The email...

Subject: RCHR: webmaster update
Date: Thu, 07 Jun 2012 20:48:20 -0700
From: Russell Holder
Reply-To: russellholder@earthlink.net
To: RCH_DIRECTOR
CC: RCHR_DISTRIBUTION_LIST

One of my goals in my 20 years of professional website design was to provide attention grabbing interesting websites. That goal was the same when I became webmaster for this group(?) about six years ago, and has continued to be the same, and to that end I made an effort to update the RCHR front page frequently with event pictures that entice site visitors, members or non-members, to visit additional pages on the site, and, have implemented new features and functions as requested. And, as a matter of fact, of the eleven websites that I have created and/or currently maintain, the RCHR website demands far more time than all the others combined, and, not to brag on my self, but, also, as a matter of fact, in all those twenty years of web work, I have not had any complaints, sniveling, whining, nit-picking, nasty pointed bullshit bullshit about my work... that is... until the last few months.

However, the message from the membership, conveyed to me by the RCHR Board of Directors, is that the website is totally unsatisfactory, so much so in fact, that the RCHR Board of Directors plans to hire a consultant to create a new website for RCHR, and, the membership has my apologies for this situation. There is a lot of content and functionality at rivercityharleyriders.com, and to convert all that content with functionality modifications is going to be a challenge (there is not enough money to entice me to accept that challenge), and I would suspect that content and functionality will have to be slimmed down in order to create a new website for around a thousand dollars ($850 with $0 monthly maintenance fee plus $40/hour as needed for website re-configuration, updating functions to database, log-in, ability to upload photos, etc.) , an amount I would have thought to be sufficient enough to warrant consulting the general membership, but, apparently not.

Furthermore, the redefinition of the "webmaster" function being considered by the RCHR Board of Directors is not a "webmaster" function, rather, it is a public relations liaison position, a position that does not require any "webmaster" experience and therefore a position that does not need my knowledge or input, and, IMHO should become, if it is to be any position at all, an elected position vs. an appointed position.

Therefore, in as much as the club is well established, and, the website is capable of continuing to provide current and future ride information without my support, and, the club is planning a new website, I view my primary function of providing a way for those friends in the "disbanded group" to continue to stay in touch and ride with each other to be complete.

In the meantime, any website related topics that arise... put them on a list to be given to the consultant... perhaps...

Now, some of you already know about my personal website and already have a login; if you haven't already visited and want to then email or google me to get a link and/or request a username/password.

NOTE: I will of course continue, as in the past, to post photos for events (motorcycle or whatever) I attend on my website but doubt that I will provide pictures for the RCHR website - that is why the club has a photographer.

NOTE: I will continue, as in the past, to post for-sale/wanted/free items on my site and on the ECV1841.com site for anyone that sends me such a request (just not also on the RCHR site).

WARNING: my website is not strictly Harley stuff, and although you will find Harley stuff (primarily ride photos from 2005 and later (1963 - 2004 will be published separately... sooooooon)), you will also come across work history related pages, Clamper stuff, guns, hot rods, hunting, karate, and, even Scouting pages, click on what you want to click on... or not...

WARNING: my site contains advertising as recently re-defined by RCHR in as much as some pages contain links to a destination, an event, a group, etc.... click on them if you want... or not... (but you wont find a link there to my facebook page, myspace page or classmates page).

WARNING: my site is not "G" rated... no nudity (that I recall - not opposed to nudity, just don't recall having posted any... yet), but you will find strong language there.

That is all.

KF!

sorry to hear you will not be [our] 'official' site [webmaster] I thought you were doing .................... GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have always liked your webpages. I do not know who said otherwise. I think the board made a big mistake of moving forward with a consultant without bringing this matter before the entire membership. I know for myself I would have voted against hiring a consultant. Before the board moves forward on this, they should aire this out in the general meeting.

I agree with [name withheld]. I was not at the last board meeting so this is new info to me... I spent many years programming ... and know you cannot have two people working together on programs. This consultant addition idea sounds like someone who has never done programming and does not understand all the complexities involved. Either they do it all or you do it all. You cannot have both. I believe the general membership and myself are quite thankful and appreciative of your efforts.

I can name many times when [you were] told, not asked, to do things... [you have] always had the best interest of the group and the website to help encourage participation and to entice new membership. If Clamper events in the special events is not appropriate then why is a fishing trip to Alaska ok. We have 4 Clampers in our membership that ride. My personal opinion is that the special events show that we are a riding club with a wide range of interest and that we are not just "bikers". I believe that the few complainers should be stifled instead of being able to control what [you do] for the club. If there are any real complaints or questions of why [you do] things not once were they ever presented [to you] or discussed at a board meeting when [you were] present. It all seems to be done when [you are] not present. Are the complainers afraid [of you]? Or do they realize they are full of $h17. Maybe the board needs to take the complaints to the membership to find out what they really think of the website... [you have] always asked for suggestions or changes people want to see and when a feature was asked for [you] added it. I find it funny that all the hard work [you have] done for this club and the other club willingly has all of a sudden not being appropriate. Unfortunately what we have heard about what happened at the board meeting... is just another example of things being discussed about [you] without [you] there and the board is looking into paying someone a lot of money to reinvent the wheel that has been appreciated for 7 years. I hate to say this but [your] job of helping to build the club and provide important information to all the members is...