[Fuusm-l] Seeking congregational in put on "Wayside Pulpit" replacement

Fri Oct 27 11:42:18 CDT 2023

 I agree with Dawn , a new LED programmable sign can be very tastefully done & contain more information and be less time consuming and more economical in the long run. I do believe it will attract more attention.
I wonder, though, having been in the fellowship hall every Friday evening for nearly two years now at the old German Church at 4th & Scammel, aka St. Paul's Evangelical Church, why the heck I have never noticed such a sign of any kind. I also did not realize the church at 5th and Wooster has a LED sign. I was also unaware it is also an "Old German Church". Please correct my concept if I am in error. Maybe I am just not paying attention. Good luck with the projected long decision making process & multiple committees to be formed in relation to the sign, as I expect will take place, as with everything FUUSM related.
Love & Blessings to all!Brenda Lisk

      On Friday, October 27, 2023 at 11:31:59 AM EDT, Fuusm Office Assistant via Fuusm-l <fuusm-l at fuusm.org> wrote:  

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Most digital signs are eyesores because their owners want them to be eye-catching. Consider the digital sign on the historic German Evangelical church at the corner of Scammel and Fifth streets in Marietta. It is eye-catching—and repulsive. 

Here is why I favor a digital sign for FUUSM: The analog sign we have now—or even an updated version of it—is a waste of space, time, and energy that does nothing to serve our congregation.  Sure, it’s inconvenient to the church lady—especially during wet or wintry weather—but that’s not my (primary) reason for advocating for a more modern sign. There is nothing at all eye-catching about our current sign. There is no incentive to look at it more than once a week—but it is not eye-catching, so most people don’t even bother to look at it at all.

The capacity of information on the current sign is ridiculously limited. I can’t even fit “Kathryn Hawbaker” on one line on that sign, let alone “Philosophy of Inclusion” or “Congregational Meeting.” If we have two events to promote, odds are, they both won’t fit. If we opt for a new analog sign, unless it is more flexible than the current one it will be a waste of money. Maybe a new analog sign would have capital and small letters—but letters even smaller than the current one would be difficult to read. 

Especially if we opt for the 6mm letter spacing, a digital sign would not have to be garish or ugly. It would not have to flash in dayglo colors. We could opt to have messages last for a minute or more before gently dissolving into the next one. It could be eye-catching without being an eyesore. The ugliness of most digital signs is not in their technology, but in their garish presentation. A digital sign can be eye-catching without being an eyesore. Here’s FUUSM’s opportunity to be conservative (in presentation)! 

A generous benefactor will provide a new sign for us. Let’s make that sign be useful, appealing, enticing, even thought-provoking, informative, welcoming. That is beyond the capability of any analog sign. I’m not sure a digital sign can be attractive, but it doesn’t have to be repulsive.  If we’re going to get a sign, let’s invest in something that serves us well.

Our current sign was installed more than 100 years after the sanctuary was built—it was sexy new technology at the time, and maybe its style was controversial, too.

P.S. Your church lady does not do hand lettering. 

Dawn Hewitt

Office assistant

First Unitarian Universalist Society of Marietta

From: Gilbert Moore
Sent: Friday, October 27, 2023 10:40 AM
To: robin at bozian.com
Cc: Dawn Hewitt, FUUSM office assistant; Dawn Hewitt, FUUSM office assistant via Fuusm-l
Subject: Re: [Fuusm-l] Seeking congregational in put on "Wayside Pulpit" replacement

Displays of this type are completely controlled by the user.  It's really little more than a computer monitor, outdoors, on a stick.  If the display changes too fast that's an easily changed setting.  They are often programmed to change quickly so traffic sitting at a nearby stoplight can see the whole crawl before the light changes, but we can set it where we choose.    If we choose to just display unchanging white letters on a black background it would look pretty much like what we have now, except that nobody has to go out there and lose letters on 3rd street in the rain.

I think new signage that can be changed remotely and display anything desired will be a good upgrade even if the expanded capability is not used often.

Full disclosure - my son Joe Moore works at Elite and has put together this proposal. They will bring it in on time and will not leave until it's perfect and we know how to use it. They've done all our sign work for years and they do a great job every time.

Gil Moore

On Fri, Oct 27, 2023 at 10:02 AM robin--- via Fuusm-l <fuusm-l at fuusm.org> wrote:

I agree that having a digital sign would be easier to use but I have to say that I don't think they are attractive or convey messages well. 

I find the constantly flashing/changing LED messages irritating because they inevitably switch before I am able to read the message.  Providing a lot of information tends to minimize the impact of the main message. 

Surely there are signs that you can print your message out on paper and put up rather than having to add letters. 

Robin 

On 10/26/2023 10:43 AM EDT Dawn Hewitt, FUUSM office assistant via Fuusm-l <fuusm-l at fuusm.org> wrote: 

Dear FUUSM Members and Friends, 

Below is a letter to FUUSM members from the Buildings & Grounds Committee, penned by Al Tuttle, regarding replacement of the Wayside Pulpit (the outdoor sign I update every Monday). A PDF version of this letter is attached. Your input is requested. 

