Creating a GroupWise template using .html file

Does anyone know of an easy way to create a message template in GroupWise 7 using an already existing .html file.  I've tried inserting the .html template into the body of an email and then saving as a .vew file but when I go to use it the .html tags are removed.  I've tried the route of hitting f11, inserting the .html file into the body of the email and sending it but users have to fill in the template questions and reply to the email.  Using GroupWise View Designer seems formidible.  Any cool ideas of a good workaround would be most appreciated.