Back-to-School Promotion!

Win $100 Target Gift Card, Start a Qlubb Today!

Rev-up your engines, it's Back-to-School season. Start the new year right, get your classroom, playgroup, sports team, scout troop organized!

• sign-up sheets
• online rsvps
• roster management
• shared calendar
• automatic event, task reminders
• photo sharing

To jump start your new year, we will enter you into a drawing for a $100 Target Gift Card. All you have to do is start Qlubb with 10 members. We will be holding a drawing each week!

It's so easy to start a Qlubb. We've made it so easy for club organizers and members connect, share and get stuff done - straightforward qlubb creation and no individual registrations.

5.4.3.2.1 And we're off!

Things are moving quickly here at Qlubb and we are really excited. We put out our first press release - wahoo! We are legit!

I wanted to thank all our users and supports over the past several months. Your suggestions (rants, raves) have really helped us to build out Qlubb - we really couldn't have done it without you. Every one of your suggestions is seriously debated and considered. Some key features recommended by you that are now in Qlubb include:

• easier Qlubb registration (via Captcha)
• improved photo sharing functionality
• online rsvp
• email lists
• recurring/copying events
• customized member roster fields
• and a whole lot more

Our user base comprises a wide range of Qlubbs, including classrooms, dog playgroups, knitting groups, book clubs, playgroups, and many more.

We are building Qlubb for you - group leaders and members who want a better way to share and get stuff done. We have an open door policy for user feedback. I strongly encourage you to continue to share your Qlubb experiences with us - it all helps us to make Qlubb a better service for you.

Spread the word about Qlubb to your friends, neighbors, schools, churches, family, sports teams... We are offering a back-to-school promotion - all new Qlubbs (with more than 10 users) will be entered in for a weekly $100 Target Gift Card drawing!

New Release - Redesigned Photo Sharing and Additional Administration Features

This morning we released some great new features, including a completely redesigned photo-sharing feature. To briefly summarize the key features:

• New photo sharing slide show which allows members to comment on photos
  
• Ability to specify which group type you are
  
• Ability to customize the fields you'd like to collect from your members.
  
• Ability to change passwords and auto generate an email notifying all members

Photo Sharing

Photo sharing has been improved significantly. Here are a number of improvements:

• Bulk upload of multiple photos
  
• Ability to upload photos into albums or tagged to specific dates
  
• Ability to name photos
  
• Ability for anyone in the Qlubb to comment on photos.
  
• Ability to delete undesired photos.

For existing users, please check your Qlubb and let us know what you think of the new photo sharing features. As always you can send feedback to help@qlubb.com.

Administration with Custom Qlubbs

We are finding that there are so many different types of clubs, groups, associations that are using Qlubb. In order to cater to the wide diversity of groups, we are offering some optional customization. We've had groups of dog walkers, video gamers, iphone aficionados, playgroups, soccer teams to name just a few types of groups that have formed Qlubbs. Each group wants to be able to collect different information from its members. With today's release, Qlubb can do the following:

• When creating a Qlubb, you can select a template which will set up a couple of fields that may be appropriate for your Qlubb type. If your Qlubb type is not there, no worries, just check "Other" and let us know what type of Qlubb you are.
  
• Once you create a Qlubb, you can add, modify adn delete fields that are appropraite for your Qlubb. Some groups may want to collect address information, while others may want to ask their members what their favorite color is, or what their children's allergies are.
  

We've also released the ability to change your password and automatically generate an email that gets sent to every member of the password change.

We'd love to hear from you so please don't hesitate to contact us at help@qlubb.com to let us know what you think. We have a bunch of new exciting things planned and we'll be keeping you up to date on all of our development activities.

Cheers.

Book Qlubbs Made Easy

We’ve gotten a lot of feedback from book lovers starting book clubs on Qlubb. Book clubs are a fantastic way to escape everyday concerns and connect with similarly minded people who enjoy reading, conversation, food and drink! Here are some practical and useful tips to get your BOOK QLUBB running.

