Getting Started with the BPSConnected Community

A 5-minute guide to this new resourcefor BPS members

The Connected Community is a new benefit of BPS membership, it enables you to…

• Find and keep in touch with other members• Form networks and working groups• Share files with colleagues• Blog and discuss issues that affect you on a daily basis

Your colleagues are already there!

This 5-minute guide will take you through some practical steps on getting started, including:

• Creating your profile• Connecting with colleagues• Managing your privacy• Joining and participating in communities• Sharing and searching for resources

Click on the link in the grey box at the top right hand side of the screen to review your profile and contact information. You can:

• Upload your picture• Complete your biographical information• Suggest areas of special interest to you, or topics on which you would be happy to consult, if asked

Step 1: Create your profile

If your name, contact address or other details are wrong, you will need to update them on the profile page of the main BPS website

The correct details will then appear on the community site within24 hours

The more you share - the better the system works

But, don’t share anything you are uncomfortable with being seen by other BPS members.

Members of the public will not be able to see anypersonal information

Remember…

• Search for colleagues using the ‘Find a member’ function in the Directory

• Send messages to other members through the Connected Community system (there is a button to help you do this under the contact information in each member’s profile)

• Add contacts: request a member becomes a contact once you have visited their profile page. You’ll find this in the same place as above - under contact information. This step will help you begin to build your online network

Step 2: Connect with other members

We take your privacy very seriously. Only BPS members can view your profile and contact you through the site. Your photo, contact information and any discussions you take part in do not make it into the public domain.

However, there is more you can do to control your privacy, if you would like:

• Go to: My Profile > My Privacy SettingsYou control:

Who sees whatWhat you receive

Step 3: Manage your privacy

If you have previously signed up to a Special Interest Group, or are a member of a committee, you’ll already be a part of a network, and can start discussing issues that are important to you straight away. Otherwise, here’s how you get started:

• Go to: Directory > All Communities > Show All > Member Created Communities

• Choose one of interest to you, click on the Members tab, then Join Community

You are then subscribed to that community, and can choose to receiveupdates in a variety of ways:

Real timeDaily digestMobileNo email

Step 4: Join a community

You will not be able to join any BPS Committees using this site.

If you would like to join a committee, please get in touch with the BPS office – we’d be delighted to help.

Remember…

Once you have joined a community or committee, you can contact each other simply.

• Post a message using the ‘Post’ link in the Latest Discussion Postings section of your community page. You can attach a file, just like an email, and the file will be added to your community library.

• Your message will be sent to your community group, and each member can reply via email or by logging on to the Community site.

• The original post, and any subsequent replies, are then sent toeach member of the community, so everyone can keep track ofthe debate

Step 5: Join a community

If you would like to share resources with fellow BPS members, you are very welcome to do so. You could share research information, reviews of meetings, educational materials, or really anything else you think might be helpful (as long as you own the copyright!).

Remember to describe and tag your documents so they will be easily retrieved by colleagues

• Go to: Resources > Add Document, then follow the steps to helpyou upload your resource.

One more thing to get you started…

Getting started is easy, but we’d recommend the following approach:

1.Complete your profile2.Adjust privacy settings3.Find 3 colleagues and make connections4.Join or start a community (or 2, 3, 4 or more!)

So, what should you do first…?

If you have any questions or problems with the site, please contact Carol Medal, BPS Information Systems Manager, using this site, or by emailing: cmj@bps.ac.uk

Problems…?