OBC Website Development Group Invitation Sept 2011

A big thanks to all who responded to the OBC website working group report sent out in July. Responses have been very favorable. Also, we would like to thank the working group for all they have done to get us to this point. Rev. Master Haryo has given his OK to begin work on the new site, with the understanding that he will be reviewing it along the way. So, we are now ready to move on to the second step of this process, which is to form a website development group that will oversee the creation of the updated OBC website.

Rev. Leon Kackman, a senior monk based at Columbia Zen Buddhist Priory in Columbia, South Carolina, USA has expressed willingness to step forward and serve as project manager, coordinating and overseeing the site development. We deeply appreciate his offer to take on this large project. There is a need for more people to be involved in this work. We are asking for three (lay trainees and monastics) to work closely with Rev. Leon, serving on the website development group to get the website up during the next 6-12 months. Additionally, it will be helpful to know who else might be available to be called upon for specific help with the site development along the way.

It would be good to have people

-with “designer” sensibilities;

-to act as editors to proof read text (one in North America and in one UK/Europe);

-with writing skills;

-web development skills (WordPress or Drupal platform is yet to be decided);

-and anyone else who thinks they might have skills, abilities, internet experience or just a willingness to work in some capacity on the site development and who could be called upon as needed.

It would be helpful if one or more monks would be available specifically to help with gathering materials from the various temples and priories, as needed.

The work plan for the OBC website development group includes (but is not limited to):

-soliciting bids based on the current proposal;

-presenting estimates and recommendations to the interim board and head of the Order;

-coordinating developer agreements and contracts with the Order;

-overseeing the site design and development;

-seeking and responding to feedback on the site design;

-running beta testing of the site with a cross section of the OBC sangha;

-and overseeing the final launching of the new site.

Please refer to the attached current proposal submitted by the website working group for more information and details.

If you are interested in putting your name forward for possible involvement with this project, please respond to websitefeedback at obcinterimboard.org (replace at with @) with your name and any particular skills, abilities, interests or experience you might bring to the work to be done. Please indicate whether you are available to serve on the core OBC website development group, or are offering to be available for help as needed along the way. We hope to have the website development group up and running by early November. We thank you all for your support and encouragement to get on with this project.

In gassho

The interim board