By Gigi Branch
We should be ready to launch the new website (www.nyctranslators.org) by the end of the month. As you can see, the online issue of the Gotham Translator (www.gothamtranslator.org) is now live. After more than a year of planning and developing these two sites, we extend our sincere thanks to all members for their patience throughout this lengthy process. The current Circle site, which is based on older technology, has been in desperate need of an upgrade, and for that reason, our primary goal with this undertaking was to resolve the existing technical issues that have plagued our members as well as the site’s administrators. We took the opportunity during this process to update the site in other ways.
Our New Websites
We sought to create a stronger visual brand to market our growing profession and our members’ language services and experience. Our intention with the new design of the two sites, our email template and social outlets is to present a more positive and professional image of the Circle and our members. Moreover, the fact that the responsive design can be accessed via desktop, laptop, tablet and smartphone devices makes it more serviceable to both members and language service buyers. We encourage you to frequent both sites, but we first would like to give you a quick preview of each one.
The new Circle site is designed for three different types of users: potential members, buyers of language services and most importantly, our members. As was the case with the old site, all visitors have access to general information about the Circle, the events calendar, direct access to The Gotham Translator, resources for language professionals, an online directory of our members and their language services and easy contact to the Board of Directors and the Circle Administrator. Additionally, the new site, which can be easily updated, will offer comprehensive and dynamic information for all users, especially on events within the Circle community and the language service community at large. We have added more advanced searching capabilities in our member directory for those language service buyers seeking more specific language skills and services.
We are most excited about our member section. With the new member login, active members can access their accounts, set up and update the new, extensive profile format, register directly for meetings and special events, follow our community online, visit our photo gallery, download the Circle logo for personal use and eventually access audio files of our monthly meetings. All in all, we hope our new site will stimulate and strengthen communication within our Circle community.
Member Login
For the initial login, both active and inactive members should login with the e-mail address that is associated with the old site. When we are ready to launch, we will be sending out an e-mail with detailed instructions to guide members through the login process. We suggest that all members create a new username and password for the new site. After logging in, active members should be taken to their account page. We encourage you to spend time updating your profile page. Your profile information from the old site should have transferred to the new one. However, as you will see, we have added many more service and experience categories along with social media information so that you can complete your profile to your liking. Inactive members will be prompted to renew their membership for member access to the site. As I said, we will be contacting you with more specifics on the login process. If you have any questions or experience issues logging in, please contact us through the website.
The New Gotham
We are very pleased to introduce you to our first issue of the new online Gotham Translator. We will be e-mailing our members a link to each new online publication but we encourage you to visit the site as much as you like. Each issue will include articles, news and events pertinent to our industry, involving both the Circle and beyond. You will have the opportunity to comment on articles, which we hope will enrich the professional dialogue between our members. And we invite all members to consider contributing to the newsletter. Contact our Editor, Margarite, about ideas or suggestions for articles. Or share language-related news and events with the Circle community. You will find details about submissions at Publish in the Gotham.
Please be aware that a few details concerning the Gotham remain open at this time. Our Board of Directors needs to establish new advertising rates, which will be lower than those in the printed edition. If you know of anyone who might be interested in advertising in our online Gotham, please refer them to the site or contact Margarite with your ideas. We also hope to be able to add share buttons and social media icons to the new Gotham, but these details also need to be reviewed by the Board as they are a departure from the policy relating to our printed edition.
Going Online
We ask for patience as we launch both sites. Naturally, we hope that everything will go smoothly, but as is often the case with technical procedures, members may encounter bugs or glitches with either site, whether they be browser or device related. If you should experience any difficulties with either site, please let us know. Our development team is accustomed to designing websites for our industry, and they are ready to address any such issues. Finally, these sites were created for our members, so we would love to get your feedback on them!
About the Author
Gigi Branch is a freelance Fr > En translator who specializes in marketing and editorial translations. She has been a member of the New York Circle for the past 10 years. She also works as a Digital Content Manager and Project Coordinator.
