Frequently Asked Questions on the First Parish Website
January 19, 2004

What is the goal for the First Parish website?

The church website is intended to accomplish two goals.  First, it should serve as a way to inform and attract interested people looking for a church home in the Westwood area.  Second, it should be used to help us communicate internally among the church leaders, the boards, and the broader congregation.  The web offers some new efficiencies for old tasks, and provides unique new possibilities to improve how we operate as a church.

Has this been approved by Staff and Parish Council?

For the last few years, a church website has been discussed as desired by the church leadership.  This site embodies work started early in the process but brought forward by an ad hoc group looking to advance this ministry.  Prototypes of the site were shared with various church members for their feedback before the site went live.  We have the blessing of the Pastor and the moderators, with funding included in the 2004 annual budget.  It is intended that the whole staff, and key boards, will be included in the process of identifying meaningful and appropriate content for the site, and in finding ways to integrate the project with existing efforts.

What are the plans?

Doug Hyde is the present Webmaster with support by Steve Haines and Donna McClellan. Doug is working closely with various church members to work out the specifics. A site with some basic content is now available for viewing and comment. It is early enough in the project that the plan is still evolving. We want to make sure that a process develops that encourages participation and creativity while moving us toward whatever specific goals the Church determines for the site.

Will this replace traditional communications?

No. It complements and supplements more traditional methods. It is neither more important, nor less important. The website should be seen as another appropriate means of communicating our message, and not just the side-line of a handful of the more technically oriented members. We should view it as legitimately as any of the more traditional communication methods we use currently. But it won't replace them.

Will I miss important information if I don't have Internet access?

No. In fact you won't miss out on any official information. Anything of general interest to the congregation will continue to be communicated by traditional means. Some things may also be made available electronically, but this will be for those who choose this means, and will not replace the communications methods people depend on.

What will it cost the Church?

Very little. The company we've chosen to host our website is esoSoft. Their monthly fees total $9. There is also a $20 annual fee for registering the firstparishwestwood.org domain name. This is being paid from allocated 2004 budget funds.

Website development has been done in-house.  We have been blessed with some very talented people, and have been able to do the work so far with member volunteers. We hope that this will always be true.

Who controls the website content? 

For the present, the “gatekeeper” of the web content is the Webmaster, today Doug Hyde.  All content will flow through him for the time being.  The intent is to not burden the Church staff with the new tasks of website administration.  In the future, the website could be partitioned so that some specific parts (e.g., the calendar) could be maintained directly by the Church Administrator or others, but recommendations on this won’t be made until we have greater experience with the use of the website. 

Will there be discussions with each board to discuss relevant content and keeping it up to date?

Various boards will be approached and asked to “adopt” certain areas of the website.  Their assignment in this regard will be to periodically review their content and insure it is accurate and current.  Changes can simply be sent to the Webmaster who will act as gatekeeper. 

Will any private information (e.g. the Directory) be made available on the web?

Today, the website has no restrictions and is accessible to anyone browsing the web and coming across the First Parish site.  Therefore, there will be no private or sensitive information posted to it.  In the future, we expect to have a “members only” area, protected by a log-in and password, at which point we can consider adding information such as an online directory just accessible to other members.  We will not make information public that could compromise the privacy of our members.

Is it safe to make such information available?

No sensitive information will be posted without the necessary safeguards being in place.  When it comes time to consider posting any such information, the safeguards will be fully described and any risks understood by the church leadership.  Parish Council approval will be requested before any such step is taken.

How can I participate?

Contact Doug Hyde.

Will the youth be welcome to participate in the project?

Yes, we welcome participation from one and all. If any of the youth are interested in helping, they can contact Doug Hyde, or through the church office. Young and old alike are welcome.