General:

• Article Format: Articles and information submitted should be in .doc format (MS Word) or .xls format (MS Excel). Articles in .rtf (Rich Text Format) can be converted but there is sometimes a loss of information. If you have any other format, be sure to check with the webmaster prior to submitting the information.
• Font Type & Size: The web site uses Arial 10 pt, left justification,  and headings in bold.
• Length of Article:  Remember that the web site visitor id there to obtain information. Be sure that all pertinent data is available and they do not have to go to several pages to obtain the delivered message. 
• Spelling/Grammar: Spelling and grammar checking software should be used but not solely relied on.
• Email & Web Site Addresses:  should be listed next to the name. Do not imbed them in a hyperlink as they will not show on flyers and announcements. For the website, the webmaster will associate the hyperlink to the person or web site.
• Phone Numbers: should be represented as Home--H: (810) 532-7035  Business-B: (810) 532-7035   Fax--Fax: (810) 532-7035.

Information that you don’t have control over should not be placed on your site.  

• Provide a link to the Council Website Page. This would include Council Camporees, Council Training, Council Meetings, etc. You can comment about the event but don’t put it in the calendar or provide detail. You won’t always get the latest information so we don’t want the potential of different information being published.
• Use your website to explain the importance of the event, tell a little about it (no dates, no locations).

Site Publication:

• The objective is to publish the site every two weeks.
• Information does not have to be collected and then sent to the Webmaster. You can (and should) send it as soon as you have prepared it for publication.
• Get the contributors of the articles used to providing you the information in digitized format.

Calendars:

• When updating, start with what is on the website, remove, change, or add applicable dates and then send it for publication. Remember, the website does not have a restriction of two months. All the dates you have should be on the website.
• Council Events on Council Calendars, District Events on District Calendars. We will provide a link for the District Calendars to the Council Calendar and from the Council Calendar to the District Calendar. Don't place Council events on district calendars because you will:
  1. have to make a selection of which ones are important and once you start that, there is no end.
  2. you will inevitably end p placing a date on the district calendar that has been changed.

• If you have an event location, supply the detailed address so a map can be linked. It will be time efficient of you can get the location to the web team member handling map addressing before you submit it to the webmaster.

· Get the names email addresses and phone numbers for all the committee and event chairs published on the web site. This will provide contact with the person responsible for the event.

Placing articles on the website.

• If it’s worth an article it’s worth a flyer.
• The website can be used to register for events. Registration forms can be downloaded for snail mailing or entered on-line for emailing to the event chair. Provide lead time in the situation where you would want the registration form entered on line and emailed to the event chair.

Forms:

• One of the advantages of the website is to be able to maintain a library of current forms in a single location for use by all. It is the objective of the dacbsa.org site to be the repository for all Detroit Area Council forms.
  • each form should be clearly identified as to name & use
  • each form should contain a reference and a last revised date.
• The area for "recycled forms" on the website will contain "non-official" forms used by others and that they want to share with the council at large. While these are not official BSA forms, they may prove to be helpful in delivering the Scouting program.

After Publication

• Review your pages of responsibility for corrections. If any, notify the webmaster immediately.
• Contact the appropriate people in your area of responsibility, telling them what has been added to the site and how they can use the information to assist them in their job responsibilities. Copy the webmaster on all emails.
  • If you are a Council Coordinator - email the appropriate council employees.
  • If you are a Council Committee Coordinator -  email the council committee members.
  • If you are a District Coordinator - email the district committee members.

Webmaster notes:

· When I get an article that says for more info call Sam/Suzy/Fred/etc............as I regularly do, I always wonder why the writer doesn't put the information in the article so it gets on the website and they won't get a many calls? I guess some people just like to make-work for themselves.

Last reviewed 03/05/2007