TOPIC:

One problem that we're seeing with new members is that they frequently select the projects under the CC manual section (e.g. "(1) Ice Breaker") even though they are working on Pathways. They are new to Toastmasters so they don't completely understand everything.

I suggest two things with this dropdown:
1) Instead of having all sections expanded by default, collapse them all by default (i.e. as if the user clicked "Collapse all" at the beginning). The list is very long now, so most people don't try to scroll down to find the Pathways projects. If you collapse them all by default, people will be forced to select the correct path/manual they are working on first. This will prevent new members from seeing "Ice Breaker" under CC first and just selecting it because they think that's what they're working on. This will also make scrolling more manageable.
2) Put Pathways paths first before the traditional manuals. New members start on Pathways and putting them first will make it easier for these new members to find what they need. No need to put the old manuals at the beginning.

You could also consider putting the last manual/path the user worked on at the top of the list. e.g. If the user worked on the CC manual last, that could be listed first; if the user worked on a Dynamic Leadership project last, Pathways paths should be listed first, with Dynamic Leadership on the top. This makes it more likely that the user will select the correct project.

We could certainly do the reorganize the manual/speech drop-down thing, but with Pathways having ten paths, each with their own Ice Breaker project, I doubt that we are going to find the "secret sauce" with that approach to lessen new member confusion (thank you WHQ ). I would assert that all clubs are just going to have take greater responsibility to help get their new members up to speed (as we all grit our teeth).

We will do what we can where it makes sense, but there is only so much that we can do to alleviate the need for members learning the system and paying attention to what they are doing.

Also, why aren't you just telling your members to use the filter in the drop-down instead of scrolling and hunting for the project?

When a new members joins, they already have a lot to learn, especially with Pathways and having to log in to the separate toastmasters.org and FreeToastHost systems. I think ideally the site would be intuitive enough so that we don't need additional training to instruct the user to use the filter.

Just a suggestion as I think this issue can be easily solved by not putting the old CC manual entries with "(1) Ice Breaker" as the first thing they see in the dropdown. I think with just a little reorganizing as I mentioned, users would be guided to selecting the correct entry without needing any additional training.

This was already put the Pathways projects 1st this week... you gotta keep up!

Sorry my fault