Pre-requisite Activity: We included some quick tips in the Administrative Dashboard to help you get started. After you log into the blog, click My Account at the top right and make sure you complete the first five steps before adding your content.

Although the layout is pre-defined, material on most pages can be structured any way you want. Typography, images, graphics, and the order of the widgets in the right-nav panel can be organized as you wish. To learn more on how to customize the appearance through the administrative dashboard, go to the Online Help Forum at http://citizen.apps.gov/help/.

Typical information that could be presented on this page:

Blog Purpose and Goals

1. Include a “Welcome” statement to the blog community.*
2. Document the purpose and goals of the blog. You can use a narrative format or embed YouTube video** (or graphic) for the community to preview (keep at an executive level and very simple).
3. Figure out how you want your right navigation widgets to be displayed. Make sure you specify the order for each widget selected from the pre-defined list. This right-nav menu will appear on every page.
4. Add or select what content should be displayed for each widget activated on the right navigation (e.g., key activities and dates, etc.).

*Text can be pasted from your word-processing program, but it’s easiest if you use a simple text-editor or type directly in the pages.

**Include machine-readable scripts to comply with Section 508 regulations if you embed video, photos, or graphics.

NOTE: Administrators can use different “Short Codes” to embed video. For more information see: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/youtube-with-style/.

EXAMPLE: Go to http://citizen.apps.gov/help/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=85

Registration and Submission Process

Keep this simple. Briefly explain that each user needs to register and sign the Privacy Policy before engaging in the process. If you want to enforce a Terms of Participation Agreement, briefly explain that here and include content in the footer. [Sample content is already provided in the policy pages to help kick start your activity - review, edit, or delete the page].

In addition to requiring basic information such as name and email address, Administrators can use the Register Plus feature under Settings in the Administrative Dashboard to select a variety of pre-defined information fields, or to create additional custom fields.

Timeline

Provide a calendar of events or a timeline that outlines key activities or phases. You can add the Calendar widget to the right or left navigation to document events.