Best Practices for Chapter Websites A few notes before we
begin: While sanctioned by the Electronic Communications Committee,
please be aware that this is essentially one persons vision of what
makes a great website; None of this is cast in stone; This
slideshow presumes that your Chapter already has a web presence and
the resources needed to tweak your website; Chapters should strive
to create a website that is unique to their ASHRAE fellowship; Try
to accommodate different visitor types: what would a prospective
member like to see, as opposed to a Past-President, or perhaps a
casually active member; Chapter Websites are the World Wide Window
into your Chapter use yours to your best advantage. Best Practices
for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter member ECC
Slide 2
The Home (Index) Page
Slide 3
Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter
member ECC Obtain a photo to use as your website masthead this
photo of downtown Ottawa was taken while standing on a railway
bridge do your best to use something unique to your city
Slide 4
Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter
member ECC The Welcome Page should prominently display the ASHRAE
name and correct Chapter logo. These are available from the
Communications Manager at ashrae.org (currently Jodi Scott)
Slide 5
Welcome Page - President Steve Moons Best Practices for Chapter
Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter member ECC Your current Chapter
President is the Captain of your Ship - display a photo and a page
header - the President's name
Slide 6
Welcome Page - President Steve Moons Best Practices for Chapter
Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter member ECC Make room for the
Magnificent Seven, and make them prominent on every page of the
website. This is just a phrase I dreamed up for the Grassroots
Committees + YEA.
Slide 7
Welcome Page - President Steve Moons Best Practices for Chapter
Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter member ECC Use of an outside
merchant for collecting fees and event registration is highly
recommended - a major benefit is cash flow
Slide 8
Welcome Page - President Steve Moons Best Practices for Chapter
Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter member ECC Career Adverts (or Job
Opportunities) bring in funds - include a section for these. You
can either use these funds to bolster your Chapter reserves, or use
them to raise money for Research Promotion
Slide 9
Welcome Page - President Steve Moons Best Practices for Chapter
Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter member ECC Include a Welcome
Message Include Social Media links
Slide 10
Welcome Page - President Steve Moons Best Practices for Chapter
Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter member ECC Chapter Events should be
on the index page and easy to find
Slide 11
Welcome Page - President Steve Moons Best Practices for Chapter
Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter member ECC Build your site around
History - everything is history as soon as it happens - and this
should be on your website
Slide 12
Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter
member ECC Further down The Home (Index) Page
Slide 13
Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter
member ECC Include the latest Presidential Message on the Index
Page
Slide 14
Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter
member ECC Your Chapter History might be lengthy - continue the
years as appropriate
Slide 15
Include photos from latest events plus links to full photo
library online Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R.
Potter member ECC
Slide 16
Post thanks to valued supporters on the index page Include
standard ashrae.org disclaimer clause on index page
Slide 17
Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter
member ECC Footer on every page of the website with contact us and
webmaster links Every page should have last updated information
keep the website current
Slide 18
Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter
member ECC The Magnificent Seven (mainly the Grassroots
Committees)
Slide 19
Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter
member ECC Allow a separate page for each of the major committees
strive to post current information Provide Chair contact info. and
dated updates
Slide 20
Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter
member ECC
Slide 21
Slide 22
Use the Historical Committee page to post spotlight bios on
special Chapter members
Slide 23
Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter
member ECC Typical spotlight page, for George Carscallen, Ottawa
Valley Chapter past-president and legend
Slide 24
Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter
member ECC The Year Pages
Slide 25
Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter
member ECC Every year has its own year page
Slide 26
Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter
member ECC Each year page includes the Board photo, and links to
all newsletters, minutes, photos available
Slide 27
Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter
member ECC Each Board member is shown on the year page with photo
from that year, and history of Board service Gradually summaries of
the years are added
Slide 28
Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter
member ECC Typical Year Summary with photo of normal meeting
location for that year
Slide 29
Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter
member ECC Further down the Year Summary page, key events and
dollar values from the period are posted
Slide 30
Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter
member ECC Each Board member has a unique Service History page
Slide 31
Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter
member ECC Here we can see George Carscallens Board years and other
service history
Slide 32
Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter
member ECC Each Year Page has a link for Awards received in that
year George received his Distinguished Service Award in 2002
Slide 33
Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter
member ECC The Current Year Page
Slide 34
Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter
member ECC Current BOG photo with names to faces
Slide 35
Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter
member ECC For the Current Year page, indicate Chapter roles and
Committee involvement, along with contact information for each
member of the Board
Slide 36
Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter
member ECC Include Chapter Director (possibly a salaried position
responsible for event management and day-to-day Treasurer
activities) and Official Photographer as appropriate
Slide 37
Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R. Potter
member ECC Start each year page with a standard set of unlinked
events. Link to newsletters, minutes, meeting photos, meeting video
as it becomes available through the year. The ongoing history of
the Chapter is continuously recorded when this system is used.
Slide 38
Best Practices for Chapter Websites Final notes: The
relationship between the Chapter Historian and the Chapter
Webmaster is very important; The Historian must ensure that all
events are photographed or otherwise recorded, providing constant
material for the Webmaster; Other than the initial interface onto
Upcoming Chapter Events and major Committees, the Chapter Website
is really the repository for all things Historical; Chapters should
strive to build a website that celebrates ongoing achievement by
its members and shares it with the outside world; This slideshow is
built around the Ottawa Valley Chapter website at:
www.ashrae.Ottawa.on.ca Best Practices for Chapter Websites -
20150212 - R. Potter member ECC
Slide 39
Contributors This document is the result of collaboration
between: Roderic Potter, member ECC, and webmaster, ASHRAE Ottawa
Valley Chapter; Heather Schopplein, member ECC; Pamela Androff,
member ECC. Best Practices for Chapter Websites - 20150212 - R.
Potter member ECC