6.06.16 – (LAA/LUS) – A Message from Your APFA National Communications Chair

Monday, June 6, 2016

 
 

As the incoming Department Chairs are settling into our new positions, I would like to share a bit about the plans in store, specifically for the Communications Department. In order to achieve our primary goal of re-engaging and unifying the membership, we will be making some changes and improving on some things that are already working. Some of these changes will be happening soon and some will take longer to implement, but please be assured that the primary focus will be on ways to get you the resources you need to feel connected to those of us who are privileged to be in service to you.

Some of the projects we plan to tackle are making Board Meeting minutes more readily accessible to members, some much needed upgrades to the APFA website, and introducing an app friendly version of the site. Although the website has undergone many improvements over the past year, there is still work to be done in making it more interactive as well as easier to navigate and locate the information you need. We have identified ways to make the search feature more responsive and will be focusing on the consolidation and elimination of repetitive links for a more effortless user experience. 

Other more immediate plans include discontinuing the APFA Facebook Contract Q & A page effective June 30, 2016. Statistics revealed that the number of users does not justify the resources required to staff the page. Instead, we will be focusing on expanding our current resources by introducing more interactive tools to the website such as a Live Chat option to get your concerns addressed outside of normal business hours. We have been working closely with the Contract & Scheduling Departments to get more reps trained and in place to roll out this option. We are excited about the opportunities it presents to reach a broader section of our membership who prefer internet based interaction, but do not participate in social media. The Q & A page will remain available as a searchable archive, but will no longer be open to posts after June 30th. 

Although the ultimate goal is to make the website the one stop shopping place for membership needs, the regular APFA Face Book page will continue to be an additional resource to access hotlines as well as relevant updates, news, and information that affects the membership daily. Members can feel free to comment there on posts, but the comments will not be replied to by APFA reps. 

I am sure we will be hearing from many of you over the coming months, and we welcome your suggestions as to how we can make the Communications Department as responsive and efficient as possible. Please don’t hesitate to call or stop by if you ever find yourself in Euless.

In Unity,

Shane Staples
APFA National Communications Chair
[email protected]