Chapter Website Content Management Guidelines Chapter Website Content Management Guidelines Page 1
Version Date Name of Author Summary of Changes Initial Draft 08/07/2013 D. Whitehouse Initial draft 0.1 09/30/2013 M. Hill Revised draft 1.0 12/13/2013 M. Hill Draft deliverable 1.0 12/31/2013 M. Hill Revised deliverable Page 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS... 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY... 4 ABOUT THIS GUIDE... 4 1. CONTENT OVERSIGHT... 5 1.1 ADHERENCE TO CORE SITE STRUCTURE... 5 2. CONTENT GUIDELINES... 6 2.1 WHAT IS COMPELLING CONTENT?... 6 2.2 CONTENT QUALITY... 6 2.3 CONTENT POLICIES... 6 3. DESIGN & BRANDING... 7 3.1 YOUR CHAPTER LOGO... 7 3.2 YOUR CHAPTER PHOTO... 7 4. PHOTO GUIDELINES... 8 4.1 PHOTOS OF PEOPLE... 8 4.2 CHAPTER EVENTS... 8 4.3 IMAGE FORMATS... 8 4.4 SIZING GUIDELINES... 8 5. CORE CHAPTER WEBSITE CONTENT STRUCTURE... 9 5.1 HOMEPAGE... 10 5.2 ABOUT THIS CHAPTER... 12 5.3 MEETINGS & EVENTS... 18 5.4 GET INVOLVED... 25 5.5 LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES... 30 5.6 NEWS... 35 5.7 CONTACT US... 41 6. APPENDIX A: TRAINING & SUPPORT RESOURCES... 43 Page 3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The CPCU Society is pleased to offer all Chapters a completely redesigned chapter website. This new platform will provide useful reference information about your chapter, including: Upcoming meetings and events An event registration system, allowing you to process payments with PayPal Information on how to get involved with your chapter Information on internships, local associations, and career tools to advance professional development News written by and for your chapter, including image galleries, and videos A simple and easy way to contact your chapter! An ability to promote your social media channels within your chapter website The means to share content across LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and more! About This Guide This guide is organized just like your chapter website, with detailed screenshots and explanations of the purpose of each page as well as useful tips to help you create effective content. At a minimum, we recommend you familiarize yourself with how to login to your chapter website, and the basics of creating and editing your site content. For additional training and help information, please see the training videos at: http://bit.ly/cpcusocietychaptervideotraining For the Webmaster Support Group, please visit: http://wwww.bit.ly/cpcusocietychapterwebsitesupportgroup Additional training resources can be found in Appendix A of this guide. Page 4
1. CONTENT OVERSIGHT The CPCU Society may make content recommendations to any portion of a chapter website to maintain a uniform appearance across all CPCU Society chapters. 1.1 Adherence to Core Site Structure For the initial migration and launch, all chapter websites are suggested to adhere to the current chapter website structure. The redesign effort was largely based on member input and feedback. Careful attention has been given to the existing site structures so as to ensure all chapters are able to best represent themselves and their members, while still maintaining a uniform message and consistent representation of the Society. TIP: Member Resources can help with questions about all chapter website content. Page 5
2. CONTENT GUIDELINES The following guidelines are intended to help you decide when to create and publish content. Your chapter website is a powerful tool, and will allow you to quickly create a variety of pages. 2.1 What is Compelling Content? Your chapter content should be timely and compelling to both chapter members, as well as potential members. Any meeting or event your chapter is associated with should always have a corresponding page within your site. Useful news items or blog posts about relevant industry information should be published and tagged accordingly, providing an engaging entry path into your site. Your homepage should always be a summary of the best or most relevant content you want to showcase. A combination of events, people and industry trends and insights should provide you with an ever-changing combination of compelling site content. 2.2 Content Quality Chapter website content should accurately represent the goals of the CPCU Society in conjunction with chapter goals and objectives. Your chapter website is your front door to the world, and is a powerful communication tool. Thoughtful, well-defined content will always be considered notably better than short, nondescript pages. 2.3 Content Policies The CPCU Society encourages you to monitor the ongoing effectiveness of chapter website content. TIP: Your chapter website reinforces your affiliation with the CPCU Society. Page 6
