Encouraged by a member survey, the Page Society decides to revamp and enhance its Web site.

The Arthur Page Society has had a Web site for several years. But based on a survey of members late last year, no one was paying much attention to it. So it was decided to re-design the site to be more member-friendly. Those attending the Annual Conference got a sneak preview and a glimpse at what is still to come.

Marilyn Laurie, chair of the Technology Committee, described how the redesign project grew out of the membership survey. "You told us," Laurie said, "that you wanted access to a current membership directory, a PR calendar, information and news about members, access to member speeches and award-winning programs. You also said you wanted to be able to share ideas with other industry leaders and discuss issues. As you are about to see," she told the members at Charleston, "all that and more is being added to the Society's Web site."

Len Muscarella, whose firm, Interactive Media Associates, did the redesign, was on hand to talk about the potential of Web sites and to demonstrate some of the things that members would be seeing on the new Page Society site, http://www.awpagesociety.com.

"The Web has increased in importance for one simple reason," Muscarella said. "It's where everyone is these days."

"A Web site can be one of the most effective and efficient ways to communicate," he added. "It's fast, reliable, inexpensive and increasingly interactive." More and more corporations, he said, are using it to monitor emerging issues, set an agenda and organize coalitions. "More importantly, I think it can be used to shape the way an issue is viewed."

The new Web site that Muscarella demonstrated has two sections: one that is available to anyone and the other for members only, who will enter a user name and password to access the protected site.

The so-called guest area allows anyone who is interested in the Page Society or wants to learn more about it to visit the site. It contains much of the same kinds of content that was on the original Page Web site including a calendar of events and information about the National Awards program. Hypertext links will allow visitors to read the Journals for the Annual Conferences and Spring Semhnars.

On the members-only area, there will be the Arthur W. Page Society Newsletter, news releases, committee background, and an up-to-date member directory, complete with photos. One of the features of this directory is that you can click on the e-mail address and send a message to any member.

It was noted that the enhanced site is still a work-in-progress with new information and features coming online at a steady pace. For example, summaries of the deliberations at the Annual Conference were posted daily from Charleston. Still to come is a bulletin board service that will allow members to post and reply to messages and initiate issues-oriented discussions. An e-commerce section will allow members to sign up for conferences and other events.

Laurie urged members to help make further improvements to the site. "Let us know what you think and what will be most useful to you," she said.