Some of you may wonder what is involved in being NCAHU Technology Chair? Well, I’ve served in this position for a while. The main responsibilities can be grouped into five areas: 1) Websites, Email blasts, Events & Registration, Social Media, and Gmail accounts.
First, Websites are usually what members see the most. They are hosted on Wix.com. Over the years our websites have evolved from basic HTML code to more advanced mobile-friendly versions that include extra features like events and our Forum page. Websites include NCAHU.org, NCSymposium.org, and NCAHU Medicare Summit. These websites need regular maintenance in the form of access to the website and updates to pages like leadership, sponsors, awards, events, and especially the Forum section. During special events like Symposium and the NCAHU Medicare Summit, those websites need continuous updating on the agenda, sponsors, and bio pages and especially registration if required.
Second, are email blasts using Constant Contact. We still use this platform for email blasts by local chapters and NCAHU for special events. IIANC handles an email blast of our monthly NCAHU newsletter. Before an email blast is done, the email design and content must be created including the email body text, graphics, links, and email header. Next, we need an up-to-date email list from our NCAHU membership chair that contains names, email addresses, phone numbers, and chapters. In the past, I was creating a list for each chapter. Now that is handled at the local chapter level. Once the email is ready, it is scheduled for release. Constant Contact contains a long history of our news and events over several years.
Third, is events and registration. These can vary from just creating an event, to events with registration. Registration can be a simple RSVP with Zoom links, to full event registration with ticket purchases at different prices for members and non-members. Our current system with Wix.com enables us to send our event reminders, add-to-calendar, and see who has registered. Event registration can take some work to set up and monitor, especially during Symposium and our Medicare Summit.
Fourth, is social media. We have several NCAHU accounts, for example, a Facebook page and group, a LinkedIn page and group, and a Twitter account. Most are linked to our websites and emails. Posts on these sites are where I need to most help. Keeping track of all these can be daunting, but all are important to get our message out about our association and related events.
Finally, Gmail accounts. I created four Gmail accounts for our association: 1) President.ncahu@gmail.com; 2) Technology.ncahu@gmail.com; 3) Info.ncahu@gmail.com; NCPAC.ncahu@gmail.com. Each serves a specific function. For example, both President and Technology house the NCAHU file archives on their respective Google Drives. All NCAHU and NAHU photos taken over the years will be archived there as well on Google Photos. More importantly, they serve to maintain continuity for succession purposes. Over the years, most information has been lost due to use of private email addresses, lost passwords, and such. By using common email addresses we can pass them on from one person to another, we can maintain continuity.