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The FASTEST way to get your garden club website launched: - The following instructions are for districts, councils, clubs, youth garden clubs, and horticulture societies.*
* Note: National, regional, and state not-for-profit garden/horticulture organizations may qualify for a complete free-standing website with free webmaster service. Contact Bryan Thomlison for information. As it states above, the information on this page is for districts, councils, local clubs, local youth garden clubs and local horticulture societies.)
Review the sites listed on the Free Websites page. Select one that you would like us to use as a model for your site. Feel free to tell us how you would like it modified. (Our contact information is shown at the bottom of this page.)
Provide us with the names for up to 15 pages. Typically, the 15 pages are the following ...- Introductory "splash page" or conventional Home page
- About Us
- Calendar of Events
- Special Event Flyer (This is usually formatted as a brochure that features an upcoming special event.)
- Programs
- Photo Album (see important note below regarding photos)
- Newsletter
- Links & Resources
- Forms (two pages for forms such as "scholarship application" or "event registration"; these can be "interactive" and printable)
- Members' Section (This is a "members only" section that is password protected so the public cannot view it. Often, clubs have 3 pages in this section:
- Club Directory (this roster usually appears on the Members' Section home page, so the two are really one)
- Meeting Minutes
- Bylaws
- Contact Us
Some clubs have different names for their pages, but most information falls into these general categories.
- TEXT: Type your information into an MS Word document. Use MS Word (not Wordperfect, not Publisher). You don't have to do all pages at one time. You can send us bits and pieces as you compile it. Make sure you type the information. Don't scan it into the document. If you scan it, we cannot edit it. After you type the information, format it the way you would like it to appear on your site: colors of text and text box background, font size, bold/unbold, italics/non-italics, justification, etc.). It doesn't have to be perfect; just give us an idea of what you are thinking so we don't have to guess. If you have each page laid out sort of like you want to see it on your website, we can convert the Word document to a Web page. Then you can tell us what fine tuning you would like to see in order to make it look like how you imagined it would be.
Feel free to send us documents such as newsletters, forms, flyers or brochures. Just make sure they are in an MS Word document, MS Notepad, or in pdf or jpg format. We will not handle documents that are in Publisher, Printshop, or other software. If you go down one creative path but don't like how it looks on the website, then all you have to do is send us the changes you would like us to make. You may ask us to update your site at any time, and any number of times (within reason; please don't drive us crazy!). Please proof read all documents prior to submitting them to us. It is your responsibility to ensure your document has correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. Of course, we will correct any errors or omissions that are drawn to our attention, but we cannot take the time to act as your personal editor. This is extremely important: Proof read the document prior to submission. REMEMBER: The better your creative direction, the better our work will reflect your vision.
- IMAGES: Send up to 12 images (logo, photos, other graphic devices) in "jpg" or "gif" format. Of course, most clubs have dozens, possibly hundreds of photos they would like on their website. Clubs that have more than a dozen images are asked to upload their photos to www.photobucket.com. We have no financial affiliation with photobucket.com but their site offers the functionality we need in order to handle your photos appropriately. Do not ask us to work with photos on any photo album site except photobucket.com. Up to a certain threshold, their site is free, but be sure you read their terms prior to using their site. They enable you to create several photo albums (one for each event or project) and to create slide shows with music accompaniment; even videos. It's truly amazing how creative you can be with your digital content ... and we can link it all to the website we build and maintain for you.
NOTE #1: Be sure to read their Terms & Conditions. NOTE #2: Do not upload copyrighted material without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. Do not sent copyrighted material to us for insertion on your website unless you have the prior written permission of the copyright holder.
FONTS: We offer a limited number of fonts. Prior to submitting your MS Word documents to us, please go to www.gardencentral.org/clubs/fonts You will find the fonts we offer. Select one or two for your site. Please do not ask us to use a font that is not shown on this font-selection page.
Finally, a word about our "partnership approach" to working with you ...
Because we are a not-for-profit community-development organization with a mission to help you, we do not see ourselves as your vendor. We see ourselves as your web-enabling "partner" -- in the co-operation sense, not the legal sense -- and as your partner we will work hand-in-hand with you to provide a website that makes you proud. If you are dissatisfied for any reason, you are under no obligation to continue with us. Similarly, if we feel you are not treating us fairly or with respect, we will discuss our concerns with you. If we feel the working relationship should be terminated, we will give you at least ninety days to find another provider. This latter situation has never occurred and we hope it never will. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions or concerns. Sincerely, Bryan Thomlison
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