OKtoastmasters.com – FAQ

We’re so excited to bring you the new District 16 web site. Here are several common questions we’ve received regarding this major update. Just for fun, we’ve divided them up into “Pathways levels” based on the complexity of each question. Please return to this section often; we plan on keeping it updated.

Fundamental Questions – Level 1 on this Path

Why did we leave Freetoasthost.com?

There’s a long answer and a short answer. To be brief, the previous site had an incredible amount of outdated content. To “clean up” the old site would have been an extraordinary task without a major result. Moving to a new domain allowed us to start over anew, and also granted us incredible flexibility, new opportunities and the ability to work in the web platform of our own choosing. We thank the D16 leadership for their support in making this important decision.

Why not oktoastmasters.org?

It was already taken. We actually owned that domain for more than a decade, but apparently abandoned it for FTH in 2016 (Source: The Internet Way Back Machine). It has since been taken over by domain squatters and now links to a foreign engine parts supplier.

Basic Questions – Level 2 on this Path

Is this site ‘secure’?

This is a commonly misunderstood question. You’re viewing a secure web page right now. Does it matter? No. Web site security encrypts the data you enter, such as credit card information or a user name and password. Ultimately, when we offer District Conference registration, this will be an important feature. Right now, i’s importance is negligible. But, to answer the question; yes, we are secure. Here’s a report from SSL labs:
https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/analyze.html?d=www.oktoastmasters.com

What is the long-term development plan for this site?

This project includes:
■  Phase 1: Move relevant content from our old site, to this site.
■  Phase 2: Develop an interactive system for managing speakers bureau and district profile information.
■  Phase 3: Online registration for the annual district conference.

Intermediate Questions – Level 3 on this Path

Should our club create their own web site too?

That’s a club-based discussion you should have with your officers and membership. FreeToastHost (as it’s name implies) offers great features at no-cost, without having to do much work. Plus, if you find that your club does not have the volunteer effort to keep the site up-to-date, you If your club has specific ideas that FTH does not support, and has the volunteer team and funding to setup and maintain a web site long-term,  you should give it a shot!
PRO TIP: Use the development of a new web site for a Toastmaster’s Pathways Level 4 project. In addition, you can help other club members achieve their goals by assigning them to “write a compelling blog,” “create a podcast” and “build a social media page,” all of which can be used to bolster your web site, and are Pathways projects!

Advanced Questions – Level 4 on this Path

What web technologies are we using?

This website ultilizes a fast number of web technologies to pull off all of the Internet magic that it seamlessly preforms “behind the curtains.”

The basic tools employeed on our web site include:
■  WordPress Content Management System
■  Flickr PRO for non-profits for our photo stream
■ Survey Monkey for our email subscription system
■ Meetup Events Import to import our district’s Meetup meeting info

What are some best practices the team has learned in developing this site?

This website ultilizes a fast number of web technologies to pull off all of the Internet magic that it seamlessly preforms “behind the curtains.”

Some a few practices we established during site development include:
■  Try not to develop large sections of the web site without having a volunteer assigned to built, edit and maintain the content.
■  When adding new content, examine the information’s proper place in the site structure, the current “value” of the content as a piece of information on the site, and the “lifespan” of the content.
■ For the best possible SEO, long-term navigation/web link structures should be position-based, and not use any proper nouns. (e.g. https://www.oktoastmasters.com/speaker/district-director/ rather than https://www.oktoastmasters.com/speaker/john_smith/) Individual district profiles, unrelated to a rotating position, may use proper nouns in the link structure, if absolutely necessary.

Expert Questions – Level 5 on this Path

How do I recommend a new feature?

We love to hear what new features or functionality would be helpful to our Toastmasters. Please use the Contact Us form (please chose the option to send a message to “Webmaster”) to provide us with your valuable input.

I would like to volunteer to help.

You just became our new favorite person! Please use the Contact Us form (please chose the option to send a message to “Webmaster”) and let us know how you’d like to assist us.