In order to attend these sessions, be sure to register for the conference at www.housingconference.org.

This week’s featured sessions are all about the Internet.  If you want to create or improve a web presence for your nonprofit organization, these sessions are for you! If you don’t know what the heck a web presence is, these sessions are for you! Even if you’re satisfied with your current web presence, the Cut Through the Online Noise session can help you save time and stay up-to-date on the websites that matter to you.

Tuesday April 27

How to Ruin Your Reputation on the Internet (Repeated: 8:30-10:00 am, 10:15-11:45 am)

Find out how the things you do – or don’t do – online might be hurting the reputation of your organization. Then learn how to create a more credible and useful web presence for your nonprofit. Topics will include updating, layout, fact-checking, and tone – but you can ask the experts anything. This interactive session is based on CEDAM Communications Intern Olivia Courant’s “How to Ruin Your Reputation on the Internet” blog series and features three of Lansing’s finest social media experts: Lisa Sommer, Michelle Smith, and Ari B. Adler.

Cut Through the Online Noise: Get Only the Information You Need with RSS (10:15-11:45 am)

Overwhelmed by the amount of content on the Internet? Did you know that there is an easy, free way to read updates to ALL your favorite websites and blogs (even Twitter accounts!) in one place? Come to this hands-on workshop to learn what a feed reader is and how it can change the way you work, helping you access your most important Internet resources efficiently and effectively. Volunteers will help you set up your own personal feed reader with the information you want to see. Contact Katie (johnson@cedamichigan.org) to reserve a computer, or bring your own laptop.

One-Hour Websites: Get the Website Your Nonprofit Needs Right Here, Right Now (Repeated: 1:45-3:15 pm, 3:30-5:00 pm)

In today’s world, if you don’t have a website, you are invisible. But how can you create a website when you don’t know HTML, you can’t afford expensive software, and you don’t have hours a week to spend updating it? If your small nonprofit needs a website but you don’t know where to start, start here. After helping you figure out your communications goals and website needs, expert volunteers will help you set up a free, easy-to-maintain Facebook fan page or WordPress site. You will walk out of this workshop with a working website for your organization. Contact Katie (johnson@cedamichigan.org) to reserve a computer, or bring your own laptop. You will also need to bring information and pictures for that you want to share on your new website (it’s best to email it to yourself or bring it on a USB stick).