The Internet is becoming an increasingly important communications tool for everyoneGirl Scouts included. In order to present a clear picture of our organization, it is necessary for all service units and troops/groups to comply with some fundamental guidelines when developing a Web site. Following these guidelines will help establish a level of consistency and professionalism, strengthening the Girl Scout brand image, and ensuring that we're in compliance with legal requirements. These guidelines are intended as a general overview for Girl Scout Web site development.
Use of the Girl Scout Logo
The preferred version of the Girl Scout logo on a Web site is the horizontal logo with tagline. If space prohibits this design, use the vertical format logo with tagline.
In addition to the guidelines for use of the Girl Scout logo, there are a couple oriented just to the Web:
- Do not reproduce a bitmapped or otherwise distorted version of the logo.
- Do not use the logo as an icon or button.
- Do not make the logo flash, blink, or turn or change colors.
- Do not use the logo in a step-and-repeat "wallpaper" pattern.
Page Format
It is recommended that a design format be established for Web pages and that the logo be positioned and repeated uniformly on each page to maximize its impact and create a "running head" that will tie together all the pages of the site. If you have questions on how to do this, contact the council's graphic designer.
General Web Design Procedures
Your Web site should be attractive, informative, and kept current. The following tips will help you create a successful site.
- Keep diverting or unnecessary graphics to a minimum. The appearance of your Web pages should serve to enhance the delivery of information, not detract from it.
- Plain, light-colored backgrounds work best and make your information easier to read. Avoid patterned backgrounds.
- Large files (pictures and graphics) take longer to load; the wait time often distracts from the flow of your message. The optimum page size should not exceed 30K.
- Navigating your site should be kept easy and consistent for users.
- Too many links can be confusing—and potentially harmful (see legal guidelines). Check links you do maintain on a regular basis to make sure they work.
Legal Guidelines for Web Sites
All of the symbols owned by GSUSA are protected by trademarks and must be identified as such. The following copyright line should appear at the bottom of main menu pages, home pages, and utility pages:
Check to see whether drawings, photographs, or other graphics are copyrighted; you must obtain permission from the copyright owners before incorporating these images in your Web site. There are many copyright-free graphics available for free on the Web and on disk for purchase.
As with photos used for printed material, you must have a signed permission slip for those who appear in images on your site.
No name identity of girls or volunteers should be posted on the site. Do not publish troop/group meeting times and locations unless the site is access protected.
Links to other sites should be checked and monitored very carefully for material and/or advertising that may be unsafe or inappropriate for the visitors of your site.
Your site should not request names, addresses, e-mail addresses, or other information from people visiting it, nor should it automatically post messages that have not been carefully screened by a responsible adult.
Links to the council & GSUSA
Please include a link on your Web site to the council's site. Our address is www.girlscoutscv.org. We also recommend a link to GSUSA, which is www.girlscouts.org.
Would you like a link to your site from ours? The council will provide links to service unit Web sites that meet all of the above guidelines. Call the council's graphic designer for more information.
Other
Please remember the following when designing your site:
- The council's correct name is Girl Scout Council of St. Croix Valley, not St. Croix Valley Girl Scouts, etc.
- The correct name of the national organization is Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), not Girl Scouts of America or GSA.
- Always use Brownie Girl Scouts, Junior Girl Scouts, etc., not Brownies, Juniors, etc.
- Use Girl Scouting and Girl Scouts, not Scouting and Scouts
