GBACH Website Tutorial 1 Table of Contents How to Login...Page 2 Homepage Navigation...Page 3 Upcoming Events...Page 4 My Event Signups..Page 5 Event Signups Page 6 Making Changes to an Event Sign-up Page 7 Navigating the Calendar...Page 8 Navigating the Calendar List Page 9 How to Submit a New Calendar Event...Page 10 How to Submit a New Sign-Up Calendar Event Page 12 Forum Messages (Email Communication) Page 13 How to Respond to a GBACH Email... Page 15 How to Respond to a GBACH Digest Email... Page 16 How to Ensure You Receive GBACH Emails.Page 17 Photo Gallery.Page 18 Internet Links.Page 19 Family Directory Page 20 Classifieds.Page 21 Edit My Profile Page 22 Family Websites Page 25
Login to GBACH Website www.gbach.org 2 To login to the GBACH website: Enter your username and password on the right hand side (large arrow), then click on the secure login button. If you would like to remain signed in for 2 weeks, check the Keep me signed in box. If you can t remember your login, then click on the bottom blue link (small arrow) and it will be sent to your email address on file. (If you can t remember the email address you listed when you registered, please email webmaster@gbach.org and we will be able to send you your login manually)
Homepage Navigation 3 The main set of navigation links are on the left-hand side of the homepage, after you have logged on to the site. You can navigate to any page on the website from here.
Upcoming Events 4 The Upcoming Events box (circled) will provide you with information on the next 5-7 events on the GBACH calendar. To find out more information about an event, click on the blue link. If sign-ups are available and you would like to sign-up, then click on the sign-up link. The More link at the bottom of the box will take you directly to the main calendar. If you would like to submit a field trip idea, or any other event you would like to add to the calendar, then click on the Submit New link at the bottom right of the box. (For more information on how to submit a calendar event, please go to the Submit New Event page in this tutorial).
My Event Signups 5 Circled is the My Event Signups box. Includes a list of the next five future events for which you have individually signed-up. To see a complete list of all the calendar events, both past and present, for which you have signed-up, click on the My Event Signups link (noted by the arrow) A popup window will open and you will be able to view all of your events, and any monies owed. Example of My Event Signups popup window:
Event Sign-ups 6 If you want to see the complete list of all the events you can sign-up for: Click on the More link in the My Event Signups box on the home page. The Calendar-Signups page will open (see example below). Page includes ALL available future sign-up events, to include both events you have signed-up for, and events that you have not signed-up for. PLEASE NOTE: Events listed on this page are only those which require you to sign-up. There are events on the calendar (such as Park Day and Mom Time) which do not require sign-ups, and will NOT be on this list. See the calendar for a complete list of all scheduled events. To sign-up for any of the listed events from the Calendar Signups page, just click on the event. A popup view will open, with a a link that says Click Here to Signup. Click on that link to sign-up for the event.
Making Changes to an Event Sign-Up 7 Map to Field Trip Location To make a change to an event you have signed-up for:? Click on the blue link of the event in the My Event Signups box on the home page (or from the Calendar Signups -- see page 5 in tutorial)? A pop-up window will open with all your details? If any of the information is incorrect, change it and click on the Save Changes button (circled)? To cancel, click on the drop-down menu next to status and select cancelled. Then click on Save Changes.? Any changes will be automatically sent to the event planner. You may also view a map to the location (and get directions) by clicking on the map to location link at the bottom. Selecting this link will open another window and link you to Yahoo! Maps.
