Website Meeting Agenda

When I heard that the agenda for the upcoming Communications Committee meeting would be all about website issues I thought that it would be a good idea to put together an interactive agenda.  The agenda items below are primarily items that I am proposing to include on our congregation's website.  There is much that could be included on the website to make it a more interesting, interactive, and informative form of communication.  This would help to better serve the Bet Ha'am community, the greater Portland Jewish community, and serve as a better marketing tool for new and prospective members. 

Agenda Item #1 - Revise the Membership page

If you have not looked at the Membership page on the website in some time it is a good idea to look at it now.  Here is the link - Membership.  The information on the page is a weak representation of our congregation as it says very little.  It begins with a quote from "Gates of Prayer" which is no longer our prayer book.  If you were a prospective member reading this page would you have strong feelings about joining our congregation?  The task of revising this information is probably one for the Communication Committee or perhaps even the Executive Committee.  I would think that the page should include:

1.  A description and photos of our new building.

2.  A brief profile of Rabbi Dubinsky

3.  A richer/warmer description of the congregational activities at Bet Ha'am.

4.  A specific point of contact to set-up a meeting with Rabbi Dubinsky and a specific point of contact to discuss new member forms, guidelines, and dues. 

5.  Other - This might include a description of the religious school, a new member profile, and other relevant information.

Agenda Item #2 - Paypal payment capability on the Contributions page

I am proposing to add Paypal payment links to the Contributions page on the website.  This would allow for the option to contribute to the designated congregation funds by credit card.  The thought is that web savvy congregants would prefer to use an e-commerce payment option versus writing and mailing a check for their lifecycle donations.  The link would look something like this:

I have been told that Rabbi Dubinsky has voiced her opinion against accepting credit cards for member's dues.  The thinking I believe was that members putting their dues on a credit card could lead some to have more debt.  I am though only proposing to use Paypal for lifecycle donations to the funds on the Contributions page.  I think though that there are many like myself (those that pay most of their bills electronically, are comfortable shopping by credit card online, and think negatively about having to write a check) that would think favorably about using a credit card to make lifecycle contributions.  

There is though a cost to using Paypal or any other credit card merchant account.  This amounts to approximately 3% of the money contributed.  I would make it clear on the site that the congregation would net 97% of each contribution and request that each contribution add an addition 3% to each contribution. 

Note:  There might even be other payment options available with lower fees.  A number of other URJ congregation webmasters have been signing up with a Google payment option that is currently available without any fees being deducted.  Here is a link to look at the donation page for Temple Beth El in Spring Valley, NY - Temple Beth El.  

Agenda Item #3 - Video and other media on the website

There is a growing amount of video content on the internet.  This includes video with Jewish themes - religious, spiritual, or cultural - that is could be relevant to many in our congregation.  From time to time it would be useful to add this video content to the website to make it more interesting and increase the number and frequency that the Bet Ha'am community uses the website.  

There was some feedback from Rabbi Dubinsky that video content on the website should be limited to congregational video.  I do not believe that there is any congregational video and do not think that this content would be compelling enough to interest most users to check it out.  As such I respectfully differ with Rabbi Dubinsky's opinion.  I would admit that this content does not have a place on the website home page but can be included on the site in a respectful way. 

Click on these video links to see examples of what I think would be interesting on the website (most likely on News/Media pages on the site):      

Agenda Item #4 - Other

1.  I am looking into the possibility of integrating the weekly notice emails with the website and/or weblinks

2.  Are there any topics the committe might wish to discuss related to the JCA's recent demographic study?  The study did explore the level of awareness and participation in many different areas related to the Portland area Jewish community.  The results show that the level of participation and affiliation in the Jewish community here is low in relation with many of the other study areas around the country. 

3.  Suggestions?  Are there other matters that the other members of the committee feel should be added to the ongoing committee agenda?