Elks.org Help

FAQ: Virtual Home Pages

• What is a Virtual Home Page?

  A Virtual Home Page (VHP) is a fast, simple, and inexpensive way to put your lodge on the Internet. Just submit a few simple online forms, and you'll have an effective web presence within the Grand Lodge web site.

  See for yourself with this example.

• Create/Edit News Story: Required Fields

  Authorized administrators can submit articles to be published on the Elks.Org web site. The following fields of information can be submitted:

  • Headline. A required field, your headline will be be displayed as a link to text of your news story.
  • Introduction. Optional but recommended, your introduction should be a brief, 1-3 sentence description of the story that you're submitting, much like the short intros you'd see in a magazine table of contents.
  • Story Text. The article itself. You can type your story directly into this form field, or "cut-and-paste" it into the field from another application. (Note that images are not supported at this time. If you need to post an image, contact the Elks.Org webmaster for assistance.)
  • Sort Order. Optional but recommened, the Sort Order will determine the order in which your stories will appear on the web site. Lower numbers will appear higher on the page.
  • External URL. Optional. This field can be used to link users to a story that appears outside of the Elks.Org web site. If you find a story of interest on the CNN web site, for example, you can place the address (or URL) of the web site in this field, and users clicking on your headline will be taken directly to the story. Note that external URLS must begin with "http://".
  • Post a Link. Select this option if you'd like a link to your story to appear on our "Local Lodge News" page, which is available to all lodges as well as members of the public. If you'd like the link to appear exclusively on the "Virtual Home Page" for your lodge, state or committee, select "Do NOT Post a Link" option.

• What kind of information can we post on our lodge Virtual Home Page?

  Each Virtual Home Page includes space for:

  • Lodge News. Post your newsletter on the Internet! With your Virtual Home Page, you can publish your news immediately - no more waiting for printers or the U.S. Post Office. Even better, your news will available to all of Elkdom - not just the folks on your mailing list.
  • Lodge Facilities. Do you have a lounge? Restaurant? RV hookups? Golf Course? Post your facilities on your Virtual Home Page and they'll become a part of our searchable database so traveling Elks can find the services they need when they're on the road.
  • Lodge Officers. Publish your lodge directory online. Each directory listing can (optionally) include a name, spouse, current office, past offices, address, telephone number, and email address.
  • Lodge Calendar. Lodge events can be posted in a familiar calendar format with a "hot-linked" detail screen where you can include a full description of the event, contact information, and lots more. Your members can even display a "printer-friendly" version to create a hard copy of your calendar.
  • Lodge Links. You can now post links to external web pages that feature additional information about your lodge, your programs, or your community.
  • Extra Pages. You can now customize your site with "extra" pages for topics like Lodge History, Lodge Location or any topic that's appropriate to your lodge. These pages will be included automatically in the menu of options that appear on the left side of your Virtual Home page.
  • Images. You can now upload up to thirty images for display on your Virtual Home Pages.
  • ENF Reports. A variety of reports from the Elks National Foundation are now available from within your Virtual Home Page. You don't have to do anything - the reports for your lodge are included and updated automatically by the Foundation!

• Who can update our Virtual Home Page?

  Virtual Home Pages can be updated by your Lodge Secretary or an authorized "Cyber-Assistant." Cyber-Assistant access is FREE, and Cyber-Assistants can be appointed online by your lodge secretary through the "STAFF" tab on the CLMS2Web Main Menu:

  http://www.elks.org/clms2web/manageUsers.cfm (CLMS2)

  Important: Cyber-Assistant appointments will not be accepted via postal mail, fax, or phone. All appointment must be submitted online.

  If you'd like to be appointed Cyber-Assistant of your lodge, be sure to register as a member of the Elks.Org web site if you haven't done so already.

• What's the difference between a regular web site and a "Virtual" Home Page?

  A Virtual Home Page is not as flexible as a regular home page but it's much easier to create and maintain. Although you won't be able to control the "look and feel" of your site, you'll be able to post information quickly and without any sort of programming expertise. If you can browse the Internet you're qualified to create a Virtual Home Page.

• Can I post graphics and photographs on my Virtual Home Page?

  Yes! Your lodge can upload images that can be easily "attached" to any of the pages on your Virtual Home Page.

• What if we already have a home page, or we're planning to create one?

  No problem. Submit the address of your "off-site" home page and a link will appear automatically on every one of your Virtual Home Pages.

• Is there any point in having both a regular and a Virtual Home Page?

  Yes. Information posted to your "Virtual Home Page" is included in a searchable database that can be accessed by members nationwide. Traveling Elks looking for a particular type of facility, for example, will be able to search the database for matching lodges in a given area. This type of feature is not available through regular web sites. All lodges are encouraged to develop a Virtual Home Page, even those that have an established home page elsewhere.

• Once I'm registered, how do I create my Virtual Home Page?

  Actually, Virtual Home Pages don't need to be created - they exist automatically for every lodge. To update your pages, simply select the EDIT VHP button on the left side of your Virtual Home Page. You'll be taken the the main editing area, where you'll find options for editing all of the pages on your site.

• Can I create a Virtual Home Page for my State Association?

  Yes. Virtual Home Pages are available for State Associations at no charge. Like the VHPs for local lodges, State Association Virtual Home Pages are easy to establish and maintain, and offer a wide range of features.

• Who can update the Virtual Home Page for our State Association?

  Your State President or State Association Chairman can appoint an Internet representative by mailing a letter of authorization on Association letterhead to:

  BPO Elks Internet Department
  2750 N. Lakeview Avenue
  Chicago, IL 60614
  

  State Association Virtual Home Pages are a FREE service of the Grand Lodge, so there are no access fees to submit.

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