Fairfax CASA Website Redesign Proposal Melanie Chen Srinivas Deshraju Jack O’Bannon Ketan Patil INFM 700 – Fall 2009 Project 2

Presentation Overview Client Objectives Review of Current Website User Study & Card Sort Comments by Current Users & Volunteers Interview Client Suggested Improvements Proposed Sitemap Wireframes Demo of Prototype Site Possible Technological Items for Project 3 Questions?

Fairfax CASA Objectives Educate the public on issues and activities relating to CASA Fairfax and Youth Advocacy Increase volunteerism; help recruit, screen and train potential volunteer advocates Increase contributions to CASA Fairfax and its partner organizations Keep people aware and involved in the CASA mission Maintain consistency and synergy with the national CASA program

Current Fairfax CASA Website

User Study & Card Sort We conducted a User Study where each member of our group was asked questions or given tasks to conduct on the current website Tasks were assigned based on different User types: –New user with no knowledge of the program –User with knowledge of the program –User intending to become a volunteer –Current Volunteer visiting the website for information We conducted a Card Sort to investigate the menu category groupings

Comments from User Study These are comments we received during the User Study Process: –“I found the current website plain and difficult to navigate with too many menu choices.” –“It’s difficult to find current news stories on the website. What is happening right now?” –“What are In-kind donations?” –“As a new volunteer, I wasn’t sure whether to go to the ‘Current Volunteer’ or ‘Intranet’ link.” –“If I spoke Spanish, then there is very little information here for me.”

Interview Client We each took the role of the Client, the management of Fairfax CASA. The Client was aware of the limitations of the current website. The Client would like a more dynamic and engaging website. Some Client comments: –“The website could show ways other than monetary donations by which individuals can support us.” –“The website could do a better job of supporting current volunteers.”

Suggested Improvements The top objectives, increasing donations and volunteering, should be more prominent on every page. The website should be made more dynamic. This includes: –Rotating and alternating News stories –Multimedia stories –Social Media interactivity –Interactive Calendar on the main page There are too many categories at the top-level and they should be consolidated to alleviate information overload. Individual volunteers and donors should be profiled more visibly on the website. The entire website should be available in Spanish and other languages commonly spoken in the Fairfax area (Chinese, Korean, etc.)

Proposed Sitemap Home About Us -Contact Us -Mission Statement -FAQs -Staff Directory -Board of Directors -Employment Opportunities Donate -Overview -Ways to Donate -Become a Member -Contributors Volunteer -Requirements to Volunteer -Steps to Volunteer -Volunteer Forums -Volunteer Profiles -Current Volunteers News & Events Children’s Galleries Intranet

Wireframe – Main Page

Wireframe – Volunteer Page

Demo of Proposed Website

Possible Items for Project 3 Implement Current Volunteer Forums. Implement the floating “Donate” box. Implement the “Bing” or “Slashdot” page extension on the Volunteer page. Implement full website search functionality. Create sample dynamic, interactive stories for the main page.

Questions?