The document provides an overview of leveraging online technology for chapter activities. It discusses setting up a chapter website using SHRM's hosting program, which allows for easy content management without HTML knowledge and has no restrictions on content or traffic. It also offers tips for making websites sticky through features like upcoming meetings, member directories, news, and discussion boards. Finally, it provides examples of free and low-cost software and online tools that chapters can use for tasks like website design, audio/video production, surveys, e-newsletters, meetings, and membership management.

1. Leveraging Online Technology for Chapter Activities Speakers: Heidi Byerly, CIO, Society for Human Resource Management Mike Frost, SHRM Online

2. Today’s Agenda Overview of chapter web sites SHRM’s chapter/state council web program Tips for enhancing your web site

3. Why Have a Chapter Web Site? Cheap (even cost-free) way of distributing newsletters, meeting announcements, member rosters, etc., to current members Effective way to reach potential new members Platform for online events, discussion areas, etc. Lets you give the right answer to the question, “So, what’s your web site address?”

4. SHRM Can Help Your Chapter Get (Or Grow) Online SHRM Chapters and State Councils have access to web site content management software that can be used to easily add or modify content (no HTML knowledge required) SHRM will host -- cost free -- your web site on its highly reliable array of servers Unlike low-cost solutions, the SHRM initiative places no restrictions on web traffic or content volume Allows simple creation of member-only content SHRM provides a dedicated staff member for training and basic technical support

5. Creating “Sticky” Web Sites Upcoming meetings Member directories (keep data privacy concerns in mind) News (SHRM provides free RSS feeds) Discussion areas Blogs Audio/video clips (Podcasts are surprisingly easy to produce) Press releases

6. Promoting Your Site Add URL to all chapter/council letterhead, print materials, business cards, etc. Add listings in Google, Yahoo and other search engine. (Be sure your chapter name and location are clearly indicated in the title bar and near the top of your web document) Get listed in SHRM’s online chapter directory Could you set up RSS feeds (would others be interested in having links to your content on their site?) Get linked on local business, media and education sites (Remember, your audience is local, not national)

7. Software Graphics: Photoshop Elements, PaintShopPro, PhotoImpact. Cheap software programs are available for < $100. Text/Code: Your provider may offer tools. Or, you can use Notepad, Word, Dreamweaver, any free/cheap HTML editor. Web Traffic: Your provider may offer tools. Cheap tool: WebLog expert Audio production: Check the built-in software on your computer. Check www.download.com for both free and commercial software

8. Useful Web Sites SHRM Chapter Directory, http://www.shrm.org/chapters (see what other chapters are doing) SHRM Demo Site, http://testch.shrm.org (read more about the Affiliate Website Program) BraveNet, http://www.bravenet.com/ (free web site tools) Blogger.com, http://www.blogger.com (free, easy-to-use tool for making and updating blogs) Real Producer, http://www.realnetworks.com/products/produce (free software for making Real audio/video files) Rapid Feeds, http://www.rapidfeeds.com (create your own RSS feeds for others to add to their web sites) Privacy Statement Generator, http://tinyurl.com/8pato

9. Think About Your Page Design Even the most basic page has design decisions Web users generally scan rather than read – text should be concise. Bullets help. Keep timely, important information “above the fold” (e.g., users should see info about an upcoming meeting without having to scroll down). Use graphics appropriately; don’t use them unless you can both crop and resize images. Remember: Web users are goal-driven: They are trying to find specific information.

10. General Web Site Tips Be realistic. If your web site is being maintained by a volunteer once every few weeks, don’t set up features that need constant updating, tweaking Identify your primary audience. Is it existing members or prospective ones? Member access. Are there features only members should see? If you use member logins, how will you update and communicate passwords? Keep privacy and anti-spam rules in mind – particularly if you’re in California. Promote, promote, promote Think of your web site as the launching point for your virtual activities…

11. More Technology Resources Disclaimer – The following resources are not supported or endorsed by SHRM… Read the fine print carefully, especially the Terms of Service and privacy policy!

12. Telephony Long distance on your pc through the Internet Skype ( www.skype.com ) Conference Calls www.freeconference.com Free to host, callers pay long-distance Free faxes www.tpc.int By e-mail or through the web

13. Discussion Groups, E-Lists Subscriber can choose “push” or “pull,” host can choose between different levels of moderation Yahoo groups: groups.yahoo.com Google groups: groups.google.com

14. Collaboration Sites Microsoft Sharepoint (hosted) Strong document management www.sharepointsite.com $40/mo, 50 users Yahoo Groups groups.yahoo.com Strong discussion management, free JotSpot www.jot.com Includes wiki, free for 5 users Basecamp www.basecamphq.com Strong project mgmt, free for 1 user

15. Surveys Zoomerang www.zoomerang.com Basic service free, fee for higher levels Survey Monkey www.surveymonkey.com Basic service free, $19.95/mo professional Survey tools can also be used for (no fee) event registration.

16. E-Newsletters, “Bulk” e-mail Know the CAN-SPAM act www.ftc.gov/spam Fines for violations are VERY expensive Hosted resources: www.groundspring.org $19.95/mo www.intellicontact.com $19.95/mo www.verticalresponse.com $.15/e-mail www.graphicmail.com $9.95/mo

17. Meeting/Event Management evite.com Good for free events New “Hot Spots” venue locator eventbrite.com Basic account is free No charge for free events Fee for credit card charges (2-3%)

18. Membership Management Microsoft Office (Excel, Access) Hosted Association Management System (AMS) netForum OnDemand $100/user/month MemberClicks $35/month Smaller scale Clubexpress.com .40/member/mo ($4.80/yr) Clubpoint.com .25/member/mo ($3.00/yr) Hosted Customer Relationship Mgmt (CRM) freecrm.com salesforce.com $995/yr for 5 users

19. Nonprofit Technology Resources N-TEN (Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network) www.nten.org Local groups in 20 cities (501 Tech Club) Online affinity groups, listserve Techsoup.org Articles, templates for selection criteria Message boards

20. More Resources A great overview of nonprofit hosted technology: www.compasspoint.org/assets/ 216_enonprofit.pdf

21. Now, let’s collaborate online…..What are your questions?