My request was for a simple, clean, non-cluttered web design that would be easy to navigate and to update as needed. It would have to accommodate the fact that the current CPSP.ORG site is mostly static (like a poster) except for documents and the CPSP Directory updates while the Pastoral Report is dynamic with its content frequently changing. The site would need to be constructed where content, not design, could be easily updated without the assistance of a professional Webmaster. It was also understood that once the site is operative, the designer would be available on a fee bases to trouble shoot and help when needed. Again, EPS was in full agreement and a contract between EPS and CPSP was established.

In response to my request, several ideas for logos were offered. EPS eventually created the logo seen on the top banner of the site. Here is the description of its evolution and meaning provided by the Jedd Haas, who is the founder and serves as Creative Director for all EPS’s design work:

"There are many different ways of coming up with a logo. One way is to simply draw different images, hoping to come up with one that's acceptable. A more refined way of going about it is to work from a "design brief" - a short written statement that describes what the logo should convey.

In the case of CPSP, reading the statements on the site gave me several ideas. The description of the programs suggested a broad-based set of ideas. This in turn suggested what might be problematic in the existing logo. The "brackets" logo suggested a "boxing in" or narrow definition to me; my thinking was that the replacement logo should suggest the broader set of program ideas described on the site.

Additionally, the concept of "Recovery of Soul" which is mentioned as a central idea suggested an image that might be described as "uplifting" or transformative, rather than the "boxing in" concept I saw in the brackets logo. Finally, the concept of community and the autonomy of connected communities seemed to be a central idea from the site text.

Keeping in mind the idea of growth and transformation, I drew the present logo idea, which to me was a stylized representation of iris leaves. As I refined the idea and completed it, it also seemed evocative of a human figure, which for me ties it into the idea of "recovery of soul."

In addition to a few within the CPSP, I "field tested" the logo with some who had no connection to CPSP and with no clues provided to even hint what meaning might be communicated via the logo. I found it rather amazing that all had similar interpretations to those of the artist.

The reason the Pastoral Report is on the front page of CPSP.ORG is the designer’s response and critique of our competitor’s websites. He described them as poster sites, not dynamic sites. He saw this as troublesome. The inclusion of the PR on the front page is due to its dynamic content with information changing on a regular bases. A dynamic site will in itself create more interest in and visitors to CPSP.ORG. Having more visitors also means we move higher on the Google's search engine. It will also increase the possibility that our static information such as the CPSP Covenant, Standards, mission statement and the CPSP Directory being more frequently visited and reviewed.

I hope the new CPSP.ORG website will serve our community well.