United Way of Aroostook launches new website

By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
    PRESQUE ISLE — The United Way of Aroostook’s website, www.unitedwayaroostook.org, has a new look and, for the first time, a link for people to donate online.
    “The Web address is the same, but the site has been redesigned,” said Claudia Stevens, executive director. “We went live with the improved site around Jan. 20 and have been training on it and learning how to work with it.”
    The new site, powered by OneEach Technologies, gives the local organization more control over what is posted and when.
    “OneEach Technologies, which is connected very closely to United Way Worldwide, already has all the branding in this program. It’s like a United Way standard template that you start with,” said Stevens. “Then you can add your own pictures, put your press releases on there, promote whatever events or activities are going on, information about our agencies, and so much more. The list is endless; whatever we want to put on there we can and have access to it.
    “Before we had to depend on someone else to post things to the site when it was convenient for them, and it’s very easy to put that on the back burner,” she said. “It doesn’t do you much good if what’s on your website is two years old. Now, right from our computer, we can upload and download things that we want on our site.”
    Stevens said an important component to the site is the ability for people to pledge online.
    “Using a credit card, people are able to make a contribution to United Way,” she said. “We’ve never had that capability before. With the younger generation, they want to do things instantly and be done with it, so we need to be prepared to deal with the future.”
    Both Stevens and Sharon Jackson, administrative assistant, have been trained on the new site.
    “There’s stress in learning how to use the program,” said Stevens, “but Sherry is really the one who has learned the program, resized and uploaded the pictures, etc. There’s a lot to it. It’s challenging and interesting and we’re learning all the time.
    “Our website now looks more professional and we’re brand compliant with United Way Worldwide,” she said. “We’re excited about it and encourage people to check it out.”