1. Decide what kind of book club you want to start – non-fiction, classic, biographies, poetry, Oprah books, or a mix. Picking a book club with a focus will help recruit and retain members.
2. Recruit friends and co-workers who are avid readers and would be interested in the type of club you have chosen. Though you will attract new members over time, 4-5 initial members will help work out the club's kinks.
   
3. Organize the book club online. Online group sites like Qlubb allow you to post important information, such as meeting dates and places, the booklist and schedule, member contact information, and links to book discussion guides.
4. Decide on the first 3-4 books to be read and discussed. The first set of books should be agreed upon by the founding members. When it is time to select the next set of books, ask each member to bring at least 3 selections that everyone can choose from. Members may also want to bring blurbs and reviews of the books to inform everyone's decision. Also be aware of your member’s budgetary constraints when selecting books. Some clubs will limit book options to those available at local libraries, WalMart, or Costco.
5. Determine the book club's dates and meeting locations. If possible rotate the book club meetings amongst your members. Also, picking a specific day, such as the first Tuesday of each month, can make it easier to arrange child care and remember the meeting time. Record these meetings onto the Qlubb's online site. We all have busy schedules. Give members at least one month to finish a book.
6. Rotate drink and snack responsibilities. As much as a book club is for discussing books, it is also an opportunity for socializing. Discussion about the book can become a bit slow, and the availability of drinks and food can create a more social and relaxed atmosphere. You can use Qlubb’s online sign-up sheets to track who will bring the food and the drinks to the events.
Take turns being discussion leader – for each meeting, allow members to sign-up to be discussion leaders. Or you can simply assign members to that task.
7. Track member RSVPs. Use Qlubb to automatically send out online RSVP for each meeting. This will provide an accurate head count for people bringing food and drinks.
8. Recruit new members CAREFULLY. A few odd individuals in the book club can quickly mess up the club's dynamic and cause the club's dissolution. New members are essential, but ideally should be recommended or referred by existing members.

Happy Reading, and let us what you are reading in your Book Qlubbs!

Making it easier to manage a youth sports team..

Over the past few days, we have seen a whole slew of youth sports teams create Qlubbs. It appears that many parents are preparing their youth sports teams for the Fall season. Given this surge of organized parents, we thought we would give some well-proven and new tricks to managing a youth sports team.

1. Manage the team roster online. Make sure you get every player’s key information like their preferred contact method (email, cellphone, etc.). Set up an email list with Qlubb as the common communication means. Keep the kid's information on the online roster.
   
   
2. Get the 911. Related to the previous step, set up the call tree so that you can get in touch with people when it counts. People’s preferred method of communication should be taken into account. Last minute rain outs of games and other cancellations require a quick and reliable response so that nobody gets stuck. Maintain this roster online so that everyone has the most up-to-date contact information.
   
   
3. Publish the game schedule. Get a master schedule online published as soon as possible. It should include all practices, games and tournaments. Putting it online cuts down on needless email chatter and eliminates miscommunication. Let Qlubb's automatic reminder feature notify and remind parents of upcoming events and games.
   
   
4. Set up a sign-up sheet for volunteers. Don’t get stuck doing everything. Parents are really willing to help if they know what to do and where. For each game and event, setup a sign-up sheet so that parents can volunteer for snack duty, equipment maintenance, snack bar duty, etc. Qlubb's online sign-up sheet is cool because it parents can sign-up at their own time and offers automatic task reminders to the volunteers.
   
   
5. Figure out the budget Most budgets for recreational sports teams are simple however, the numbers do have to add up at the end of the season. Make sure you account for all costs like league fees, equipment costs, tournament fees, transportation and housing costs. Remember that having a fundraiser costs money. Look at ways to defray costs through activity fees, bake sales/car washes, sponsorships from local sports stores, subsidies from sports equipment manufacturers, etc.
   
   
6. Build on the community A sports team comprises families that form a community around the common interest of sport. However, over time as people get to know each other, bonds strengthen. Fostering the community through things like photo sharing, team picnics, after game dinners are a great way to have fun while also improving trust and teamwork.
   
