In preparing my three presentations for the National Trust Main Street Center conference to be held in Chicago on March 1-4, 2009, I looked at probably 50 web sites from Main Street organizations around the country. I was interested in the ways they organize their sites, recruit volunteers, take donations and generally present information about their communities. Based on this unofficial survey, here are some the component parts that would create an exceptionally useful and helpful web site for any downtown or Main Street organization.
Background
This list is meant to help you identify a wide range of items to post to your web site so that it serves as the crucial information and communication tool for the organization. By driving all your online presence to your web site such as social media (Facebook or MySpace) as well as your blog (if you have one), the web site becomes the central repository for information about the organization. Your web site must be able to be updated in house on a regular basis so that visitors get the most up to date information.
• Home/intro page. Should contain most up to date news, information and event highlights, and lots of photos of people. The page should be easy to navigate with tabs or click throughs to get further into the site as noted below. This page could have links to Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn or other social networking sites, and your blog. If you have pod casts about downtown, have a click through from the home page to their location on your web site. If you want people to sign up for your mailing list, have a link from the homepage to the location for mailing list sign up on your web site.
• About us page. General information about your local program and a contact information for all committees, list of all board (and advisory board) and staff members, pages on basic introduction to Main Street and your structure and downtown organization chart, current vision and mission statements, IRS 990 form for current year and previous year, current work plan, any current strategic plan, annual reports since inception, link to Press Room for PDF of all newsletters. Could have a member sign in area here to include PDFs of all board, executive committee agendas and minutes as well as all committee meetings and agendas. If you are a municipal agency and must post all your minutes and agendas, this page would be the correct place to do so.
• Press room page. All press releases in PDF or click through format, any good recent articles from local paper about organization (reproduced with permission or link to the newspaper’s web site), downloadable photos for press to use (with credit line), how the press can reach you: phone, fax, cell, email addresses. All of your newsletters in PDF format since inception and/or the archive of all of the e-mail newsletters you send (if you do).
• Photo album pages. Photos of events (could be a click through to Fickr, Shutterfly or other photo sharing web site or click through to Facebook page with photo albums)
• Committee pages. One for each of the four committees, with lists of projects, work plan for current year and list of who to contact for each committee if someone is interested in volunteering.
• Event pages. Your larger events may merit their own web pages with more photos and descriptions. Perhaps put vendor contracts, sponsor packages on these pages that can be downloaded and sent back.
• Business directory, parking and downtown map page. Ideal if there is a click through from biz directory to individual biz (some towns do this only for paid members)
• Business/Property incentives page. This page should identify what incentives are available. Either with a click through to state and city web sites with applications and information, or brief overviews of each incentive and contact info and click through for applications and forms. Describe the process that the local Main Street organization uses to counsel applicants before submitting application, and explain the application process, fees (if any) and time lines.
• Guidelines/regulations page. Pages containing any regulations or controls in the downtown such as sign controls, design guidelines, historic preservation ordinance, and any local regulatory controls. These can be click through to local government web sites where these documents or information is located or reproduced on your web site. Include any information about how the local Main Street organization will help applicants to submit better proposals to these regulatory bodies.
• Donate NOW page or Member page. Include an application/donation form. This could either be a PDF to fill out and send or a click through to PayPal, Network for Good, Members on Main or any other entity to permit people to donate NOW on a secure page for taking credit cards for donations. Ideally you should be able to use the secure page to take any kind of payment, including co-op ad fees, vendor fees, sponsorships, and event and ticket sales.
• Volunteer pages. A list of short job descriptions for volunteer projects that need volunteers now. Also include a volunteer interest/application form which could be interactive or PDF they can fill out and send to the office. List all projects that can be done on-line exclusively rather than require one on one meetings.
• Available properties page. A list with photos of all vacancies and properties for sale with links to real estate broker or manager of the property
• Resources page. A list with links to other organizations and other resources people should know about.
• Mailing list sign up page. Tell people why they should sign up to get your e-mail newsletter or other special communications from your organization
• Privacy policy, copyright information, web master contact, web designer credit (at bottom of each page)
This list is by no means exhaustive; I would love to hear about how you use your web site to communicate about your local Main Street program.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Museums must act before House-Senate conference committee re Coburn Amendment
The passage of the Coburn Amendment late last week was a blow to museums across the country. In the press release below the American Association of Museums is urging individuals to contact their Senators and Representatives to alert them that museums have an economic impact and stimulate employment. Please use the links below to go to the AAM's web site to send emails to your Senators and Representatives. I have done so and gotten emails from Senator Specter within a day. Phone calls to the district office are more effective according to the Senator. The AAM web site also has phone numbers for every member of Congress. Thank you.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF MUSEUMS ACT NOW Museum Advocacy Update
Amendment Excluding Museums Passes Senate, 73-24 Tell Congress About Your Museum's Economic Impact!
