Many schools have spaces on their web sites for their local PTA chapters or PTOs. At first glance, that seems like a swell idea. Why should you deal with all of the baggage that comes with running your own web site when it’s enough trouble just to keep it updated? Why pay for hosting or a URL? Why not let the school host it and submit your updates to the school’s web team?
The answer: letting your school host – and control – your group’s web presence may not be such a great bargain in the long run. Here are five reasons why maintaining your own web site is worth the trouble and (not very high) expense.
1. You don’t want to keep asking the school staff to make your updates.
Your school’s admin staff is harried and overworked as it is. They’re putting up links to school policy, teacher contact information, sports schedules, the school calendar, and an endless list of other content – and this is all in addition to their regular duties. Yes, you’re doing things to support the school: fundraising, volunteering, all of that. But it’s easier to maintain a cordial relationship with your school’s administration if you respect their time. Save it for the bigger requests, like asking for time in the schedule for an assembly.
2. You are in control of your own content.
It’s important to be able to make web site updates on your own schedule, not when your school staff can find a minute to squeeze you in (see #1).
There are also fewer chances of misunderstandings or editorial comments. Let’s be honest: there may be times when you and your administration do not see eye to eye on a subject. Also, the school adminsiatrtion may feel uncomfortable posting content that has to do with advocacy. It may represent an uncomfortable conflict for a principal to post information asking parents to, say, show up at a hearing with protest signs. Bottom line: Be in control of your message and avoid problems before they start.
3. Social media is a great way to communicate – but it’s not a substitute for a web page.
You may be wondering why you should bother with a web site if you have a Facebook group or an email distribution group. But your job is to invite people in from your school community as a whole, including neighbors. Your web site should serve as a central point for information on joining, volunteering, and donating. Upload meeting minutes and other important documents and provide transparency to your group. And don’t forget, a lot of people go online and don’t participate in Facebook. Don’t leave those people out.
4. It makes you look better and more organized.
To use marketing parlance, a web site is important to build your brand. Yep, you have a brand, all right. You make a better impression on prospective members and parents, not to mention potential donors. People feel better about joining and giving money to a group that seems to have its act together. And “branding” doesn’t mean a flashy design: it just means that you are presenting a coherent, consistent message.
5. You maintain yourself as a separate entity from the school.
Your group is a distinct entity from your school, your district, and your local board of education. You are there to work with your school and advocate for your school…but at the end of the day, you are not employees of the school and you are not run by the school. Sometimes families are confused about the role of the PTA (or PTO) in the school; it confuses the issue even more if you appear to be a branch of the school and not an independent organization.
Now you’re thinking: Okay, smarty pants. I’m convinced. Now what? Well, getting your own URL and hosting does not really have to be that painful. In a future posts I can talk about my own experience using WordPress. You’ll find that being in control of your message and content is worth the trouble – and hey, it doesn’t have to break the budget either!
The Fearless Volunteer 