   
7. Do something special Getting your team excited about the sport can help enrich the experience. If the professionals are having a tournament in town, arrange for a field trip. If you are budget conscious, you can see some great competition at the college level.
   
   
8. Broadcast your accomplishments! Put up a public web page and talk about your wins! Nothing makes a team more proud than to let people know what you accomplished. It also lets players send that link to grandma. Qlubb has the ability to automatically generate a public site based on the content of the site which minimizes the overhead.

And of course, have fun. Remember it's just a game. Got any more tips, let us know!

To room parent or to not room parent - ABCs of Room parenting

So now that we are mentally prepared for back-to-school (yeah right), the next big pressing decision is to room parent or to not room parent.

Now I admit, I have heard/read all the horror stories, but with a little organization, a lot of delegation, and help from Qlubb, it can be a very rewarding and fun experience. Below are some tips from my many years (I am a three-peater) of being a room parent...

1. Communicate clearly.
   Parents actually love to help, but most of the time, they just don't know what to do and where. Busy parents just don't have the time nor patience to dig through stuff or inquire about how to help in the classroom - so spell it out clearly and have it easily available.
   
   Do NOT send out a general email that says "Volunteers needed for September" - Trust me NO ONE will sign up.
   
   
2. Setup an online group site and email.
   Utilize the Internet and set up a classroom site on the Internet. With a shared calendar, online sign-up sheets, shared to-do lists, roster management, photo sharing, etc... - online group sites are the best and easiest way to keep everyone on the same page and informed.
   
   Some of the newer services like Qlubb also have integrated email distribution lists that help remind parents of events, tasks, etc.
   
   
3. But do NOT spam.
   While email is very tempting as a communication tool, do NOT send out more than one room parent-related email to the parent. Any more than that, parents will tune your email out ("mental spam filter"). Keep emails short and concise with links to sign-up sheets, calendars, information, etc.
   
   
4. Delegate, delegate, delegate.
   By signing on as room parent, you are not volunteering for every event and every task - you are the organizing person, not the only do-er. So use sign-up sheets (online is best - ubiquitous and real-time) frequently - this is the best way to communicate with other parents what is needed, when, and where.
   
   With Qlubb's online sign-up sheets, I have been completely hands-off when it comes to organizing and staffing classroom events. In other words "awesome." Everyone knew who was doing what/when and where - no staffing redundancies, no miscommunication and the reminders went out automatically to the volunteers!
   
   
5. Communicate frequently with the teacher.
   Make time each week to spend 10 minutes with the teacher to discuss upcoming events, needs, and activities. Some teachers even prefer to connect via email since their classroom time and afterschool time is very hectic.
   
   
6. You are a room parent not a therapist.
   Do not try to mediate problems between families and teachers. Don't take sides. If there are issues, lead the family to the correct school staff (e.g., learning specialist, school psychologist, principal, etc.)
   
   
7. Collect a classroom slush fund.
   If your school allows it, build a classroom slush fund at the beginning of the year. Ask the parents to contribute $25 dollars to the fund to cover various expenses during the year, including special event expenses, costumes for plays. Having a classroom pot makes it MUCH easier to plan events, buy supplies, etc - no need to hassle every parent every month for a few dollars. Any money left over can be used for the end of school year or holiday gift.
   
   (caveat: some schools discourage this because it conflicts with their Annual Fund or fundraising, so find out the school's policy)
   
   
8. Share photos.
   Parents love photos. Use the online group sites or other photo sites to share photos of events.
   
   (caveat: some parents are cautious about putting their children's images on the Web. Some of the photo sites, flickr, picasa, shutterfly, use security through obscurity (i.e. they use a long, obscure URL, but no password). Qlubb protects all photos marked private via the Qlubb password.)

As a founder of Qlubb, I know it sounds self-serving, but I REALLY love using Qlubb in my children's classrooms. I don't know how many countless events, field trips, garage sales, parties that were planned via Qlubb.

Qlubb really takes out all the overhead, the extra emails, the phone calls, the miscommunication, the hassle, the reminders, the organization... and really allows me and the other parents to just enjoy the events.

If you have any other tips, I'd love to hear from you.