How to create a blog post or event in chapters or groups

Members of chapters or groups can create different types of content in a group's area. The types of content available for groups are: blog postings, event, meeting notes, and pictures (images). The event notices will automatically appear in the main site calendar as well.

Also, each group member will automatically get an email anytime something (blog post, event, meeting notes, picture) is added to the group area. (Individuals can change this preference in their account settings.)

1. If you have not already, log in (under User Login in the lower left column). If you see your username instead of User Login in the left column, you are already logged-in. If you have not created an account for yourself, do so now (select, "Create New Account").
2. Go to the page for the chapter or special issue group where you would like to add a page. You'll find a list on our Chapters and Groups page. If you are not already a subscriber to that group or chapter, do so now (look for the subscribe link in the right column).
3. From the group's menu in the right column, select "create blog entry," "create event," "create meeting notes," or "create image."
4. Give your new page a title and fill-in all of the appropriate fields.
5. Select Preview to see what your post will look like. This is important, because an email will be sent to your fellow group members automatically in the next step. You'll want to get your content right before that email goes out.
6. Select Submit to submit your post. You can also make further edits and preview again. (Don't forget to conclude by clicking Submit, or your post will be lost.) After clicking Submit, you wil see your published content.
7. NOTE: If you are posting your content to a large chapter, it will take quite a while to return you to the finished page after you click the Submit button. For the largest chapters, the page will time out and give you an error message. Don't worry. Your content has been posted and emails are going out. Just check back on your chapter or group home page to confirm that your post is live. Don't resubmit your post, doing so will create a second identical page and result in duplicate emails being sent to everyone in your chapter. This issue will be fixed when we update our site in the second half of 2008.

Note: an email will be sent to your group members notifying them of your new post only the first time you click submit. If you go back and edit your post, no email will be sent when you click submit.