Navigating the Calendar 8 1 5 2 3 4 The calendar lists all of GBACH s scheduled events: 1. To change the month, click on the drop-down menu and select the month you would like to view. 2. The legend provides the key to the types of events shown on the calendar. To filter the calendar to include only a particular category, click on the up or down arrows to find it, and click on the category you would like to see 3. Then click the Go button. 4. To find out more about an event, and to sign-up (if possible), click on the event. A pop-up window will open with the details. 5. If you would prefer to see the month s events in list form, click on the drop-down menu next to view and select List. (See next page for details)
Navigating the Calendar List 9 Navigating the calendar in list view, is the same as navigating the calendar (detailed on page 8). If you would like to get a printable calendar list with all details, and be able to select a custom range of dates, click on the Printable Calendar with all details link. A pop-up window will open (see example below). Please note, however, you will not be able to sign-up for events from this page.
How to Submit a New Calendar Event 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 After clicking on the Submit New Event link on either the home page or the calendar page, the Calendar - New page will open. To submit your event: 1. Pick category by clicking on drop down arrow, use mouse to highlight proper category, and click again. 2. Enter event title. 3. Select event date. 4. DO NOT give the date any description 5. Pick begin and end times. 6. Enter any additional information about the event that you would want people to know. The editing tools directly above the text box are similar to Word.
How to Submit a New Calendar Event (cont.) 11 7 8 9 10 11 7. Pick a location from the drop-down menu. (If your location is not listed, click the New Location button. You will be able to enter the location information in a new pop-up window which will open. After you fill out the form, click Submit. ) 8. OPTIONAL: If you have any additional information you would like to add about the location, enter it here. 9. OPTIONAL: If there is a file (such as a picture, word document, etc) that you would like to include about your event, click the Browse button and select the file s location on your computer. 10. Select a Recurrence option for your event. For most events, this will be None. However, if you are setting up an event which will recur periodically, select the proper recurrence button. If you select a recurrence, you must add a Recurrence Ending Date. 11. If people are going to sign-up for your event, select the Sign Up box (and see next page for details). If not, click the Submit New Event button.
12 How to Submit a New Sign Up Calendar Event 1. Fill in your email address 2 1 2. Include any information you would like to provide to the person signing up for the event. 3 3. Fill in the maximum allowed number of people to sign-up (if necessary) 4. Include price information here. This choice will be visible when the person signs up for the event. 5. If this box is selected, the sign-up list will be visible to anyone signing up for the event. 6 5 8 4 7 9 6. If you would like to allow a waiting list to be made in case the number of people signing up exceeds the max number allowed, check this box. 7. Include any information you would like to provide to the person who has been placed on the waiting list. For example, You will be contacted if there are any cancellations. 8. Enter the deadline date for people to sign-up for the event. Sign-ups will be closed after that point. 10 9. If you would like to have a reminder email sent prior to the event, click on the dropdown menu to select the number of days. Then add information that you would want to be included in the reminder email. 10. CLICK Submit New Event
Forum Messages (Email Communication) 13 The forum page lists all the major categories of messages. These include all the messages from the group that you may have received via email To make any changes to the emails you receive from the forum, click on Edit My Forum Preferences To post a new message, click on New Thread (see next page) To view any particular messages, click on a category link (circled) Once you have clicked on a category link, a new page will open (see below). From that page, you will be able to see all the messages sent out on a variety of topics, sorted by the latest updated date. To search the messages, enter your search term in the box and click the Search button. To read a message thread (group of messages on a particular topic), click on the title of the thread.
Forum Messages (Email Communication) 14 If you would like to respond or add a comment to a message thread from within the forum, click on the Post a message to the thread link. How to Post a Message (Either New or a Response) After clicking on either the New Thread or Post a Message to The Thread links, a new window will open (see example left). If this is a new thread, please choose the appropriate category and title of the message. Type your message in the text box. (The editing tools are similar to Microsoft Word). If you have an attachment, click on the Browse button and select the file from your computer. If you have more than one attachment, click the Add Another Attachment link When you are done, click the Add button (circled). Your message will be sent out to the group.
How to Respond to a GBACH Email 15 When you receive an immediate message from a GBACH member, it will look similar to the example above. If you want to respond to just the person who posted the email, click your Reply button (top arrow), and a response will go to only that person. If you want your response to go to the whole group, you must click on the Post a new message to this thread link at the bottom of the email (circled) You will be taken directly to the website If you are not already logged in, you will first need to logon. You will then be sent directly to the appropriate thread so you may add your response. Compose your message per the instructions on page 14.
