The Journey
A newsletter for chapter advisors, chapter officers, and
regional officers.
October 2000
Issue
Developing and Maintaining Your Chapter Web Site
Build It and They Will Come...The Real Question Is Will
They Come Back?
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The chapter at Bucks County Community College in Newtown, Pennsylvania, uses creative graphics to organize their web site. Visit them at www.bucks.edu/~pixi/. |
Phi Theta Kappa chapters are increasingly becoming a part of cyberspace. In fact, 34 percent of the Society’s chapters now boast web sites. If the purpose of having a web site is to improve your communication, then simply developing one won’t accomplish your goal. The secret to a successful web site is regular maintenance.
If done effectively, a chapter web site can be the easiest, fastest and most reliable way to communicate late-breaking news to your members. So how can you ensure your chapter’s web site is not a one-hit wonder? Some strategies ...
Establish a web site theme.
This theme should be used throughout your site’s pages. One idea is to use the current Honors Study Topic, “In the Midst of Water: Origin and Destiny of Life,” by incorporating water-based ideas. The chapter at Skyline College in San Bruno, California, has used this idea by developing the “Ultimate Water Quiz,” where visitors who answer the questions correctly are rewarded. You can find the quiz and much more at www.smcccd.cc.ca.us/smcccd/skyline/honors/kappa/.
After the theme has been elected, recruit a member who is a computer science/ technology major. Don’t be intimidated! Many of the best web sites are developed by students.
The Palm Beach Community College chapter in Lake Worth, Florida, has utilized the talents of several of its officers to create a colorful and comprehensive site accessible at www.geocities.com/deltaomicron2000_2001/Ptk.html.
Be sure to allow other members, not just officers, to contribute ideas for the enhancement of your chapter’s site. Encourage feedback by utilizing a ‘contact us’ option on your web page.
Advertise Your Internet Address.
For most Phi Theta Kappa chapter web sites, visitors will consist of members, potential members, advisors, Phi Theta Kappa Headquarters staff and college officials. Your audience may, to a lesser extent, consist of members of your community and contributors to your college or Phi Theta Kappa. For maximum effect, it is important for your site not only to be well-developed and educational, but also well-publicized. Use every opportunity to list your chapter’s web presence — on brochures, posters, newsletters, chapter directories and forms, induction programs, college handbooks, etc. If possible, ask your college administration to provide a link to your web page from the college’s web site.
To maximize your exposure on the official Phi Theta Kappa website, be sure to submit your chapter's site address to the Headquarters Data Manager, data.manager@ptk.org. Doing this will ensure that your chapter's site will be linked from the offical Chapter Directory.
Once you get them there, make it worth their while.
The Longview Community College chapter in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, provides a good example of strong content on their web site at www.kcmetro.cc.mo.us/longview/ptk/. Their site includes an on-line newsletter, a calendar of events, a description of each Phi Theta Kappa hallmark along with specific hallmark activities, a contact list for chapter officers and advisors, and informational links to the Society Headquarters’ web site.
Other ideas for content your chapter may consider are interesting reports and photos from recent regional meetings and a “Top 10 List” of ways members can get involved. (Bake a cake for chapter’s weekly fundraiser, volunteer as an America’s Promise mentor, wear your Phi Theta Kappa t-shirt on Fridays, ... you get the idea!)
It's important to remember to use your chapter's site for information and content specific to your activities and goals -- make it reflect your chapter's specific strengths and interests!
When it comes to official content, like scholarship information and official guidelines to the Hallmark Awards Program or the Journey Challenge, always link back to the best and most up-to-date resource, the Phi Theta Kappa International Headquarters website, www.ptk.org.
Make it easy to navigate.
Two important steps in building and maintaining a great web site are organization and navigation. It is helpful to categorize your site information and links into a flowchart or tree menu. This chart should outline your entire site and all links. Consider placing common elements on each page or in each section and make sure visitors can go “home” from any page on your site or move from “previous” to “next” page with the click of a mouse.
Also consider adding useful links from your site to your college’s web page and a mail link to the person who maintains the site.
Keep It Simple.
When considering your site’s interface design, or the aesthetical appearance of your site, the most significant elements are simplicity and predictability. Your web site should not be filled with slow loading, visually distracting graphics. Users should be able to easily read your text and quickly move through your site.
Instead of elaborate graphic displays, add pictures of your chapter members actively involved in Society activities. The chapter at Wytheville Community College in Wytheville, Virginia, has incorporated a “photo page” into their site, www.geocities.com/alphadeltabeta_ptk/. It includes pictures of inductions and members in action.
Update, Update, Update.
Change and update your site information regularly (weekly is recommended or at least monthly). Users will revisit your site if they can anticipate new information. A “What’s New” section or page is a great way to organize late-breaking news.
Many chapters and regions have also had success with an electronic mailing list, allowing members to register for the mailing list at their web sites. (For an example, visit the Texas regional web site at www.txptk.org.) This serves two purposes: it allows chapters to send members important updates via e-mail instead of relying on the members to visit the web site regularly; it also serves as a great way to direct members to your web site for more information.
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