Websites

We often receive inquiries as to what the requirements are for a chapter to publish their own website.
They are very simple and easy to comply with:

The site must be in good taste and create a positive image of your chapter and the organization.

Although you are not responsible for the content of linked sites, care should be exercised in deciding where to link.

No files (text, images, or sound) should be included unless you have created them or own the copyright.

Exceptions to this include those in the public domain or those used with permission. Permission is granted to chapters in good standing to download and use anything from the International website except those files listed in, or linked from the "Members Only" area.

We request, but do not require, a link back to the International website.
Please help us protect our name by including the "registered" character ® as above.

I don't have the slightest idea how to go about making a website for our chapter; how do I get started?

Webpages are written in html (hypertext markup language) which is basically a text file with special formatting to tell a browser how to display a page. It includes commands for text size, color, location, graphics and links among other things.
Once you learn html, pages can be edited with Notepad or any text editor.
An easier way is to obtain a program that will assist you to make webpages. MS Frontpage and Dreamweaver are popular ones.
Nvu is a free WYSIWYG application that even includes ftp for uploads.
The newer versions of Microsoft Word will save a page in html.
There are numerous programs available. Some are quite expensive, others are free.
(Notepad, Nvu and Microsoft Word are registered trade names.)

Good. Now I've got pages written, what do I do with them?

All webpages are located on a server so that they can be read by anyone that has access to the WorldWideWeb, the most popular Internet application after E-mail. After your website is written, the pages are uploaded from your harddrive to the server using your browser (http) or FTP (file transfer protocol). Chapter websites cannot be hosted on the International server, but we link to wherever it resides. This can be a site that charges under $10 a month or from your Internet Service Provider for free.
I can provide a full-service hosting account on one of my servers for Blue Knight members or chapters at a cost of $72.00 a year with domain name included.

There is a second option:
There are dozens of companies that provide free space for websites.
Many of them also have some sort of editor to assist people in designing and writing their pages.
Just type "free hosting" into your favorite search engine and you'll find numerous offers.

The disadvantage of free providers is that they pay for the space with advertisements so your site will have those annoying pop-ups or banner ads.

Just select one, sign up, hop in and play around.

If all else fails, one of our webmasters may be able to assist you:
Contact Mark Howard, WCC Secretary/Treasurer
Paul Croteau, Ontario VI for GLRC Chapters
Harry Shaw, VP England V

All chapters should have at least an informational homepage if not a complete website!
List your location, officers, contact information, etc.

Let the Webmaster know if I can help in any way and be sure to contact me with the url (address) when it is complete so that I can list your site and link it from our "Chapters" page.

Gil International Webmaster Gil.Mitchell (at) Gmail (dot) com

Here are some graphics you might want to use. Most browsers allow you to download with a right mouseclick.

International Logo