How to Respond to a Digest Email 16 If you choose to receive the forum messages as a daily digest that comes only once a day, the message will look similar to the one above. Do not reply to these messages using the Reply button of your email. It will not go to the proper person. If you would like to respond to a message, click on one of the blue links under the main text of the message: To only respond to the person who wrote the message, click on Reply directly to sender (circled). To respond to the message and have it go to the entire group, click on Post a new message (boxed). You will be directed to the message on the website.
How to Ensure You Receive GBACH Emails 17 Since the website sends out a large number of emails to a large number of people, you will need to complete a couple of steps in order to ensure that you receive the emails (without them being sent to your spam folder by your email provider): Add the name lifeline@homeschool-life.com to your contacts folder or email address book. This is VERY important and the only way that you can be sure that none of your emails from Sonshine end up in your spam folder. If you use Outlook, Outlook Express or Windows Mail to check email, you still need to add lifeline@homeschool-life.com to your web mail contacts or address book. Make sure that you never mark the email received from GBACH as spam. If you feel that you are receiving too many emails from GBACH, then you need to update your email preferences in the Update Your Profile section of the website. If you have any problems, please do not hesitate to contact the website administrator at webmaster@gbach.org.
Photo Gallery 18 To view the photo gallery, click on the Photo Gallery link from the home page. A new page will open. Select a category of photos you would like to view and click on the link. Thumbnails of all the photos in that album will open. If you would like to view a close-up of one photo, click on that photo. To submit a new photo to be included on the website: Click on Submit New Photo (circled). A new page will open. Select an album from the drop-down menu Give a name for the photo Click the Browse button to select your photo from your computer Add a description if you would like Click the Submit button. Your photo submission will be sent to the administrator for approval.
Internet Links 19 To view the page of internet links, click on the Links link from the home page. A new page will open. The Links page lists several different websites which may be ofinterest. To go to a particular website, click on the underlined, blue link of the website you would like to view. A separate window will open to that website. If you would like to submit a link to a website which may interest the group, click on the Submit New Link link at the top of the page (circled). A new page will open. Fill out the title of the website Select which section it belongs to from the drop-down list Add the website address Provide a description of the website Click the Submit button. Your request will be sent to the administrator for approval.
Family Directory 20 The online family directory provides you with the ability to find families you may need to contact, if they have opted to be included in the directory. The list defaults to a sort which lists families by section (high school, middle school, elementary or preschool) and then alphabetically. To change the way the list is sorted, click on the drop-down menu To find a particular family, enter the first letter of their last name in the circled box and click go. To see information about a family s children (such as their names and ages), click on the icon to the right of the family s information. To directly send an email to a family, click on the blue email address link. Your email will open in a new window and you can then compose and send an email to them directly. You may also print the online directory by click on the Click here to print the online directory link. A new page will open: Select which categories you would like to be included in your printout by clicking the boxes. Click the Print Online Directory button. A new window will open with the directory information. Select how you would like the list sorted (by section or family) Click the Print icon button Be sure to select landscape when you print for best results. Click on Preferences when the print window opens, and click the Landscape button. Then click OK. Then click the Print button
Classifieds 21 The classified page is a place to look for items other members are selling. To view the items, click on the Classifieds link from the home page. You can search for an item, or just look at the listings. The classifieds are also a great place to post items you have for sale. It can be curriculum or anything else that you think people in the group may be interested in buying. It is very easy to post an item for sale: Click the Add link (circled). A new page will open. Add a Title. Select a section by clicking on the dropdown list List the cost List your name (or another contact name) List your phone number (optional). Click the Browse button to select a photo of your item from your computer. Add a description of your item in the text box. Click the Add button
Edit My Profile 22 If you need to make changes to your membership information, or the information found in the family directory, click on the Edit My Profile link from the homepage. Fill out the requested information If you have more than two children, click on the Add Another link to fill out their information If you would like to keep your children s information private, deselect the box next to Show Children Info to Other Families.
