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Residents wanted a comprehensive calendar. Their message was clear.
Before the Branch Herald launched, the organizing team, including Publisher Kate Bergeron and Digital Editor Erin Cooper, asked community members what they wanted in their community news organization.
The overwhelming response was a single, comprehensive community calendar.
Between the local schools, the myriad of Farmers Branch city facilities such as the recreation center, Manske Library, The Branch Connection and public meetings as well as the many organizations and special events that happen in the city, Branch Herald’s volunteer staff had not been able to keep up with all that’s going on in the city. Each one of those organizations has its own calendar.
Residents said it was overwhelming trying to keep up with events because of how many websites and sources of events there are in Farmers Branch.
However, when the Branch Herald contracted with Creative Circle Media this summer for a website redesign, a new calendar was on the list of revisions. The site's calendar now allows members of the public to submit events. All events are reviewed by the Branch Herald editor before they go live to make sure they are appropriate for the publication.
It even has the capability of allowing businesses to place their special events and sales in the calendar for $20.
Several people in the community have already stepped in to help.
The process is simple though it requires users to create an account so Branch Herald staff can contact them if needed.
In the top navigation bar, if a user holds the "Event" button, another button "Submit One" drops down. Users can fill out the information, making sure they have created an account the first time they use the system, and logging in when they add subsequent events.
For paid events, the system has a secure credit card portal users can use.
Branch Herald recommends that users include an image for every event listed, keeping in mind that most users look at the website from their phones, which can make seeing font in images difficult if it is too small.
If you have questions or need help with the calendar, email Branch Herald at news@branchherald.com.