3. DESIGN & BRANDING 3.1 Your Chapter Logo Your chapter logo is a combination of the CPCU Society logo, and your full legal chapter name. This logo is designed and created by the Society. It appears at the top of all pages, as shown in figure 1 below. FIGURE 1 CHAPTER LOGO (BOSTON CHAPTER SHOWN) 3.2 Your Chapter Photo Your chapter photo appears on your homepage, and is intended as a design element and is unique to each chapter. If you have questions about what is an acceptable photo, please contact Member Resources. Your chapter photo must adhere to the following guidelines: 1. Use an image your chapter has taken, created, or owns the rights to use. 2. Image only. 3. Royalty-free image (royalty-free images can be found at: http://www.morguefile.com/) FIGURE 2 CHAPTER PHOTO (DAIRYLAND CHAPTER SHOWN) Page 7
4. PHOTO GUIDELINES In order to provide compelling and engaging chapter site content, use authorized photos of chapter leaders, members, and events. 4.1 Photos of People As a general rule, please respect the privacy of anyone whose photo appears on your chapter website. If you receive a request to remove an image, please try to be as thoughtful and respectful as possible. 4.2 Chapter Events When possible, try to take and use pictures from the actual chapter event. Pictures of speakers, events, or groups of people can show a member or potential member the value in your chapter. 4.3 Image Formats Your chapter website can display JPEG, JPG, PNG, and GIF images. For images that are not automatically resized, you may need to create, edit, or size these images before uploading them into your site. 4.4 Sizing Guidelines Your chapter website has been configured to automatically size images on all pages, as well as allow you to crop specific images, so as to maintain a consistent, uniform page appearance. When creating content, please adhere to the defined sizing requirements. All measurements are given in pixels, and include a width and height. TIP: Site visitors will be more compelled when they see a familiar face, or recognize a picture from a meeting or event. Page 8
5. CORE CHAPTER WEBSITE CONTENT STRUCTURE Your chapter website is made up of a combination of content types and pages that your chapter can manage. This guide will go into full detail for each available content type. A content type is defined as the variety of a page or category of information used to create a website. Each content type has a template to help create well formatted and interesting content. The site map below (Figure 3) lists every possible page you can publish on your site. Content can be categorized one of three ways: 1. Required items in blue are pages that are required. 2. Optional Items in white are optional. 3. Link to CPCU Society page is not editable, and is a hyperlink to the CPCU Society site. FIGURE 3 CHAPTER SITE MAP Page 9
Chapter Website Content Management Guidelines 5.1 Homepage Your chapter homepage is unique from all other pages on your site, and is the front door to your chapter. F IGURE 4 - C HAPTER H OMEPAGE (S AMPLE C HAPTER S HOWN ) Page 10
Why it benefits chapters 1. Establishes your chapter affiliation with the CPCU Society. 2. Reinforces consistency of the CPCU Society brand and visual identity. 3. Shows timely and relevant news, events, and chapter activity. 4. Reinforces the benefit of CPCU Society and chapter membership. Content you will find here 1. Homepage tout (carousel) of rotating content. 2. Chapter name and associated image. 3. Latest chapter or CPCU Society news feed. 4. Upcoming chapter events feed. 5. Chapter at a Glance. 6. Photo Galleries. 7. List of new chapter members (New Designees, Gamma Iota Sigma). Ways to make homepage content compelling 1. Update frequently. 2. Use photos from actual meetings or events. Be sure to use non-copyrighted photos if you are not sure. 3. Be brief but engaging. You can always link to a full article, event, etc. 4. Provide compelling calls to action Register Now, Join the Discussion, can be more engaging than a read more. 5. Don t hesitate to look at other chapters to get ideas of what types of things to post on the homepage. 6. Always keep your chapter member interests as a guiding principle for content. Would this be something beneficial to my chapter members? Would this help someone in a professional development capacity? If you knew nothing about your chapter, is there enough content to introduce your chapter and its purpose? TIP: Update your homepage to coincide with chapter activities. Page 11
5.2 About This Chapter About this Chapter provides useful information on your chapter leadership, leadership bios, and factual information a chapter member or potential member may find useful. You can use a variety of designs in your content and layout to make pages more effective. FIGURE 5 - ABOUT THIS CHAPTER (ARIZONA CHAPTER SHOWN) Why it benefits chapter members 1. Key information about your chapter. 2. Leadership bios and contact information (names, photos, email, phone number). 3. Awards your chapter has received, either from the Society or locally. Page 12
FIGURE 6 - ABOUT THIS CHAPTER (LEFT-HAND MENU) FIGURE 7 - LEADERSHIP PAGE SHOWING FULL BIO DESCRIPTIONS Page 13
FIGURE 8 - COMMITTEES PAGE SAMPLE (USING TEXT ONLY) Page 14
FIGURE 9 - COMMITTEES PAGE (USING PHOTOS AND BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS) Page 15
