There are TONS of ways you can use the new MYAN.org as a member, so it's understandable if it's hard to know where to start! Here are some simple steps to get you going.
HELP ON THIS PAGE
What: Your profile is the information you provided when you registered--who you are, what you're interested in, etc. You have lots of control over which of this information is public to other members, and you can change/update this information at any time.
Why: Plenty of reasons--change is the only constant, and this is an easy way to keep your connections up to date. Plus, this way other members don't think you're still in middle school when you just graduated from college.
How: Easy Peasey.
- In the "My Profile" box on the right hand side of your screen, click on "Manage Profile"
- Then click on "Edit Bio".
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Update information, and by checking or unchecking items you can decide whether fields are public to other members or not.
CHANGE YOUR PREFERENCES
What: You can choose to receive alerts about various kinds of site activity, like when a connection changes his/her profile, a new event is posted to one of your online community groups, when someone sends you a message, etc.
Why: Let the site do work for you. Set your preferences so you stay updated about the site without getting more email than you want.
How:
- In the "My Profile" box on the right hand side of your screen, click on "Manage Profile"
- Then click on "Preferences"
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Check out the different preferences and set them up to work for you.
What: Online Networking & Skillbuilding Groups are one of the main ways you connect with other members and stay in the loop about issues you care about. You're automatically signed up for a "regional" group based on where you live/work as part of the registration process, but you can join as many groups as you want to, and each one offers different things.
Why: So you can be a well informed, well connected changemaker. Plus, joining groups for topics you're interested in makes it quicker & easier to get to print resources & events you want to know about b/c all the groups you join are shortcutted from your "My Profile" area (see next section.)
How to Sign Up for Groups:
- Hover over "Network & Connect" in the main menu until the submenu pops out to the right.
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Click on "Networking Groups"
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You'll see a bunch of categories of groups. Click on any category to find what specific groups are available.
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Click on the name of a group to go to that group's home page. You can then click "join group" or "request to join" to become part of that group.
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Rinse & repeat for as many groups as you want to join!
How to Use the Online Networking & Skillbuilding Groups:
- Each group has information on the home page about using the group. Hopefully that explains it all. If not, contact the Group Admin, who is listed on the right side of the homepage of every group.
Why: Cuz why use more clicks than you have to?
How:
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Click on "Groups" in your Profile box on the right hand side of your screen (you must be logged in to see this screen.)
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You'll see a list of the groups that you've joined. Click on the title of the group to go to it.
What: There are discussion forums in every online networking & skillbuilding group. You can post topics, or reply to things that others have posted. Post your success stories, ask for help, let others know about events and advocacy opportunities, use the forums to collaborate with others in your area, etc. Some groups also have blogs, which you can read more about below.
Why: Idea sharing is at the heart of making change and friends don't let friends reinvent the wheel.
How:
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Click on "groups" in your 'My Profile" box, which is the light purple box on the right side of your screen when you're logged in.
- Click on the group you want to go to.
- Click on "Directory & Features" at the top of the group home page
- Click on Forums
What: Print resources--downloadable tipsheets, informational flyers and toolkits--are found in the online community groups.
Why: Read all about it, so you can know your stuff, and spread the word.
Here's an easy reference chart for what topics you can find in what groups.
| Online Networking & Skillbuilding Groups |
Resource Topics You Can Find in This Group |
| Be Healthy |
Anti-Tobacco
Substance Abuse & Underage Drinking Prevention
Physical Activity
Nutrition
Sexual Health
Healthy Relationships and Dating/Sexual Violence Prevention
Mental & Emotional Health
Eating Disorders & Body Image
Youth Suicide Prevention |
| Create Change |
Advocacy & Activism
Public Speaking
Action Planning
Youth Leadership Skill Development/Youth Development
Civic Engagement & Education
Community Assessment & Program Evaluation
Media Messages
Presentation & Facilitation Skills
Fundraising & Money Management |
| Work Together |
Youth-Adult Partnership
Safe & Diverse Spaces (including GLBTQ issues)
Building Your Group (including recruitment, teambuilding, etc.)
Communication Skills, Conflict Resolution & Peer Mediation
Mentoring |
| Think Global |
Environmental Issues
Global Issues |
| HMP YAPs |
Healthy Maine Partnership related documents, including:
HMP Youth Activity Resource Guide
Need to Know Guide: An Orientation for New Staff to the World of HMP YAPs
Evaluation Tools |
| SBHCs |
Resources specific to School-Based Health Centers |
How:
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Go to the group that has the topic you need resources about.
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Note: You can read & download resources from groups that you've joined and from groups that you're just visiting. Joining makes it quicker to get to the group, though, and allows you to receive announcements from the group admin and other group members, as well as post/reply to forums, etc.
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Click on "Group Pages" at the top of the home page.
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You'll see a link (or links) to pages for Print Resources. Some groups have separate pages for different topics.
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Once you're on the page for the topic you want, you can click on the title of the resource to open a pdf of that resource, which you can then read, print or save!
What: Pictures of you & your efforts to advocate & create change!
Why: A picture is worth a thousand words.
How to Load Pictures to Online Networking & Skillbuilding Groups:
- You'll need to be a member of the group before you can upload a photo to that group. See information above about joining groups.
- Once you're at the homepage of the group you want to post to, click on the "upload a photo" link and follow the directions.
How to Load Pictures to Your Personal Photo Gallery:
- Click on "Manage Profile" in your "My Profile" box.
- Click on "Photo Gallery"
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Use the links to upload photos or manage your collections.
BLOGGING
What: There are 2 types of blogs on our site.
- MYAN has an overall site blog called The 411 to keep users informed about MYAN news, changes to the site, and things we think site users should pay special attention to. Only admins can post to this blog.
- There are also blogs in some of the Online Community Groups (like the SBHC group and the HMP YAP group). Only group administrators (usually MYAN staff) can post to these, but any member of the group can add a comment to a blog post. (See below)
Online Networking & Skillbuilding Group Blogs
Why: They're like a beacon to important things going on within the group. We use them to call attention to news, documents, or forum discussions that we think group members should pay attention to.
How:
Only admins can create an initial blog post, but any member can comment.
- Click on the blog post title you want to add a comment to
- Under the blog post there should be a box where you can post your comment.
- Comment away & hit submit!
What: Subscriptions are a way for you to easily follow what's going on in a certain blog or forum by getting email alerts when new content is posted.
Why: It's nice to know when things are new without having to keep a constant eye out. Plus, if you've posted a question or comment, your subscription will be extra handy for knowing if someone has responded.
How:
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There is a handy dandy "subscribe" button at the top of all blogs and forums on the site. Just click that and you'll be set to go!
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QUESTIONS?
Something you're wondering about that's not answered here? Let us know what you need help with by submitting a contact form and we'll get back to you.
More how-tos coming soon!
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