Technology
help
Does your chapter lack a person who is tech-savvy? There
are many useful resources that can help create a website:
- 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.
- 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.
Make your chapter's Google site
Log in to your chapter's Google account at chapter.mortarboard.org to publish your own free Google site, where ownership can be transfered from one class to the next each year.
Chapter website requirements:
- School name and link to school’s website
- Mortar Board’s name and link to the national Web
site (http://www.mortarboard.org)
- Brief description of the national organization (Sample: Mortar Board is the premier national honor society recognizing college seniors for superior achievement in scholarship, leadership and service. Membership is synonymous with dedication and success. Only a select few students on each campus are invited to join this esteemed society – an honor naming them among the most amazing college scholar-leaders in the U.S. Since its establishment
in 1918, nearly a quarter of a million members have been initiated
at more than 200 chapters across the nation. Our Society provides its members with 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 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
- Mortar Board is a certified Association of College Honor Societies member - Mortar Board is a certified member of ACHS, affirming that selection into Mortar Board represent superior academic achievement. The Association of College Honor Societies is a visibly cohesive community of national and international honor societies, individually and collaboratively exhibiting excellence in scholarship, service, programs and governance. A coordinating agency for these societies in chartering chapters in accredited colleges and universities, the Association sets high priority in maintaining high standards, in defining the honor society movement, and in developing criteria for judging the credibility and legitimacy of honor societies.
- 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 website additions:
- List of chapter officers and advisors (including contact
information)
- Mortar Board logo
- ACHS logo
- Chapter calendar of events (Tip: use your chapter's Google calendar)
- Quotes or testimonials from active members
- Famous or well-known and accomplished alumni
- Selection procedure (chapter’s minimum GPA criteria,
due dates for nomination forms or applications, orientation
and initiation dates, etc.)
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.
Where can you host your site?
- You can host your site for free on Google sites using your Mortar Board chapter's login credentials. This will help with consistency for transfering site access from one Webmaster to the next.
- Many universities allow student organizations free website space. Check with your student affairs or technology office to
see if your university has that option.
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 website 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
In the past, Mortar Board has honored outstanding chapter websites 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.
Have technology questions?
Contact the Mortar Board National Office at 800-989-6266 ext. 106 or e-mail mbforum@mortarboard.org.
