Learn how to participate in Discussions on the Community Portal. 

The Discussions area of the portal allows users to converse and share information about important topics for the community.


NOTE- Based on your Community customization, some Portal features may not be available.  


Create Forums


Forums are used to create categories for discussions. 


NOTE- Based on your Community customization you may not be able to add new Forums, but you can add new Topics and comment on existing Topics. 


Step 1. Login to the Community Portal.


Step 2. Click the Discussions button on the left hand column. 



Step 3. Click the Add New link. 



Step 4. Complete the Add Forum window. 


  • Heading- Enter a title for the Forum.


  • Recipients- Select those who will have access to the Forum.


  • Public- Select to make the Forum available to all users. 


  • Group- Select to limit access to a Group of individuals.


  • NOTE- Selecting this option will open the Permissions Tab

  • . 

  • Choose Other- Select this option to limit access to multiple groups or individuals.


  • NOTE- Selecting this option will open the Permissions Tab. Highlight the Group or Members on the right and move to the Recipients window. 


  • Description- Enter a Description for the Forum.


  • Chronological Order- Check to display Forums in order based on most recently updated topics.


  • Status- Select the correct Status from the drop down menu. 


  • Open- This is the default and will allow the Forum to be visible to all participants.


  • Archived- This will archive a Forum that is no longer being used, such as a Forum dedicated to a particular event. Archived content can be viewed but is not open for further discussion. 


  • Closed- This will close the Forum to further discussion and is only viewable to Administrators. 



Step 5. Click the Save button to finalize, or the Save Add button to add additional Forums.



Add a New Topic to a Forum


Step 1. Login to the Community Portal. 


NOTE- Depending on the Status of the Forum, and Permissions granted, you may or may not have access to all Forums. 


Step 2.  Click the Discussions button on the left hand column. 



Step 3. Click the Forum you want to view.

 


Step 4. Click the Add New button.


Step 5. Complete the New Topic window. 


  • Subject- Enter a title for the Topic. 


  • Message- Enter the full message in the edit window.


  • Check all that apply- Check boxes for all options that apply to the Topic. 


  • Hide Content- Check to hide the Topic from view. 


  • Show at Top- Check to keep this Topic always at the top of the list. 


  • Lock Topic- Check to lock the Topic to further discussion. 


  • Status- Select the correct Status from the drop down menu. 


  • Open- This is the default and will allow the Forum to be visible to all participants.


  • Archived- This will archive a Forum that is no longer being used, such as a Forum dedicated to a particular event. Archived content can be viewed but is not open for further discussion. 


  • Closed- This will close the Forum to further discussion and is only viewable to Administrators. 


  • Upload- Upload photos or documents that relate to the Topic. 


Step 6. Click the Save button to finalize.