During Senate consideration of the economic recovery legislation today, an amendment was passed prohibiting funds from going to museums, zoos, and aquariums. The amendment, offered by Sen. Tom Coburn (S. Amdt. No. 309), states, “ None of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used for any casino or other gambling establishment, aquariums, zoo, golf course, swimming pool, stadium, community park, museum, theater, art center and highway beautification project. ”
The amendment was adopted on a 73-24 vote. You can see how your Senators voted HERE .
Differences between the House and Senate versions of the economic stimulus legislation will have to be resolved in a House-Senate conference committee before the bill is submitted to the President.
“Congress needs to be reminded that museums are a vital part of our economy,” said AAM President Ford W. Bell. “It's time for us to make our case and I am calling on all museums to send their Members of Congress an Economic Impact Statement showing the ways in which their museum contributes to the economy.”
You can do this today by answering a few questions about your museum HERE , the information you provide will be automatically entered into letters that you can send to your Members of Congress.
Most Members of Congress do not realize that museums employ more than a quarter-million Americans, spend an estimated $14.5 billion annually, and rank among the top three family vacation destinations. Let them know about the local impact your museum has by contacting your U.S. Senators and Representative today!
Visit www.speakupformuseums.org for more information about AAM's advocacy for museums.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF MUSEUMS ACT NOW Museum Advocacy Update
Amendment Excluding Museums Passes Senate, 73-24 Tell Congress About Your Museum's Economic Impact!
During Senate consideration of the economic recovery legislation today, an amendment was passed prohibiting funds from going to museums, zoos, and aquariums. The amendment, offered by Sen. Tom Coburn (S. Amdt. No. 309), states, “ None of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used for any casino or other gambling establishment, aquariums, zoo, golf course, swimming pool, stadium, community park, museum, theater, art center and highway beautification project. ”
The amendment was adopted on a 73-24 vote. You can see how your Senators voted HERE .
Differences between the House and Senate versions of the economic stimulus legislation will have to be resolved in a House-Senate conference committee before the bill is submitted to the President.
“Congress needs to be reminded that museums are a vital part of our economy,” said AAM President Ford W. Bell. “It's time for us to make our case and I am calling on all museums to send their Members of Congress an Economic Impact Statement showing the ways in which their museum contributes to the economy.”
You can do this today by answering a few questions about your museum HERE , the information you provide will be automatically entered into letters that you can send to your Members of Congress.
Most Members of Congress do not realize that museums employ more than a quarter-million Americans, spend an estimated $14.5 billion annually, and rank among the top three family vacation destinations. Let them know about the local impact your museum has by contacting your U.S. Senators and Representative today!
Visit www.speakupformuseums.org for more information about AAM's advocacy for museums.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Urge your Senators to Vote NO on Coburn Amendment 175 TODAY!
Urge your Senators to vote NO on Coburn Amendment 175
The American Association of Museums and the New England Museum Association have sent urgent emails out to their broad membership mailing lists about the current Economic Stimulus package being devised in the Senate right now. Please take a few minutes to contact your Senator (the link below leads to the AAM web site) and call or send your Senator an email with the subject line—VOTE NO on Coburn Amendment 175. Our historic house museums and other museums need to be able to participate in the Stimulus bill. This amendment is misguided.
Thank you
Donna Ann Harris
You are receiving this message because you are a current or lapsed member of NEMA. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or spam folders), please add nema@tiac.net to your address book.
Dear Colleagues, Our apologies if you have already received the message below from the American Association of Museums or another organization. I received the news upon returning from a terrific Conference planning meeting at the Nashua Historical Society. I have confirmed with AAM that this amendment to the economic stimulus bill has not yet been offered, so please contact your senators to urge them to vote NO to the amendment. It is vital that the museum community responds loudly and clearly when support for the educational, community-building mission of museums is being undermined. Thank you for you for your consideration.
Kate Viens
Executive Director
Senate Amendment to Bar Museums From Any Economic Recovery Funds
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) has introduced an amendment to prohibit any funds in the economic stimulus bill from going to museums.
The language of the amendment, (Amendment No. 175, as filed) is, "None of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used for any casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf course, swimming pool, stadium, community park, museum, theater, arts center, or highway beautification project, including renovation, remodeling, construction, salaries, furniture, zero-gravity chairs, big screen televisions, beautification, rotating pastel lights, and dry heat saunas."
This amendment may be offered as early as Wednesday, February 4. Call your Senators TODAY and urge them to vote NO on the Coburn "Limitation of Funds Amendment No. 175."
To reach your Senators, call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for your Senators' offices. Please call today!
Click HERE to use your zip code to identify your legislators.
