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 person’s 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 R. Potter member ECC

The Home (Index) Page

Best Practices for Chapter Websites 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

Best Practices for Chapter Websites 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)

Welcome Page - President Steve Moons Best Practices for Chapter Websites 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

Welcome Page - President Steve Moons Best Practices for Chapter Websites 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.

Welcome Page - President Steve Moons Best Practices for Chapter Websites R. Potter member ECC Use of an outside merchant for collecting fees and event registration is highly recommended - a major benefit is cash flow

Welcome Page - President Steve Moons Best Practices for Chapter Websites 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

Welcome Page - President Steve Moons Best Practices for Chapter Websites R. Potter member ECC Include a Welcome Message Include Social Media links

Welcome Page - President Steve Moons Best Practices for Chapter Websites R. Potter member ECC Chapter Events should be on the index page and easy to find

Welcome Page - President Steve Moons Best Practices for Chapter Websites R. Potter member ECC Build your site around History - everything is history as soon as it happens - and this should be on your website

Best Practices for Chapter Websites R. Potter member ECC Further down The Home (Index) Page

Best Practices for Chapter Websites R. Potter member ECC Include the latest Presidential Message on the Index Page

Best Practices for Chapter Websites R. Potter member ECC Your Chapter History might be lengthy - continue the years as appropriate

Include photos from latest events plus links to full photo library online Best Practices for Chapter Websites R. Potter member ECC

Post thanks to valued supporters on the index page Include standard ashrae.org disclaimer clause on index page

Best Practices for Chapter Websites 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

Best Practices for Chapter Websites R. Potter member ECC The Magnificent Seven (mainly the Grassroots Committees)

Best Practices for Chapter Websites 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

Best Practices for Chapter Websites R. Potter member ECC

Use the Historical Committee page to post spotlight bios on special Chapter members

Best Practices for Chapter Websites R. Potter member ECC Typical spotlight page, for George Carscallen, Ottawa Valley Chapter past-president and legend

Best Practices for Chapter Websites R. Potter member ECC The Year Pages

Best Practices for Chapter Websites R. Potter member ECC Every year has its own “year page”

Best Practices for Chapter Websites R. Potter member ECC Each year page includes the Board photo, and links to all newsletters, minutes, photos available

Best Practices for Chapter Websites 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

Best Practices for Chapter Websites R. Potter member ECC Typical Year Summary – with photo of normal meeting location for that year

Best Practices for Chapter Websites R. Potter member ECC Further down the Year Summary page, key events and dollar values from the period are posted

Best Practices for Chapter Websites R. Potter member ECC Each Board member has a unique Service History page…

Best Practices for Chapter Websites R. Potter member ECC Here we can see George Carscallen’s Board years and other service history

Best Practices for Chapter Websites R. Potter member ECC Each Year Page has a link for Awards received in that year George received his Distinguished Service Award in 2002

Best Practices for Chapter Websites R. Potter member ECC The Current Year Page

Best Practices for Chapter Websites R. Potter member ECC Current BOG photo with names to faces

Best Practices for Chapter Websites 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

Best Practices for Chapter Websites 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

Best Practices for Chapter Websites 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.

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: Best Practices for Chapter Websites R. Potter member ECC

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 R. Potter member ECC