To provide input, you can reply to this email--your message will go to EVERYONE on the fuusm-l list. Alternatively, you can send your comments to bandg at fuusm.org, and your comments will go only to the members of the Buildings & Grounds Committee.  Thanks!  --dawn 

FUUSM Wayside Pulpit Replacement

The Building and Grounds Committee has been exploring options to replace the wayside pulpit (outside bulletin board/felt letter board) that is used to post information about FUUSM services and activities.  The old “manual” felt letter board display is falling apart and needs to be replaced.  

The question is whether to replace with a similar “manual” felt letter board system with boxes of letters and symbols, or to modernize and go with an electronic LED sign as many of the churches and businesses in the area have done.   

The Building and Grounds Committee is recommending that FUUSM modernize and install an electronic LED sign/wayside pulpit to replace the existing wayside pulpit.  Our “Church Lady” – Dawn Hewitt and Reverend Kat are also supportive of an electronic LED sign.  

In support of the LED sign, a FUUSM member has offered to pay a significant portion of the expense.

However, before proceeding, the Building and Grounds Committee would like to input from the FUUSM general membership regarding their thoughts and ideas on uses and other pros and cons.   We would also like input from members regarding the use and nature of the messages to be displayed (see issues below).

Below are some of the Pros and Cons of the Manual felt letter board vs. Electronic LED signs.

The old-style manual system (Felt Letter Board) with boxes of letters and symbols

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Pros:
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Cons:
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· Less Expensive -$1,200 to $5,600 plus letter sets ($60 to $150 per set) and installation.
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· Less flexible re: number and length of posts
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· Some think less intrusive
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· Requires being outside carrying a box of letters – oops I spilled the whole box!
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· Takes longer to post messages
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· Not easily updated re: changes to messages
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· Becoming obsolete 
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· Would also require electrical work if a lighted sign board was selected
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· Larger letters needed to be seen from distance (1.5” tall viewable from <= 20 ft) and larger letters = shorter message

· Shorter warranty period – typically one year.

· Letters break and/or get lost over time.
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Electronic LED Bulletin Board/Sign

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Pros:
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Cons:
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· Can be updated without having to go outside, and perhaps even from home via internet link.
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· Expensive
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· Unlimited number of messages/posts can be programmed to display on the sign.
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· Some may think it will detract from historic nature of the Church
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· Messages can be easily added or updated to reflect new information or changes to planned events
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· If attached to the network or accessible via Bluetooth, security must be considered – re: hackers posting/altering messages.
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· Depending upon model, it may be possible to display recorded or video events.
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· Will require installation of a dedicated electric circuit to power the sign.  (cost not part of proposal)
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· Some believe an electronic LED sign may draw younger members.
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· Able to display letters and graphic images

· LED lights of quality signs typically last 20,000 hours or more – typically guaranteed for 5 years.
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Proposal from Elite Signs:

The Building and Grounds Committee has received a proposal from Elite Signs for installation of a 4’2” wide x 2’4” tall LED sign manufactured by Optec Displays (OptecDisplay.com)  This size is recommended for easy viewing from the sidewalk and vehicles at the intersection.  We are considering two possible models.  One has LEDs spaced 10 mm apart ($10,405) and the second is a finer resolution with LEDs spaced 6 mm apart ($12,165).  Though more expensive, we are leaning toward the finer resolution sign for better clarity.   Installation would include removal of the old sign, installation of new posts to support the weight of the sign, and placement of the existing arched FUUSM name plate on top of the new sign.  Installation of a dedicated electrical circuit to power the sign is not included and would have to be done by an electrician.

Elite Signs is making arrangements with the manufacturer for an onsite demonstration of the two proposed signs and the software/computer interface that would be used to program the messages and their appearance.  Prospective date for the demonstration would be around November 21st or 22nd.    The exact date is yet to be determined.   When the date is finalized, we will announce it via email.   You are welcome to come for the viewing and offer your suggestions and/or comments as to your preferences.

If you cannot make it to the demonstration, you can view similar signs installed by Elite at the following locations:

1. St. Michaels Catholic Church, Vienna – this is a 10mm LED sign

2. Vienna Elementary School – this is a 10mm LED sign.

Issues:  These are outside of the purview of the Building and Grounds Committee and reflect more on FUUSM Policy regarding use of an LED electronic sign

Content:  Because the messages/announcements on an electronic LED sign can be displayed much like a slide show, rolling ticker tape,  or power point presentation, the number of messages and announcements that can be placed is unlimited.  So, a decision must be made as to what kinds of messages can be displayed.  Only FUUSM related services and activities?  Social Justice Issues and/or meetings held by other organizations?  Advertisements (as St. Michaels in Vienna does)?  Activities in the church by other organizations, e.g. girl scouts, Green Sanctuary?  Etc.

Who Decides Content: Is it the Board’s responsibility to set a policy on message content?  If not who?  Once a policy is set, how will exceptions be handled?

Appearance:  We would like the sign display to be eye catching but not garish, and not to detract from the appearance of the church.   We need design standards, perhaps based on guidelines provided by Elite Signs and the manufacturer.  Messages should have a consistent appearance.  Who/what committees in FUUSM should establish or have input into these design standards?

-- 

Dawn Hewitt 

Office assistant 

First Unitarian Universalist Society of Marietta 

232 Third St. 

Marietta, OH 45750 

(740)373-1238 

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 10 a.m.--2 p.m. 

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