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It looks like there is some motion to move our activities to Facebook rather than desoto.org. I am in Facebook but do not screw around with it. I like the desoto website. What is the benefit to putting it on Facebook? This seems to be something to do with Rick dropping out as webmaster. Whoever knows should let everyone else know. Thank you.
Paul,
The Facebook initiative is an attempt to reach out to younger members and potential members. If you have attended a recent NDC convention - or any old car meet for that matter - you understand the need to reach out to younger members. Tim Bowers championed this cause and he explained to the Board that there are several DeSoto pages on Facebook but nothing sponsored by the NDC. The Board agreed with Tim's suggestion and when he stepped forward to set up and monitor the page it was a done deal.
The Facebook page will not immediately supplant the website and message board but will add to it. Many will still visit here but hopefully many others - some potential new members - will visit the Facebook site. There will be links on the Facebook site to this website so those who desire can sign up for membership in NDC.
Mark
There's no conspiracy here, Paul.
There's a significant population of people that participate on a social level around DeSotos on Facebook that aren't members of the NDC or participate here on the club's forum as non-members.
With a diminishing club membership, my goal is to take a portion of the NDC's culture to Facebook, where there is also enthusiastic activity taking place, and let more people know what is going on with the club, hopefully acting in some kind of an ambassadorial role to get people involved in the club.
In a very brief discussion regarding the NDC amongst Facebook users, I found quite a bit of latent frustration related to club events that occurred nearly 10 years ago, and also people under a weird misunderstanding about the club and its governance. If people are staying away from the NDC's website out of hurt feelings, perhaps that can be rectified.
Hopefully more NDC participation with enthusiasts, even on another website, can result in benefits for the club.
The NDC website and forums continue to be a vital part of online interaction with the NDC and its community of enthusiasts that shouldn't be discounted, and Rick continues to do a great job of webmaster.
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
Both the facebook group and the NDC website should co-exist as each has its strengths and weaknesses. For example, it's much easier to find a conversation about a given topic on the NDC Message Board than it is on facebook, where all posts run together in an unorganized manner. That said, if the website is going to succeed, it must be kept up to date. Some of the glaring problems include no information about upcoming conventions on the Convention link, Classified ads that are months old, links that lead to blank pages. Is it really that difficult to make this happen ?
Ron
on the plus side, I know how to post a picture on facebook. I am unable to do so here
I am totally receptive to this and have been on Facebook for many years - but not real active. I will check this out.
