[Ldsoss] Ward Website Email Broadcasting

[Shawn Willden]

On Friday 15 December 2006 06:24, Steven H. McCown wrote:
> Here are some alternative ideas:

I like your suggestions, and I'd like to highlight the observation that 
underlies all of them:  The existing system indirectly uses the clerk as the 
gatekeeper, so why not make the role explicit?

Let me add another to your list:

4) Could a member register via a normal e-mail verification process, but with 
a clerk approval required before the account is activated?  (The clerk would 
associate the account with a membership record in the process).

A better understanding of the risks being managed by this security process 
might open up some more options, too.

For example, if the only risk is access to the ward member addresses, phone 
numbers, etc., there could be a per-ward passcode that all of the members 
could use to get in to create their accounts.  This passcode could be 
distributed in many ways, perhaps even printed in the ward directory, since 
the directory contains all of the personal information that's on the web 
site.

Another idea might be to allow any ward member who has registered an account 
to send an invitation to another member (think gmail!).  Or perhaps it could 
be limited to members in leadership roles.

Hmm, the gmail thought leads to an off-the-wall idea -- instead of making it 
easier to register, what if we could provide additional motivation?  What if 
having a web site account gave you an e-mail account as well?   I think lots 
of members would be more motivated to get on the system if they could have an 
email address like, say, "swillden at latterdaysaint.org" (or something -- looks 
like that domain is squatted).  Nah... probably too expensive.  But it would 
be really cool :-)

> I applaud the intent of security with the current system 

I'm happy that the Church is taking precautions, but security systems can fail 
in two ways:  allowing the wrong people in or keeping the right people out.  
I think it's clear that the current system does the latter, unfortunately.

> (I am a security professional), however, it does seem like a deterrent for
> most [non-tech industry] users.

And tech industry users, too.  Particularly scatterbrained people like me who 
forget week after week after week to ask the clerk for my information.  It 
took me nearly six months to get my account set up :-)

	Shawn.