On the chat Wednesday night, several of us discussed whether or not a logo was required on our pages, and if so, what logo. If you check the page guidelines, you will see that it is discussed there (See number five.) http://www.rootsweb.com/~wigenweb/volunteer.html All us "old timers" remember it being discussed, but, while it was never formally voted on, we did a COW on the state one, and most of us put it up. Then we had a "contest" and voted it out and another one in. But, it was never mandatory to use. If you look at the USGenWEb site http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/statepage.html states, A state logo is optional. So this discussion sorta lead the way for another couple of issues... Should we have bylaws vice guidelines? Differences? Well, guidelines implies rules that are nice to comply with but not necessarily required. Bylaw is a more formal term, and most people would agree that bylaws have been voted on by the members, the majority has agreed to them, and compliance to the bylaws ARE required. For those of you who know me, I am not really into having a lot of rules and regulations, but I am for having guidelines or ByLaws that the CCs vote on and majority rules. Currently, we do have a set of guidelines that were published at the URL, and the majority probably agrees with and follows, but they were never voted on by the WI CCs. Second issue, if we have guidelines or bylaws and someone doesn't comply, how is it enforced? This really can't be addressed until we decide if we want bylaws or not. One type of enforcement could be suspending the pages until compliance. This is really very negative, as we deprive our researchers from the information just because some one can't follow the rules... Now, having said all of that, should we be required to have a state logo or not on our pages? I kinda look at it this way. I belong to the USMC, and have a logo, it is an eagle globe and anchor (EGA), all the other militaries in the world recognize it as the US MARINES ensignia, and don't question it's authority or it's legitamacy. It is a symbol of pride and respect for what I, as a voluntary member of that organization, stand for. Everything that represents the Marine Corps has the EGA so it is easily identified. So, you know where I am going with this (grin). In Wisconsin, and I have been to most sites, we have a half a dozen or so, WI Graphics. While some are nice and others are, well, not as nice (yes, I am bashing the cow butt again ha ha ha), for some reason we have allowed this highly eclectic look, mainly because the logo is NOT required, therefore, it leaves the CCs open to chose anything they want. I have had many compliments on my "new" look on my pages, as they all maintain the same color scheme and people feel "at home" and know where they are. Maybe we want to keep this ecletic look, but it should be brought to a vote once and for all, so that the CCs have a say and majority rules... Obviously, my preference would be ONE set of logos or banners with a professional look, with a differing set of colors, so if you have a PINK page or a GREEN page, or whatever color scheme, it matches... If people have ideas, they should submit them, the CCs look at it, discuss, and then PICK ONE or actually a "color" set of one. Personally, I happen to think having a banner across the top is awesome (I am not into cutesy logo type stuff - grin), as it can readily identify us as WIGenWeb... an example can be seen at this page: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wiwood/WLHN/WoodCoWI/ or this http://www.rootsweb.com/~wigenweb/images/wisc.gif The "authorized" graphics, sorta do that different color scheme thingee, so check out the graphics at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wigenweb/graphics.html This is what I recommend. Voting procedures should be set and added to the current guidelines. Procedures can be very simple, or complicated. For our purposes, we can keep it simple and friendly. -First step: A good discussion on the topic, like we do on chat or on the list, so everyone has a chance to present their opinions. -Second step: After discussion, a motion is made. -Third step: Motion is seconded. -Fourth step: The SC gives the motion a number (ie WI-00001), calls for a vote and states when our ballots must be in by (this should be a set timeframe and most other states agree 2-3 weeks is adequate.) Some states do an open vote, where we post our YEA, NEA, or abstain to the mailing list. Others send a "ballot" to the SC and ASC, or an appointed committee. -Fifth step: Once the votes are in and the deadline is up, they are tallied, and announced. Majority rules and the bylaws are modified accordingly. Whew! I didn't mean to be a windbag or bossy, but it seems like a bunch of us want this and no one wants to step into the street to get ran over. SO, Having said that: I make a motion that WIGenWeb ammends the current guidelines (By-Laws), to require a majority vote for modification, whether it be an addition or deletion. Futhermore, I make a motion that the WIGenWeb project designate a color series of logos or banners to identify the WIGenWeb Project, and such design will be mandatory on the MAIN page of each WI County belonging to WIGenWeb. R/S Marcia Ann Kuehl CC for Wood and Portage County __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com