5 Steps to Getting Started

This quick-start guide will help you learn the basics of this community. 

 

1. UPDATE YOUR PROFILE

We’ve used your information from our member database to complete the basic parts of your profile, but now it's time to complete your profile with education, job history, interests, and more. This helps other members find you and get conversations started. 

And don’t forget to upload your photo! This really adds to the community and helps others get to know you. 

If you check the box to be an Advocate, you will automatically be put in the group to be contacted for future media inquiries or legislative testimony.

Update Your Profile

 

2. JOIN COMMUNITIES

Ready to take a look around? Everyone is automatically a part of our Open Forum, but we have much more to offer. Go to Communities > All Communities to see all the possible communities available for you to join.

Request membership in the communities that interest you by clicking on the Join button. You’ll be prompted to specify how you want your messages from the community’s discussion group to be delivered to you (as-it-happens, daily, or no emails).

TIP: If you don’t see a “Join” button on a community, you either already belong or the community is private.
 
View Communities


3. ENGAGE IN DISCUSSIONS

One of the best ways to get connected is by participating in conversations! All communities feature integrated online discussion boards that allow you to engage with fellow members. 

Want to browse all discussions? Two options:
1. Go to Browse > All Discussions to see the discussions in all communities (not just the ones you are in).
2. Navigate into a community, then click Discussion to see the latest conversations.

Make sure to post in the "Introduce Yourself Please" discussion.

Want to start a new discussion? Two options:
1. Go to Post a Message and then choose the communities in which you want to post your message.
2. Navigate into a community, then click Discussion > Post-New Message. 

TIP: In any discussion, you can also add attachments, tag other members, or format the text.

Browse Discussions


4. MAKE CONNECTIONS

You can look for other members by name, company, or email address by using the Directory.

Once you’ve found the people you’re looking for you can view profiles, send messages or add them as contact directly from the search results page.

Access Member Directory 

5. ACCESS RESOURCES

When you’re in need of resources, documents, templates, and more, search in the Resource Libraries. Your peers may have already shared exactly what you’re looking for. 

Return the favor by uploading documents of your own, either directly to a community library or by including them in an attachment to your post. They all end up in the same place.

TIP: Like what you found? Take the time to rate and/or comment on the document to help others in the future.

Access Resources