Houston Area Red Cross Upgrades Internet Presence With Schipul - The Web Marketing Company

HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwire - November 26, 2007) - The Greater Houston Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, which serves almost 6 million people in 16 counties, has launched its new Web site (www.houstonredcross.org) powered by Tendenci Web management software (www.tendenci.com). The Red Cross upgraded its Web site to better serve residents through improved communications and easier online registration for health and safety courses.

The new Houston Area Red Cross Web site was designed by Schipul - The Web Marketing Company (www.schipul.com), which develops the Tendenci software suite of applications and is a leading provider of Web marketing services that help clients manage and grow their organizations.

"This upgrade of the Houston Area Red Cross Web site makes it more user friendly so the public can easily access our programs and services," said Davis Henderson, Chapter chief executive officer. "From getting a list of needed items for a Disaster Supplies Kit to signing up for CPR or Babysitter Training Classes, our newly designed site is easy to navigate. It's also easy for our staff to update because of Schipul's Tendenci Content Management System (CMS). It has a user interface that doesn't require technology expertise, so Red Cross staff can add content and keep our Web site fresh and current."

Tendenci offers CMS on every page of the new Red Cross Web site, enabling the organization's multiple site administrators to update the site frequently without the inconvenience of going through a third-party Web site administrator.

The Greater Houston Red Cross responds to emergencies and helps people prepare for and prevent them. The Chapter provides four main services: disaster assistance, assistance to military personnel and their families, health and safety classes, and non-emergency medical transportation.

Its new Web site enables site visitors to make a donation, register and pay online for a wide range of health and safety courses, scan the online events calendar, subscribe to the e-newsletter and browse through its educational and instructional brochures. It showcases information about emergency preparedness, emergency response and volunteer opportunities, as well as providing details on health safety course offerings, such as First Aid, CPR and babysitting.

Visitors can also subscribe to receive updates through Really Simple Syndication (RSS), which is integrated throughout the new Houston Red Cross Web site. An online Red Cross store also makes it possible to purchase emergency preparedness supplies and other items directly on the Web.

"We are very proud to be associated with the American Red Cross and we take the responsibility that comes with this assignment very seriously," said Ed Schipul, founder of Schipul - The Web Marketing Company. "All organizations should be considering the role the Web can play in protecting their people and operations in times of emergency."

About Schipul - The Web Marketing Company

Schipul - The Web Marketing Company developed and builds on the Tendenci® association management application, which has more than 330,000 users worldwide. Schipul is based in Houston, and provides marketing services on the Internet to a variety of service industries in local, national and international markets. Schipul's clients include American Association of Dental Office Managers, National Pharmacy Technician Association, The Children's Fund, Wolff Companies and DPK Public Relations. Additional information about Schipul is available at www.schipul.com and www.tendenci.com.

Contact Information: MEDIA CONTACT Dan Keeney, APR DPK Public Relations 832-467-2904