Edit My Profile (cont.) 23 1 1. Check the boxes which apply to your children 2. Select a user name and password 2 3. Fill out additional information about your family (optional) 3 4. Choose whether you would like to receive the weekly email update from Sonshine. This includes information on upcoming events, and any changes to the website. 5. Select whether you want your family s information included in the directory. 4 6. Select whether you would like to receive email messages from the group forum. 6 5 7 7. If you would like to receive the emails immediately, as they are posted, select yes. If not, select no. 8. If you would rather receive the emails once a day as part of a digest, select yes. If not, select no. 9. Choose which categories you would like to receive emails about. 8 10. If you would like to receive notifications about items for sale immediately, select yes. 9 11. If you would rather receive notifications about items for sale only once a day, select yes. 10 11
Edit My Profile (cont.) 24 12 13 12. These tools are for your family website. If you would make a family website, check the box. If you would like to have a photo gallery or other links on your family website, click those boxes as well. 13. Select the user name and password that you will then give to friends and family to enable them access to your family website 14. If you would like to add information to the homepage of your family website, enter it in the text box. 14 15 15. Add your cell phone number (optional). This is very nice to have for field trips 16. Click the Update button to save all your changes. 16
Family Websites 25 If you would like to edit your family website, you must first click the Edit My Profile link from the homepage. Once on the Edit My Profile page, click on the Click here to edit your family website link (circled). A new page will open. Click on the blue link of the area of your homepage you would like to edit:
Family Websites (cont.) 26 To include a photo on the homepage of your family website, click the Browse button and select your photo from your computer. Choose whether you would like the photo to appear large or small. Add a description of either your photo or something you would like people to read on your homepage in the text box. Click the Update button.
Family Websites (cont.) 27 To add a Links section to your website, click on Links from the Edit Family Web Site page (see tutorial page 27). Click on Add Link (circled). A new page will open. Add the title of your internet link. Add the URL of the link Add a description of the website you are linking to. Click the Add button (boxed).
Family Websites (cont.) 28 To add a Photo Gallery section to your website, click on Photo Gallery from the Edit Family Web Site page (see tutorial page 27). Photos added to your Family Website are private and are only accessed by those people whom you give your Family Website username and password. Click on Add Album (circled). A new page will open. Fill out the album title, overview, and date of your album. Click the Add button. To add photos to an album you just created, click on the Photos link of the album. A new page will open. Click on the Add photo Gallery Item link at the top of the album. (All the photos currently in the album are listed below that link.)
Family Websites (cont.) 29 Fill out the title of the photo you are going to add Click the Browse button to select the photo from your computer. If you like, add a description of the photo. Click the Add button. After adding photos to your album, you can change the order of the photos in your album by clicking on the Up or Down links next to the photo. You can edit the information or description of the photo by clicking the Update link next to the photo. You can delete the photo from your album by clicking the Delete link next to the photo.
Family Websites (cont.) 30 1 2 3 To add a Custom pages to your website, click on Custom Pages from the Edit Family Web Site page (see tutorial page 25). Click on Add Custom Page (circled). A new page will open. Give your new page a title. Custom pages allow you to add several different things to your website. Click on the button to the left to choose the style of page: 1. You can upload a file, such as a word document. Click the Browse button to upload the file from your computer. 2. You can link to another website 3. You can add additional information (such as your thoughts on a particular topic). Type your comments in the text box. If you want to add a photo, click the Browse button and select it from your computer. Click the Add button (boxed) to save your page
Viewing Your Family Website 31 If you would like to view your website, you must: Go to Membership Directory link. Go to www.gbach.org Click on Family Web Site to view any family s personal site.