Guidelines for Non-Profit Organizations

All nonprofit organizations in the Sacramento area are encouraged to have a profile and group page on Cafe Q.  Because only members can create groups, you can form your group in two ways:

• Create an organization profile page and then create your group from that page. An organization profile, using your group's email address,  will enable your organization to create its own group independent of any member and have messages forwarded to your present organization's email address. It also permits the group to have a blog and photo and video albums rather than using a member's.
• Have a member of your group create the group from his/her own profile. You should use this option only if your present organization does not have an organizational email address.
  

Some pointers on setting up your organization's profile:

• Click on the "Sign up" link in the upper right hand column.This will take you to the registration and profile forms.
  
• Use your organization's official email address for registration:
  
• Use your organization's logo for the required face pic. Preferably the image should be close to 183 px X 183px. (All photos are cropped and sized to 183px X 183px)  If your logo does not fit into a square easily, size it to a dimension that will fit and leave white space where necessary.
• On the profile's mandatory check lists, check "Group Profile" where it is available.
• In the text box "Tell us about yourself," describe your group and its services, activities, membership requirements, etc. and leave the other boxes blank. Questions left blank will not display on your profile
  

How to set up your non-profit group.

• Login using your organization's profile.
• Go to the groups page by clicking on "Groups" in the top menu.  Then click on "Create a New Group."
• Enter your group's name followed by "NPO."  This will enable users to seaarch for a list of all non-profit organizations.
• Upload your organization's logo or a suitable picture that will identify your group.  Remember that all images are cropped and sized to 183px X 183px. So the closer your are to these dimensions, the better off you will be.
• Cafe Q automatically gives you a group address.  Leave it as it is.
• Enter your groups's website, if you have one and the town in which your group is located.
• You can then select the features and privacy settings you want for your group.
• Then click on "Create Group" and your group will be formed and appear in the list of groups on the group home page.

After setting up your group:
After setting up your group, you will be able to design a simple web page with pictures and links  in the text box under the logo using simple HTML.  You may also send messages to all group members and invite persons to join your group. A good idea, is to create a discussion in the group forum entitled "Introductions" and invite new members to introduce themselves and tell others something about themselves and their interest in the group.