Should we have a separate website?
(Text below written by Emily Rodrigues, Executive Director of ACBS)
There isn't a right answer to this question, but I can tell you a bit of what I've seen. I've seen it done very successfully, and I've seen it not done so well.
- It may be the right choice if you are operating in a language other than English, and you need the entire website in that language. It may work well if you really want/need your own URL for your own Domain Name. Other than that, I recommend using the ACBS website.
- Some of the problems I've seen come up, are that the first Board of a Chapter is really energized and someone is really good with websites. If they get tired or move on (which happens) the Chapter can be left with a website they can't manage, and it can become very expensive, very quickly, if you need to hire someone to manage the website.
- If you do have your own Chapter website, to the degree possible, I strongly suggest that you try not to duplicate sections of the ACBS website. (like the therapist referral directory). You can of course, but it takes a lot of ongoing effort to keep that going.
Every Chapter is given a page on the ACBS website upon creation. ACBS staff puts in some info to keep the page from being blank, but then we ENCOURAGE you to change the page. Let us know who needs access and staff can make it possible for multiple people to edit it. Keep some contact info on that main page, and make sure you only post public domain images, other than that, use it as a message board, or for whatever you like. All members have a link to THAT page via their dashboards.
If you have something that "I wish it was on the ACBS website" and your chapter is willing to put it together, make translations, etc., EMAIL THE ACBS STAFF. Talk to us, and let's see if we can figure out the best place to put your content and link it around the ACBS website (and back to your page of course) and make sure it remains accessible to as many as possible.