Stories/blog comments

I am having the same issue. We want to use the story feature to engage the public. I don't mind if they would have to register (like an event attendee), but when I did a test, it appears as though only someone with a CR account is allowed to make a comment. Hoping this is not so. Will need to give CR a call tomorrow morning, I hope I am just missing something.

 

Hello Karyn (and John),

When implementing our 'comments' feature in stories we had to decide whether to allow anyone to comment, or Club/District members only. We chose the latter - club members only (or any District member on the District website).

This is because general 'public' comments would require a moderation/approval process, could potentially lead to inappropriate comments, etc.

This also assists clubs who would like to start a public dialog, for example a message thread about an event, upcoming large task, etc. We felt Rotarians would feel more comfortable speaking to one another knowing that comments would be closed to the general public.

If you would like comments to be 'public' please respond back, I'd be happy to pass along the feedback to see if we could devise a proper mechanism for this.

 

Karyn, I tried setting up a "Follow Us" widget (basically a Contact under another name) and then I was going to put them under a "friend" category to see if that would permit them to post and also send them my weeking newsletter with new posts. But no one used it and then it got all messed up so I removed it and now I can't find it. I do not think the issue is very high up on ClubRunner's radar.

Mickey:

I would very much like it if the comments could be opened to the public. I am of two minds. I have traditionally done a blog on topics Rotary. It is on the bottom of the Dryden website using the "news" widget. It is called Wethe4 blog. My preference would be that it be open to all Rotarians and Rotaractors but I would prefer they have to register to make comments. This is what you have to do at most major newspapers.

However, as I conceptualize a Club website the main audience for the site is the public and we can put blog comments those stories too. I use the Stories widget for this section of the Home Page. Ideally, they should be open to everyone. Again the public should have to register for them too if they want to comment. I am now in the progress of making this a community news portal. To date I have been posting a story on the weekly speaker which is community news. This past month I have posted two stories about community events.

Karyn, I would really be interested in your take on this issue. You are the first person to respond.

 

Hello John and Karyn,

The request to make story comments 'public' has been sent to our team. I think (and hope) that as long as admins/moderators can delete inappropriate comments it should work fine.

Please note--I cannot guarantee any implementation of this suggestion, however, our team carefully considers all user feedback. If you have more questions just respond in this thread.

 

Mickey, one further comment. I have been using the comment feature since you offered it on the site and have never had a comment from a club member. I not sure they visit it very often.

I only began the Wethe4 blog posts on Feb. 1st of this year. I post a link to them at RI LinkedIn and to about 10 Rotary FaceBook pages. I have had a number of Rotarians comment that they are upset because they can't respond on the Club website rather than the Facebook or LinkedIn page.

For those who are interested adding the blog and posting frequently has dramatically increased the traffic to the Club website. The best we had done is terms of pageviews is about 8,500/year (Statcounter) To date for 2019, we are at 18,275 pageviews.