Introduction

In this technology-dominated world today, anyone who is anyone has a web site. Professional sports teams, educational institutions, religious groups, entertainers, restaurants, hospitals, etc., you name it, and they all have a web presence. The Internet is an amazing resource, which has revolutionized our ability to distribute, and access information whenever and wherever we want. This article will discuss how your PTA can take full advantage of the Internet and all that it has to offer.

Why Does My Schools PTA Need a Web Site?

A web site, especially one that is designed well, can take care of two communication goals at the same time. It is an excellent resource and voice for your members, where they have the ability to find out the latest and greatest information about upcoming events, agendas for meetings, important and valuable news from your PTA and much more.

Councils and districts can distribute forms and information about due dates for events and programs. If your PTA distributes a newsletter, then distributing an online version alongside a printed version can save on paper, not to mention printing and postage costs. In addition, web sites do not have the physical limitations on how much content that you can publish that you have with a printed newsletter.

However, your web site is also accessible from anywhere in the world and from any web-enabled device, which means that it is a great way to promote your PTA to new people. Take full advantage of your web site to share the great and valuable things that your PTA does, and possible interest new members to join. A web site is also available 24/7 and can be updated any time, so you have the ability to keep it updated much easier than just a newsletter alone. There are also many other ways that you can use a web site to support your PTA.

What Do I Need To Have for a Web Site?

There are many things that you will need to have for a web site, but the following things will be necessary to start your web presence:

• Ask your school or school district if they have a web site, and if they have a domain which could provide hosting on their server for your PTA web site. If that is not an option, then you might need to budget an amount to purchase a domain name and/or web hosting.
• Content for your PTA web site. It is important that your content be relevant and reliable. Remember, you are trying to gain new membership, produce information that is resourceful and crucial to parents and update parents, teachers and students about topics that affect them - this is the voice for your teachers, parents and students.
• A reliable and knowledgeable web site designer. Do your research and find a web site designer which can convey your wishes and that can take your project seriously. Ask the right questions and make sure that the individual you hire does right by you.
• School graphics and media content. If your school has a mascot, school colors and other media like a school fight song then have it displayed on your PTA web site. School mascots, colors or theme music will help draw the students into the web site and help them to feel noticed.

Things To Remember When Planning a PTA Web Site

One thing to remember when planning your PTA web site is that a PTA web site is focused on content. Try to minimize as much as you can on the use of fancy graphics (flash heavy animation and graphics that are too large or complicated) and be sure that the content of the web site is allowed to shine.

Use standard, easy-to-read fonts and colors. When planning the web site, remember that less is more.

Link to your states PTA and to the National PTA, as well web sites for any council or district PTA groups.

The privacy of your officers is very important. Avoid publishing personal information such as addresses and phone numbers use the schools address and general phone number for this. The best way to handle e-mail addresses is to use a “mailto:” link instead of printing the persons full e-mail address.

Making Sure That The Web Site Stays Current

The webmaster’s position should be a full-time chairmanship. The webmaster should be responsible for soliciting and reminding board members to pass along news and other information to be posted on the web site. If you have a newsletter, you can often reuse those newsletter articles as website content. A webmaster who has a busy schedule should inform board members how often he/she is able to update and set deadlines for information to be received for a particular web site update.

One other option is to have the web site designer update the web site for your PTA on a monthly schedule for a small fee and often at a discounted cost. This will ensure that the web site stays updated on a regular schedule and by the person who designed it.

Conclusion

PTA web sites are a great way to communicate with parents, teachers and students about their child’s education, resources on children and programs to help children receive the best education that they can. Although it does require a bit of a transition and some investment, you quickly find that there are significant benefits to having a web site for your PTA and it will help you better connect with your members.