On Friday, June 24, 2016 at 10:58:43 PM UTC-6, SoaringXCellence wrote:
As one of the contest "grunts" at Ephrata, I can tell you my day was pretty full even though I didn't get to compete as I had hoped. I served as the scorer and except for a few minutes between the last launch and the first completions, I worked from about 7 in the morning until 9 in the evening, even later if there were problems with IGC files or questions from pilots.

I actually wanted to do some reporting, but it was not clear how to post the material.

I can really admire anyone that has the jounalistic bent and the time to write even a short report, but we weren't blessed with such an individual at Ephrata.

Mike B.

Daily reporting of scores and a narrative are sanction requirements. It's an assigned role. Must be an SSA member to have access to the reporting area. Digital media is filled with shifting paradigms. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, and Vimeo are pretty useful. Facebook allows multiple editors for several page types. AFAIK, unless you purchase some form of business account, the others are limited to individuals. SSA FB has several editor. One was on the ground at Nephi, but her pilot withdrew and they've returned home. I did reach out to the Nephi organizers and they have a contest FB page. Many soaring pilots post to friends only, so can't be easily shared publicly. Some pilots do post their soaring exploits publicly and some of those are shared with the SSA FB page and the Let's Go Gliding FB page. Milestones are of great interest. Pictures are great, but those with a narrative are even better.

https://www.facebook.com/2016NephiNationals/?fref=ts

The SSA Facebook page serves to aggregate posts and links that might be of interest to SSA members and general interest, perhaps of a soaring event and article that may show how others are attracting interest.
https://www.facebook.com/SoaringSocietyofAmerica/
https://www.facebook.com/LetsGoGlidingSSA/

SSA FB posts and shares are embedded on the homepage of the SSA, www.ssa.org also, in case you don't do Facebook.

Even Facebook changes the way it handles posts, shares, and the user interface from time to time, causing temporary confusion and frustration until the new methods and techniques are discovered.

Original content starts at the grassroots, whether from an individual or contest or club/chapter or commercial operator. That's the challenge.

With regard to contests, yes, the SSA still wants daily narratives and images on the web site. It requires forward planning. It also requires good Internet service which may be lacking at some sites. I was told it would be available at Nephi, but whether it could support 50-100 users with one or more devices, that's another question.

Frank Whiteley