April 2007
Chapter members get up-to-date chapter information … and current weather report
Johnson-Sheridan County Chapter receives Web Site of the Month honors
Congratulations to the leaders of the Johnson-Sheridan County Chapter (Wyoming), especially to Lois Bell, chapter communications director and Web site administrator, whose site has been named Chapter Web Site of the Month for April.
Lois has developed a very welcoming site, pleasant to the eye and written well, with a good mix of pictures, captions and text. The site is full of good information about the chapter itself and about past and upcoming activities—including Care Abounds in Communities® and Care in Congregations®. And, as an extra fun treat for visiting the site, visitors can check the weather forecast.
The Web site provides the Johnson-Sheridan County Chapter an opportunity to provide many valuable services. Just ask Lois: "Our chapter uses the site to provide information to chapter members and congregational coordinators, communicate among the board, communicate with our regional representative, publish updates on the Thrivent Builds program in our community, communicate with other Lutheran chapters, promote Thrivent Financial, provide a link to our area Thrivent Financial representative, provide links to area Lutheran churches, and recognize the Care Abounds in Communities and Care in Congregations volunteer activities for the year."
Features that make this site a winner
- An excellent home page that starts by clearly showing the name of the chapter, followed by an article and related picture about the purpose of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, its chapters and the chapter Care programs.
- Links, with catchy headlines, to get visitors from the home page to information about activities.
- An up-to-date calendar for the current month on the home page, including chapter dates, holidays, and more.
- Instructions on the home page of whom to contact to post something on the site.
- A link to the area weather report at the bottom of the home page.
- Pictures from a Care Abounds in Communities activity, including a touching thank-you card from the recipients.
- Pictures and description of a successful Care in Congregations activity.
- Beautiful pictures of area landscapes, some of which have Bible passages as the caption.
- Pictures and contact information of the chapter leadership board.
- A well-designed page listing and showing the Lutheran congregations in the chapter.
- A page on Thrivent Builds.
- A page recognizing one of the chapter leaders who was honored by the community for her volunteer efforts and mentoring.
You can visit the site at www.lutheransonline.com/johnsonsheridancountychapter. Nice job, Lois!
More comments from Lois
Q. How did you get involved with working on the Web site?
A. Our regional Lutheran Community Services Team encourages each chapter to maintain a chapter Web site. I saw that Thrivent Financial has a template for chapters to create their sites, so I thought I'd see what was involved. I was delighted to see the template format so that all I needed to do to get started was type in text and download clipart. I received a digital camera for Christmas, so I have been enjoying learning how to download photos, etc.
Q. How easy or challenging is it to work on the Web site?
A. I discovered that the Web site was easy to do if you have some computer literacy. I love the template formats so that I didn't have to learn html language. The template format makes establishing and maintaining a chapter Web site so much easier. Having looked for volunteers to set up a Web site for another organization in which I'm involved (with no luck), I realize how involved Web site design is and what a gift this is from Thrivent Financial.
Q. Is it difficult and time consuming to keep the Web site up-to-date?
A. Once I set up the site, the amount of time to maintain it is really up to what my schedule and priorities are. Sometimes I spend several hours because I have the time and interest to "play" with the tools available; other times I am very busy and will update pertinent information in a short time. The maintenance of the Web site is flexible to my schedule.
Q. What are the benefits of your chapter Web site?
A. We are definitely working with a generation now that is "Internet savvy." Web sites are great for this Internet savvy audience. I love the efficiency and timeliness potential a Web site can provide. From my perspective, I love the ability to communicate that fits my busy schedule without having to go to the post office or spend time preparing mailings.
Q. Is it worth your time to maintain the chapter Web site?
A. I enjoy learning a new skill and the flexibility in maintaining the Web site. Taking and posting photos of volunteers in action from our congregations and communities is my favorite part!