FIGURE 10 - AWARDS PAGE (USING IMAGE AND SMALL TEXT BLOCK) FIGURE 11 - CHAPTER AWARDS PAGE (USING A STORY ABOUT THE AWARD) Content you will find here 1. History 2. Leadership Officers & Directors Committees Page 16
3. Awards Past Presidents 4. Subchapters (if applicable, otherwise is not published) 5. Chapter Bylaws 6. Contact Us Ways to make content compelling 1. Tell a story with your pages. Chapter Awards can be a great opportunity to not only describe awards your chapter has received, but the programs behind these awards, including any connections to your chapter history or leadership. 2. Keep information up to date. 3. Provide links to other relevant areas of the site. 4. Keep leader bios and photos current. It may help members and potential members to associate a face with a name they have seen at a meeting or event. 5. Use award designations to promote chapter knowledge and resources. 6. Chapter bylaws are a great tool to establish credibility and adherence to core society articles of operation. 7. Contact Us should always be kept up to date with available contact information. TIP: Use the About This Chapter for factual information about your chapter. Page 17
5.3 Meetings & Events The Meetings & Events section contains all upcoming events, as well as an archive of previous chapter events. To reinforce your chapter s affiliation with the CPCU Society, links to Society events, as well as Continuing Professional Development are also part of this section. All photo galleries you create are part of the Meetings & Events section. Events are listed by date, with a summary of each upcoming event. If the event has registration enabled, the Register Now button will be shown. As shown in figure 12 below, chapter events always appear next to CPCU Society events. Each event you create can display a variety of useful information about the event, including: Overview, schedule, venue, categories, registration, speakers, sponsors, contact person, and materials. FIGURE 12 - MEETING & EVENTS (SHOWING CHAPTER, SOCIETY EVENTS) Page 18
FIGURE 13 - EVENT OVERVIEW FIGURE 14 - EVENT VENUE WITH EMBEDDED GOOGLE MAP Page 19
FIGURE 15 - EVENT REGISTRATION FIGURE 16 - EVENT SPEAKERS Page 20
FIGURE 17 - EVENT SPONSORS FIGURE 18 - EVENT MATERIALS Page 21
FIGURE 19 - PHOTO GALLERY (LIST OF ALL GALLERIES) Page 22
Chapter Website Content Management Guidelines FIGURE 20 - INDIVIDUAL PHOTO GALLERY (SHOWING TITLE, DESCRIPTION, LINK TO DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION) FIGURE 21 - VIEWING AN IMAGE FULL SIZE (AVAILABLE FOR ALL IMAGES) Page 23
Why it benefits chapter members 1. Provide detailed agendas for all meetings & events. 2. Provide interactive Google maps for all event venues. 3. Highlight speakers by adding a brief bio. 4. PayPal integration for all events, allowing for customizable event pricing and registration options. 5. Image galleries are an inviting, useful tool, and encourage member collaboration and sharing via social media. 6. Event materials (presentations, handouts, etc.) make event pages a useful resource. Content you will find here 1. All upcoming chapter meetings and events. 2. Event archives. 3. Photo galleries. Ways to make content compelling 1. Provide detailed event information (links to venues, speaker bios, restaurant menus), make events a compelling destination for chapter members as well as non-members who may be in attendance. 2. Always enter complete venue information, which will be displayed in a convenient Google map. 3. Use image galleries to provide an inviting and memorable snapshot of your event. A compelling image gallery might be something shared via social media. TIP: Keep member privacy in mind with photo galleries. Consider using photo releases if needed. Please accommodate requests to not take or use an event photo in a timely and reasonable manner. Page 24
Chapter Website Content Management Guidelines 5.4 Get Involved The Get Involved section is where you can encourage chapter members to actively get involved with your chapter, either through contribution of time, expertise, or other compelling networking opportunities. FIGURE 22 - GET INVOLVED PAGE Page 25
FIGURE 23 - CHAPTER BENEFITS PAGE (TEMPLATE COPY SHOWN) Page 26
FIGURE 24 - VOLUNTEER PAGE Page 27
FIGURE 25 - VOLUNTEER FORM Page 28
Why it benefits chapter members 1. Call to action to get involved with chapter activities. 2. Reinforce collaboration among chapter members for the benefit of others and participants. 3. Opportunity to reinforce the value of chapter membership. Content you will find here 1. Chapter Benefits. 2. Volunteer Form. 3. Link to Society membership. Ways to make content compelling 1. Provide an incentive to a potential member who may be researching why to join your chapter. 2. Diversify your networking opportunities and get involved with your local or regional community, including charitable work, volunteer, mentoring, or professional development. TIP: Be mindful of affiliation with organizations or interests so as to avoid any potential conflict(s) of interest. Page 29
