TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER

Transcription

1 TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER

2 Overview of PTA Communications Website Newsletter E-Blast Local/Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) Communication must be: Informative and Positive Timely Approved by PTA President and Principal, if required

3 WEBSITE - Key Components Understand your PTA goals Key pieces of your website: Information Dates Membership Volunteering On-line purchasing Ease of use for both users and future Technology Chairs Make it visual not too busy. Market your website! Keep it updated!! (use Newsletters and Meeting Minutes to update chair information and dates)

4 WEBSITE - Information/Content Mission/Goals President s Letter PTA Board (can include pictures) How to Join? Fundraising Programs Calendars Newsletters Forms (Membership, Directory, Kroger Share, etc.) Spirit Wear Any awards your PTA has earned Sponsors (pros and cons) Spirit Nights Reflections/Cultural Arts Bylaws (protected) Minutes & Financials (protect if deemed by Board) Include hotlinks to Texas PTA and National PTA

5 WEBSITE Information/Content Review other sites Many great sites available locally. Find them on Frisco Council of PTAs website: Review National PTA, Texas PTA Contact your local website chairs Contact Council

6 WEBSITE - Software Software Programs (some free, some not) Web Development: WebPTN, Parent Connect, My-PTA.org, Grassroots.org, School World (FISD), Googlesites, TeacherWeb, Membership Toolkit, DreamHost Easy to use: Blogspot (Phillips) or WordPress (Nichols) Volunteering: LotsaHelpingHands, MySignUp, Volunteer Spot, Google Docs, Sign Up Genius Blasting: Mail Chimp, Constant Contact Payment Processing: PayPal, MyPTA.org Square, PayPal Here Domain Names (some free, some not) Go Daddy, Network Solutions, others Part of your software package.org

7 WEBSITE - Software Ex. Of Mail Chimp Free Image on Allows users to unsubscribe Tracks opens, clicks Download addresses Very user friendly

8 WEBSITE Policies No formal policies in place for content use common sense Limit/restrict photos and personal info Volunteers must complete FISD background check National PTA requires PWD protection for Bylaws & Standing Rules Personal recommendation to PWD protect Minutes & Financials Recommend being a.org

9 WEBSITE Awards! Consult the Texas PTA Award Criteria Website: Quality Content (50%) Ease of Navigation (30%) Visual Appeal (20%)

10 WEBSITE - Tips Alias Accounts - Recommend using them! Examples: website@friscopta.org, newsletter@friscopta.org One-way versus Two-way Linked documents such as PDFs Uploaded files/docs should be read only. Best to have only pdf files. Create buy-in from your board. Links: Are you linked from your school s main page?

11 WEBSITE Frisco PTA Examples

12 WEBSITE Frisco PTA Examples

13 WEBSITE Frisco PTA Examples

14 Social Media Texas PTA s Social Media Policy can be found online: May need President s approval before posting. Be consistent: update often but not too much. Have a few monitors. Have only a few posters : Tech Chair, Membership Chair, Fundraising Chair, etc. Offer links within postings. Spread the word: include icons/logos on all outgoing materials and on website for parents to join.

15 Social Media Be civil, cordial and relevant Be inclusive for all groups Do not include documents intended for members only, such as bylaws, minutes and financials. Do not endorse, promote or solicit on behalf of a business, product or service Do not endorse a candidate or political party

16 Contact Information Marcy O Neill at Technology@friscopta.org Frisco ISD Council of PTAs: Technology Chair Hunt MS PTA: Membership Chair

17 NEWSLETTER FISD COUNCIL OF PTAs ROUNDTABLE

18 NEWSLETTERS Hard or Soft Copy? Hard copy requires earlier deadlines to allow for print time. Contact the FISD Print Center for pricing and order forms. Electronic is the GREEN way to go! Distribute PDF file via using Constant Contact, Mail Chimp, etc. to accommodate large distribution lists. Regardless of your method, always upload a copy to your PTA and/or school website.

19 NEWSLETTERS Distribution Determine your distribution schedule and establish a submission deadline for each issue. This date should allow you enough time to put the newsletter together and get approval from your president and principal (about a week). FRISCO COUNCIL OF PTA S NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION INFORMATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE PUBLICATION DATES PTA COUNCIL MEETING DATES FRI., SEPTEMBER 13, 2013 SEPTEMBER 16, 2013 SEPTEMBER 17, 2013 MON., OCTOBER 14, 2013 OCTOBER 21, 2013 OCTOBER 22, 2013 MON., JANUARY 13, 2014 JANUARY 20, 2014 JANUARY 21, 2014 MON., FEBRUARY 10, 2014 MARCH 17, 2014 MARCH 18, 2014 MON., May 12, 2014 MAY 19, 2014 MAY 20, 2014

20 NEWSLETTERS Distribution, continued Publicize the schedule to PTA board members, school staff and any other contributors. Announce the next submission deadline date at each PTA board meeting. A few days before the submission deadline (and often again on the deadline date itself), a reminder to all contributors. Proofread your newsletter carefully and have someone else read it if possible! Forward the completed document to your PTA president and principal for approval.

21 NEWSLETTERS Format Some PTAs are responsible for a newsletter that includes PTA and school news. Others do just the PTA. If your newsletter publicizes school news, that section might include: Principal s message Staff birthdays School-sponsored event information Counselor s article Nurse s article Librarian s article Specials Teachers articles (Computer, Art, P.E., Music) Special Education/Gifted and Talented features

22 NEWSLETTERS Format, continued Your PTA section should include: President s message Calendar of events Board and Committee articles (Membership, Programs, Volunteer opportunities, Room Parents, Spirit Store, Store Program/Community Partner, Fundraising updates, Book Fair, Cultural Arts, Environmental, etc.) Your PTA s web address and all related social media icons: list on every page!!!! Frisco Council of PTAs and Texas PTA news (include links to their websites)

23 NEWSLETTERS Content Consult the Texas PTA Award Criteria in order to be eligible for a newsletter award. Newsletter Quality Content (50%), Accessibility (30%), Effectiveness of Communication (20%)

24 NEWSLETTERS Software For creating the newsletter document: Microsoft Publisher Microsoft Word Adobe InDesign Others? For ing final PDF file to large distribution list: Constant Contact Mail Chimp Others?

25 NEWSLETTERS Tips Create a theme and use it consistently throughout the newsletter and from issue to issue (color scheme, font types, photo borders, headers/footers, etc.) Include photos and graphics whenever appropriate. They add interest and draw the reader in. IMPORTANT: Before printing photos of students, consult your school s list of children whose photos are not permitted to be published. Double-check various calendar sources (school office, school/pta website, board meeting minutes, article content that s been submitted) to make sure all events are mentioned and the newsletter calendar is complete.

26 NEWSLETTERS Tips, continued Include a Table of Contents on the first page for easy access to specific information. For electronic newsletters insert hyperlinks for s and websites whenever possible. Use alias addresses for board chairs.

27 Contact Information Athirai Baskaran at Frisco ISD Council of PTAs: Newsletter Chair