little experience with websites it took me quite a while to understand the basics. Learning is ongoing.

Florence
Chesapeake Toastmasters, 6303

Depending on the Time and Day of the month I can offer a Zoom Pro Account for the Monthly meetings. On the other hand, you just need to take a short break at the 40-minute mark then restart the meeting a few minutes later.

This will be a great way to help your users. I am sure that different clubs (eg Global Trainers Online) are willing to develop training sessions for 'Rookies' and difference parts of FTH like the Treasurer functions and embedding PayPal to collect dues.

This is an opportunity for the feedback process to be spread to the club, area, division and district organizations as well. I could readily envision using this as a mechanism for an HPL project whether within the Traditional manual-based education system (manuals) or the Pathways Education Program.

I would like to have an initial organizing Zoom session on the weekend of January 11th. This would be to strictly discuss some of the logistics of doing something like this and to also organize a couple of FTH "pilot" (test) webinar sessions. The purpose of the pilot sessions would be to see what works and determine the level of participation that we get. If the pilot sessions go well and we receive good evaluations from the participants, then we would proceed to organizing a full roll-out.

If you are someone who sees the potential of this crowd-sourced webinar approach, and if you are someone that is both FTH and webinar savvy, then feel free to participate in this session. You are not committing to anything other than offering your thoughts and ideas during the session. I will moderate it and prepare some basic talking points to get the conversation started, but the agenda will not be set in stone.

I have set up a scheduling poll using the online Doodle website to work out the best time. If you plan to attend the initial organizing session, just vote for your preferred time by clicking the following link: doodle.com/poll/kn82rqw5xq5pb4fu

Note: I believe the Doodle website asks for your name... Only I can see your name, so please also include your club number to simplify me sending you a Zoom link to the meeting. (For example: Steve James; Club 1966)

I've read several of the forum posts in this thread. I think it's a great idea. However, I can't participate in the organizational Zoom meetings on Jan 11/12 listed in the Doodle poll due to district mid-year training (I'm in
Paris for the training on Fri-Sat as I type).
One overall comment for the instructional webinars would be to have a specific topic for that webinar of 10-15 min (or some time max of 15-20 min) and then open Q&A for ~30 min (or less depending on the ratio of prepared topic / open Q&A). Announce a schedule of 3-4 intro topics (or advanced topics) so people can see the topic that they need the most and schedule it on their calendar in advance. If they know that a particular topic is coming up in a few weeks, they might choose to attend that webinar instead of asking during an open Q&A on a different webinar topic that will be occurring earlier in the schedule.

I have limited time due to my CGD duties in District 36, however I am very interested in this idea going forward as I have been one to present at D36 TLIs sessions on FTH. I consider myself an experienced FTH user albeit not a superuser/expert (getting images to appear as I want is one of my expertise insufficiencies).

Also, I do webinars for my work, so I'm familiar with the logistics of how to do them and handle the chat/questions part of it. I'm familiar with gotowebinar / webex / now also zoom, and also freeconference.com. I don't know much about the logistics of #seats per platform however.

For my work, we routinely do the webinar, record it, and then put the recording on our YouTube channel. This is an excellent way of adjusting for time zone differences, letting someone playback and pause for understanding the unfamiliar concepts, etc.

Please keep me informed if possible. It's unlikely I'll be able to keep an eye on the forum discussion to any great extent on the next week or so.