Technology
help
Does your chapter lack a person who is incredibly tech-savvy? There
are many useful resources that can help create a Web site:
- Log in to your chapter's Google account at chapter.mortarboard.org to check e-mail, upload documents, and create and publish your own free Google site
- Microsoft FrontPage, Publisher and Word have templates that
can be used for site creation. You can download
a very basic sample page developed in Microsoft Word here.
- Many free Web hosting companies such as Yahoo! Geocities and Angelfire have programs that make it easy for users with
no prior Web knowledge to begin development.
- Your university’s technology or student organization
departments may have staff members that can assist you with
your site development.
- You can contact the Mortar
Board National Office for suggestions
and support.
Chapter Web site requirements:
- School name and link to school’s Web site
- Mortar Board’s name and link to the national Web
site
- Brief description of the national organization (Sample: Mortar
Board is a national honor society that recognizes college seniors
for excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership and
service. Mortar Board members are first-rate leaders,
selected from the tops of their classes. Since its establishment
in 1918, nearly a quarter of a million members have been initiated
at more than 200 chapters across the nation. Mortar Board
provides opportunities for continued leadership development,
promotes service to colleges and universities and encourages
lifelong contributions to the global community. Additionally,
Mortar Board offers numerous benefits and opportunities to
members, including career networking, fellowships and awards.)
- Local chapter name and history (If you don’t know when
your chapter was founded, a complete list can be found in the
Member Guide you received upon initiation.)
- Mortar Board ideals (scholarship, leadership and service) - you
should also include what your chapter does in each of these
areas
- Contact information - Use your chapter's nationally-provided general e-mail address
or list the president’s contact information so Web visitors
and potential members know who to contact. Don't know your chapter's e-mail address? Click here to find your e-mail address then view instructions on how to check your mortarboard.org e-mail.
Suggested chapter Web site additions:
- List of chapter officers and advisors (including contact
information)
- Mortar Board logo
- Chapter calendar of events
- Quotes or testimonials from active members
- Famous alumni
- Selection procedure (chapter’s minimum GPA criteria,
due dates for nomination forms or applications, orientation
and initiation dates, etc.)
Where can you host your site?
Many universities allow student organizations free Web site space,
so check with your student affairs or technology office to
see if your university has that option. In the future,
you may be able to host your site right here on www.mortarboard.org.
If you need other suggestions about where to host your site
or want to inquire about national hosting, consult the National
Office staff.
Online resources/tutorials
Former Section Coordinator James Lamberg has lent a hand by being a wonderful resource for technical questions regarding Web site development. For chapter use, he has created a few tutorial videos that may assist Web developers in creating online applications and more.
Learn by example with award-winning sites
Each year, Mortar Board honors outstanding chapter Web sites at the annual national conference. See some recent award-winning sites here:
Chapter e-mail addresses
Each chapter is provided with an "@mortarboard.org" e-mail address. Complete instructions on setting up and checking this e-mail address are available here.
Using Google applications with your Mortar Board account
- Google sites - Use this free application to quickly create and publish a site for your Mortar Board chapter
- Google docs - Help with chapter transition from year to year by uploading important documents, minutes and reports to pass onto subsequent chapter officers.
- Calendar - Subscribe to Mortar Board’s national calendar to see important deadlines and reminders, and store your chapter’s upcoming meetings, campuswide events and activities in one safe and easy-to-access place.
- Gmail - Use the advanced Gmail services for your Mortar Board e-mail address. You can collect membership applications, send out chapter minutes, contact potential members and do so much more with this nationally-provided e-mail address. More e-mail information is listed on the FAQ page.
- Google Talk - Call or send instant messages to your contacts, Mortar Board’s leaders, friends from the Mortar Board National Conference or more by downloading Google Talk or using the Google Talk Gadget.
Have technology questions?
Contact the Mortar Board National Office at 1-800-989-6266 ext. 106 or e-mail mbforum@mortarboard.org.
