Webmaster Roundtable

1. Website creation & maintenance
   1. Connecticut State PTA Website has some good resources
   2. Website Building tutorial
   3. Why are you building a website & who are you building it for?

    

2. Tools
   1. Web Hosting
      1. Texas PTA Network Free Website
      2. HostMonster (for email addresses)
      3. Go Daddy (for email addresses)
   2. Editors
      1. Texas PTA Network Free Website
   3. Calendars
      1. Local Calendar
      2. Calendars Net
   4. Forms
      1. Membership application
         1. MySignUp.com
   5. Free PDF generators
      1. Ghostscript, etc.
         1. Ghostscript website
         2. Ghostscript Documentation
      2. CutePDF

    

3. Website
   1. Content & organization
      1. Website Judging
      2. Searches
   2. Promoting your website
      1. HTML “meta” tags
      2. Domain registration with Yahoo, Google, etc.
      3. favicon.ico
         1. DynamicDrive icon generator
   3. Clipart and image resources
      1. PTA Logos
      2. Clipart&More
      3. Getty royalty-free images
   4. Fonts
      1. Browser-safe
   5. Document repository
      1. Password protection capabilities within TPN website
      2. Reimbursement forms, Plan of Work templates
      3. Directory, approved Plans of Work, Training materials

       

4. Internet Safety & Security (posting email addresses, phone numbers, etc.)
   1. TX PTA removed email addresses (and added them back later, then changed to .gif)
   2. Email addresses generic?  Forwarded?
      1. No "live" links to avoid spam
          
5. E-communication
   1. Mailing Lists
      1. Texas PTA Network Free Website
      2. Constant Contact
      3. Dada Mail (free!)
      4. Your MailingList Provider (free!): 
   2. E-newsletters -- tips & techniques
      1. Frequency, etc.

       

6. Budgets
7. Resources
   1. "Don't Make Me Think" by Steve Krug (available at local libraries)
   2. "The Non-Designer's Web Book" by Robin Williams & John Tollett (available at local libraries)
   3. C-FB ISD Council Webmaster
   4. Website/Newsletter Training by LISD Council Webmaster Christy Myre

TX PTA Electronic Communications Award

BRONZE LEVEL RECOGNITION

Each of the following requirements must be met to receive this level.

1. Theme/Goals
2. Graphics/Background/Use of Color
3. Legibility (Color Definition, Font Type and Size)
4. Ongoing Projects (Recycling, etc.)
5. Legislative Updates
6. Newsletter

SILVER LEVEL RECOGNITION

To achieve a Silver Level Award complete all of the Bronze Level requirements plus the following

Links to

7. National and Texas PTAs
8. Area and Council PTAs
9. School (If separate page) and School District
10. Other (Volunteer app., TEA, NEA, etc.)

Information:

11. Meeting Information
12. Mission and Purpose of PTA
13. Recognition of Students/Teachers
14. Membership Form/Information

GOLD LEVEL RECOGNITION

To achieve a Gold Level Award complete all of the Silver Level requirements plus the following:

Information:

15. Board Roster with Contact
16. Volunteer Opportunities

Ease of Use:

17. Identification on all pages
18. Logical organization of information
19. Consistent and easy navigation

TX PTA Free Website
Christy Myre, LISD Council Webmaster website@lisdpta.org

The PTN website provides many great features that PTAs will find very useful. The tutorials are short, simple, clear and informative.  Use them in each section they are available.  This will save you time and frustration unless you are used to the 'module' type of website management.  Below is the Admin Menu in a nutshell. This will assist you when beginning to build your website.

The Admin Menu consists of three sections. When a link in a section is clicked, additional tools/links will be located at the top of the page.

Site Configuration

• Admin Chat - Chat with other PTN Admins
• Log In Manager - Member login information
• Site Information - Title and description that displays at the top of the Home Page
• Theme Manager - Change theme colors, background image, text and link colors
• Site Statistics
• Three For Me - Volunteer hours tracking, create goals, events
• Module Manager
  • Main Modules are available in the top toolbar can be turned on and off as well as limited to specific groups or types of users (Visitors, Members, Custom Groups, Admins). These include: Calendar, Files, Forums, Meeting Minutes, Three For Me (volunteer commitments/tracking), Directory (site members), PM's (private messages), Links, Surveys and Site Pages.
  • Admin Modules - You can have multiple Admins and specify what is available to them when they go to the Admin section. These include the ones mentioned above, Home Page / Bulletins, Registration, Theme Manager, Site Statistics, Module Manager, Member Groups, Invitation Manager, Member Manager and Mass Mail
• Private Messages - Can be sent one at a time or to many. Check the box next to the name of the person you want it sent to.

Member Management

• Member Directory - Information about members who registered on your site
• Registration - Members awaiting approval
• Member Groups - Create your own. Specify rights to modules and send mass e-mails to groups or individuals
• Invitation Manager - Send a (website) membership invitation to one person at a time. First name, last name and email address is all you need to enter.
• Member Manager - Activate / Disable / Delete Member Accounts
• Mass Mail - Send mass email to specific groups.

Content

• Home Page /  Bulletins - Edit your home page, add / edit / delete bulletins
• Edit Site Pages - add / edit / delete pages
• Calendar - add / edit / delete events including a volunteer request field!
• Files - add / edit / delete / upload files and folders
• Forums (under construction)
• Meeting Minutes - Enter using text editor or upload files
• Links - Create and specify display order
• Surveys - Create surveys to display for specific users or groups

Features Available Soon
 

• Forums activated fully
• Even more clipart coming soon   Added
• Email notifications for account created, account activated, new registration   Added
• Allowing upload of own background image
• Allowing for import of membership roster to mass-create accounts at once   Added
• Exportation to spreadsheet from site directory
• Addition of paying online dues through the site
• Enhancements to calendar
• Allowing PTA to pay to remove sponsors, PTA then can use own sponsors
• Enhancements to mass-mail
• Enhancements to admin area
• Saving display settings

Sign up now before your PTA name is taken! To sign up, view updates and known issues, visit: http://ptanetwork.txpta.org/

Get a Website (www.txpta.org for more info)

Email support@webptn.com to create your website.  Supply the following information:

• Your PTA name
• President's first and last name.
• President's email.
• "Requested Site Name".txpta.org  i.e. adamspta.txpta.org (provide 1st and 2nd choices)

Change Master Password

1. Login using defined userid/password

2. Admin Menu

3. Site Configuration -> Log In Manager

4. Reset password  

 Create Webmaster Administrator

1. Admin Menu

2. Member Management -> Member Manager

3. Create Member (@ top)

4. Activate

5. Member Management -> Member Manager

6. Site Admins (@ top)

7. Make Admin

About the Website

• Public & Member Only (selectable when setting up pages, links, etc)

• Video Help system

• Files:  upload icons, logos, files, create folders – to use anywhere on your website

• Some examples: 

  • http://area16.txpta.org/

  • http://valleyridgepta.txpta.org

  • http://barronpta.txpta.org

  • http://vaughanpta.txpta.org

Website Award Criteria Mapping to Texas PTA Network Website