The Diocesan Office and the Commission on Congregation Vitality have formed a Diocesan Website Team. The team’s purpose is to assist each congregation of the diocese to present a web-presence that is attractive, welcoming, containing essential information, and is managed by a member of the congregation.

To have an effective website requires one (preferably two) person committed to keeping the site updated. Our job is to make that as easy as possible with support when needed.

Resources

• General Expectation of Websites in the Diocese document. Use this list to make sure your website content includes all it should!
• Beginners Guide to Weebly online video. Gives a basic tutorial about how to use the Website Team's recommended website platform.

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Recommended Web
​Platform

Watch this video about Weebly

The Diocesan Website Team recommends congregations use Weebly.com as their web platform. This content management system provides convenience.

Why Weebly?

1. Simple, intuitive and easy to use for those who may not be as web savvy as others. Those who are more savvy are able to delve deeper including CSS and embedded html coding.
2. All inclusive drag and drop, what you see is what you get functionality.
3. Free (with limits on functions) or reasonable cost (added functionality).
4. Link to the Diocesan Office account and get direct support when needed.

​To get started, click here (with this link you can save 10% off Weebly plans if you subscribe).

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Project in Process: Congregational Websites

Step 1 - Census

The team’s first step was performing a census of each congregation’s web site to see what each had, which ones were current, which ones were intuitive, and which ones were mobile friendly. Some were rich and vibrant, others were simple but complete. Some were clearly managed on a regular basis, and others looked like they hadn’t been touched in a decade. This step was completed in September 2017.

Step 2 - Report

The team's second step is reporting to each congregation what was discovered in the census. The team has given each website a "light" rating. This will be completed by the end of January 2018.

• “Green light” means all is well, though some tweaks may be needed.Include name of “Helper” who can be contacted if assistance desired
• “Yellow light” means there is some help needed
• “Red light” means there are significant issues to be addressed.
• “Black light” means the congregation may not be able to provide the resources to maintain a web-presence, so the Diocesan Office may become the webmaster.

Step 3 - Support

Each congregation will be assigned a "helper" from the Website Team who is available to assist, answer questions or find answers to questions.  The “Helper” isn’t meant to do the work, but rather give the support needed to get the work done. Information will be provided about the diocesan recommended web platform, weebly.com.
 This step is currently in process.

Step 4 - Training

Stage 1
Provide a written checklist on General Expectation of Websites in the Diocese. (Complete, click on link)
Provide a video webinar with examples of General Expectation of Websites in the Diocese.  This step is currently in production.

Stage 2
Provide a webinar on how to implement the diocesan recommended web platform, Weebly.com. This step is currently in process.

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About the Team

Members of the Website team are Matthew Payne, Facilitator; David Skidmore, St. Luke’s, Sister Bay; the Rev. Chris Arnold, Trinity, Oshkosh; Martina Mims, St. Thomas, Menasha; Abby Webster, Holy Apostles, Oneida; Jon Whitford, Grace, Sheboygan. When we first met we learned we all had some good experience to add to the team, some technical expertise and some presentational expertise.