diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE/pull_request_element_template.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE/pull_request_element_template.md
deleted file mode 100644
index e85d857..0000000
--- a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE/pull_request_element_template.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,35 +0,0 @@
-Please remove any sensitive information (e.g., passwords, API keys) from your submission.
-Please fill in the details for all of the relevant items below.
-Thank you for taking the time to complete this PR.  It will be reviewed as soon as possible.
-
-## Element name
-Provide a proposed name for the lattice element.  This can be an abbreviation, and should be at most 1-2 words (e.g., Quadrupole).
-
-## Element description
-Provide a brief description of the lattice element.  Please include:
-- A clear and concise description of the element (1-2 sentences)
-- How the element is typically used (e.g., class of accelerator, beam dynamics purpose)
-
-## List of element parameters
-Provide a bulleted list of the element parameters.  For each parameter, include:
-- a short symbol to denote the parameter
-- type of the parameter (integer, float, array of float, etc.)
-- physical units of the parameter
-- a brief phrase describing the parameter
-
-## Physical model
-Provide a well-defined mathematical description of the element and its parameters.  This may include equations, figures, etc.  
-This description should completely specify the element in an unambiguous form, and may include one of the following:
-- equations describing the physical geometry
-- equations describing the electromagnetic fields
-- equations describing the dynamical transfer map
-
-## Alternative descriptions
-If applicable, provide a description of similar widely-used elements or alternative parameter sets.
-The purpose is to provide disambiguation and to provide criteria that may be used to aid in classification and grouping.
-
-## Additional information
-If applicable, please provide any additional information that may be relevant, such as:
-- Links to existing codes or implementations
-- Any relevant technical requirements or specifications
-- References to relevant publications or research
diff --git a/front_matter/pull_request_template.md b/.github/pull_request_template.md
similarity index 100%
rename from front_matter/pull_request_template.md
rename to .github/pull_request_template.md
diff --git a/front_matter/contributing.md b/front_matter/contributing.md
index bbbf0f6..7e40e2e 100644
--- a/front_matter/contributing.md
+++ b/front_matter/contributing.md
@@ -3,14 +3,26 @@
 Follow these steps **only once**:
 1. Go to https://github.com/campa-consortium/lattice-standard.
 
-2. Click the pulldown arrow next to `Fork`, click `Create a new fork`, and specify your GitHub username in the `Owner` field (e.g., "cemitch99").
+2. Click the pulldown arrow next to `Fork`, click `Create a new fork`, and specify your GitHub username in the `Owner` field (e.g., "username").
 
-3. Click `Code` to view and copy the URL of your fork 
-(e.g., https://github.com/cemitch99/lattice-standard.git)
+3. Go back to https://github.com/campa-consortium/lattice-standard, click `Code` > `SSH`, and copy the url of the repo:
+(e.g., git@github.com:campa-consortium/lattice-standard.git)
 
-4. On your local machine, from the terminal, clone your fork:
+The simpler option `Code` > `HTTPS` can be used if the user just want to look at the repo.  (This does not require a password setup.)
+
+5. On your local machine, from the terminal, clone the main repository:
+```
+git clone git@github.com:campa-consortium/lattice-standard.git
+```
+
+5. Rename what we just cloned:  call it "mainline":
+```
+git remote rename origin mainline
 ```
-git clone https://github.com/cemitch99/lattice-standard.git
+
+6.  Add your remote repository in order to track it locally:
+```
+git remote add username git@github.com:campa-consortium/lattice-standard.git
 ```
 
 Follow these steps **each time you submit a pull request**:
@@ -19,6 +31,12 @@ Follow these steps **each time you submit a pull request**:
 cd lattice-standard
 ```
 
+2. Make sure your local repository is up-to-date:
+```
+git checkout main
+git pull
+```
+
 2. Create a new branch with a descriptive name for the desired changes (e.g., "add_template"):
 ```
 git checkout -b add_template
@@ -39,9 +57,9 @@ git add pull_request_element_template.md
 git commit -m "Add element template."
 ```
 
-7. Push your changes to the remote repository:
+7. Push the changes to your fork:
 ```
-git push origin add_template
+git push -u username add_template
 ```
 
 8. Follow the link that is generated to open a new pull request on GitHub that includes these changes, e.g., go to  https://github.com/cemitch99/lattice-standard/pull/new/add_template.