The American Association of Museums and the New England Museum Association have sent urgent emails out to their broad membership mailing lists about the current Economic Stimulus package being devised in the Senate right now. Please take a few minutes to contact your Senator (the link below leads to the AAM web site) and call or send your Senator an email with the subject line—VOTE NO on Coburn Amendment 175. Our historic house museums and other museums need to be able to participate in the Stimulus bill. This amendment is misguided.
Thank you
Donna Ann Harris
You are receiving this message because you are a current or lapsed member of NEMA. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or spam folders), please add nema@tiac.net to your address book.
Dear Colleagues, Our apologies if you have already received the message below from the American Association of Museums or another organization. I received the news upon returning from a terrific Conference planning meeting at the Nashua Historical Society. I have confirmed with AAM that this amendment to the economic stimulus bill has not yet been offered, so please contact your senators to urge them to vote NO to the amendment. It is vital that the museum community responds loudly and clearly when support for the educational, community-building mission of museums is being undermined. Thank you for you for your consideration.
Kate Viens
Executive Director
Senate Amendment to Bar Museums From Any Economic Recovery Funds
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) has introduced an amendment to prohibit any funds in the economic stimulus bill from going to museums.
The language of the amendment, (Amendment No. 175, as filed) is, "None of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used for any casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf course, swimming pool, stadium, community park, museum, theater, arts center, or highway beautification project, including renovation, remodeling, construction, salaries, furniture, zero-gravity chairs, big screen televisions, beautification, rotating pastel lights, and dry heat saunas."
This amendment may be offered as early as Wednesday, February 4. Call your Senators TODAY and urge them to vote NO on the Coburn "Limitation of Funds Amendment No. 175."
To reach your Senators, call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for your Senators' offices. Please call today!
Click HERE to use your zip code to identify your legislators.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Preservation Plan for Philadelphia report on focused conversations now available on line
Last year, Heritage Consulting Inc. was engaged to conduct a series of focus groups for the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia in their multi-year effort to develop a Preservation Plan for Philadelphia. The purpose of the Preservation Plan is to identify a vision for the future of preservation in the city and outline the means to get there. The Plan is being undertaken with the cooperation of the Philadelphia Historical Commission and Philadelphia City Planning Commission.
The focus groups were part of the initial stages of the research to identify how the stakeholders—preservation professionals, community groups, historic sites and museums, and advocates perceive preservation now and what it could be like in 20 years.
Stakeholder groups invited by the Preservation Alliance to participate were: architects and engineers, historical societies, historic district residents, community groups, Main Street organizations and commercial corridor organizations, community development corporations, African American historic sites, Design Advocacy Group members, preservation professionals and historic sites and house museums. Ten focused conversations were held in Philadelphia in mid August and late September 2008 and were attended by 69 people.
Stakeholders were asked to discuss their current involvement with preservation; the relative strengths and weaknesses of preservation in Philadelphia; any comments on their recent dealings with the Philadelphia Historical Commission; what incentives, policies or funding mechanisms are needed; and finally other people or groups that should be involved in the Preservation Plan. The discussions were led by Donna Ann Harris and had one to fourteen participants.
Each group’s concerns were summarized around the main themes or issues that were important to that group. The report contains unedited comments by group members to show the range of concerns expressed by participants. The report is dividing into two sections. The first part describes the major findings. The findings are issues and themes that came up repeatedly in the group discussions. The second section of this report contains summaries from the groups interviewed
The full report may be downloaded from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia at
http://www.preservationalliance.com/advocacy/currentissues.php#preserve
A second set of focus groups will occur this winter.
The focus groups were part of the initial stages of the research to identify how the stakeholders—preservation professionals, community groups, historic sites and museums, and advocates perceive preservation now and what it could be like in 20 years.
Stakeholder groups invited by the Preservation Alliance to participate were: architects and engineers, historical societies, historic district residents, community groups, Main Street organizations and commercial corridor organizations, community development corporations, African American historic sites, Design Advocacy Group members, preservation professionals and historic sites and house museums. Ten focused conversations were held in Philadelphia in mid August and late September 2008 and were attended by 69 people.
Stakeholders were asked to discuss their current involvement with preservation; the relative strengths and weaknesses of preservation in Philadelphia; any comments on their recent dealings with the Philadelphia Historical Commission; what incentives, policies or funding mechanisms are needed; and finally other people or groups that should be involved in the Preservation Plan. The discussions were led by Donna Ann Harris and had one to fourteen participants.
Each group’s concerns were summarized around the main themes or issues that were important to that group. The report contains unedited comments by group members to show the range of concerns expressed by participants. The report is dividing into two sections. The first part describes the major findings. The findings are issues and themes that came up repeatedly in the group discussions. The second section of this report contains summaries from the groups interviewed
The full report may be downloaded from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia at
http://www.preservationalliance.com/advocacy/currentissues.php#preserve
A second set of focus groups will occur this winter.
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