5.5 Local Opportunities Local Opportunities is a resource for your chapter members to aid in career development by providing access to local associations your chapter may be affiliated with, internships, and job listings. In the figures below, different layout options are shown (same page, separate chapters). FIGURE 26 - LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES PAGE (TEXT ONLY) FIGURE 27 - LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES PAGE (IMAGES AND TEXT) Page 30
FIGURE 28 - LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS PAGE (TEXT LINKS AND DESCRIPTIONS) Page 31
FIGURE 29 - FIND A JOB PAGE (SHOWING ADDITIONAL TEXT BELOW JOB LINKS) Page 32
FIGURE 30 - CHAPTER JOB BOARD (CREATED WITHIN THE CHAPTER WEBSITE) Page 33
Why it benefits chapter members 1. Local resources that chapter members will use during the course of their jobs. 2. Professional development resources. 3. Job and internship listings to attract new and existing members that you manage directly from your chapter website. Content you will find here 1. Associations, companies, organizations that will benefit a members professional development or serve as a useful resource. 2. Job listings you can offer to member companies. 3. Internships and supporting content to reinforce your chapter website. Ways to make content compelling 1. Keep your list of local associations updated and relevant. 2. Add descriptions and URLs when possible. 3. Don t forget to unpublish or delete expired job postings. TIP: Highlight local resources with an occasional mention on your homepage or a welltimed news article. Page 34
5.6 News Your chapter News section should always be reserved for stories, announcements, press releases, white papers and other timely and relevant items that will benefit your chapter members. News articles have real-time commenting enabled, allowing logged in chapter members to share comments. In addition to news articles your chapter can create, your chapter website will automatically display a feed of New Designees as well as Gamma Iota Sigma members. Industry News is a global feed of industry news feeds, and is automatically updated. FIGURE 31 - NEWS PAGE (SHOWING LIST OF ALL NEWS ARTICLES) Page 35
FIGURE 32 - NEWS ARTICLE (SHOWING AUTHOR PHOTO, RECOMMENDED LINKS) Page 36
FIGURE 33 - NEW DESIGNEES PAGE Page 37
FIGURE 34 - GAMMA IOTA SIGMA PAGE Page 38
FIGURE 35 - INDUSTRY NEWS PAGE Page 39
Why it benefits chapter members 1. You can publish a news article to highlight timely chapter activities. 2. Show members the relevancy of being a CPCU Society member. 3. Write news stories in an engaging manner, encouraging feedback, and making your chapter site a focal point of engagement. Content you will find here 1. Timely news stories for chapter members. 2. Recognition of New Designees and Gamma Iota Sigma members. 3. Industry news feeds, as determined by the Society. Ways to make content compelling 1. Diversify your news content. Whitepapers and guest columnists can make your chapter news section a valued resource. 2. Actively manage your comments. 3. Publish news stories and link to them from the homepage carousel. TIP: You can set any site page to automatically publish at a future date OR unpublish after a specific date. Page 40
5.7 Contact Us Contact Us is part of the About This Chapter section, as well its own separate item in the navigation, and is intended to provide members a quick and convenient way to contact your chapter, and provide relevant mailing address, phone, or fax numbers. For site visitors who are not logged in, an anti-spam tool (called a Captcha) is used. Members who are logged in will have their name and email address pre-filled. FIGURE 36 - CONTACT US PAGE Page 41
Why it benefits chapter members 1. Establish trust that your chapter is a legitimate entity. 2. Show chapter members that you are accountable and want to hear from them. 3. Give members a way to contact you with questions or comments about anything on your site. Content you will find here 1. Brief welcome message for reasons to contact. 2. Chapter address. 3. Phone and fax numbers. Ways to make content compelling 1. Respond to all messages to your chapter in a timely manner. 2. Use frequent questions received via the form as the basis for new site content. TIP: Contact information promotes chapter trust. Page 42
6. APPENDIX A: TRAINING & SUPPORT RESOURCES Chapter support is provided to all chapter websites via Member Resources. Phone (800) 932-2728 Fax (610) 725-5969 Email MemberResources@Theinstitutes.org The CPCU Society Member Resource Center can aid members with the following General Inquiries Regarding Membership Status Dues Invoice Requests Website Technical Issues (e.g. Website Login Support and Access Privileges) Member Profile/Chapter Changes Registrations CPCU Society Chapter Video Training (YouTube) http://bit.ly/cpcusocietychaptervideotraining Chapter Website Support Group (Community site) http://wwww.bit.ly/cpcusocietychapterwebsitesupportgroup Chapter Website Management Page https://www.cpcusociety.org/chapters/resources-tools-chapter-officers/website-management Page 43