Internet Forums are a great way for your members to interact and support each other! 

Note: Tendenci currently uses a restricted version in our Forums module. Please check out this help file to learn more about alternative forum software integrations to take your Tendenci Forums module to the next level!

To start using Internet Forums on your site for your members to leverage, you will need to set up a basic structure specific to your membership association. The structure looks like this:

CATEGORY > FORUM > TOPIC > POST

You will set up the first two tiers, CATEGORIES, and FORUMS, and then encourage your members to add TOPICS and POSTS.

For example, if your association provides support and networking for people living in a foreign country, you may set up a CATEGORY called FAMILY LIFE that includes FORUMS for NEIGHBORHOODS, SCHOOLS, and THINGS TO DO.

FAMILY LIFE

- NEIGHBORHOODS

- SCHOOLS

- THINGS TO DO

You may have another CATEGORY for GOVERNMENT that has FORUMS for TAXATION, REGULATIONS, and WORKING ABROAD.

GOVERNMENT

- TAXATION

- REGULATIONS

- WORKING ABROAD

Your association members will post TOPICS within each of these FORUMS and your membership can post their helpful replies.

SETTING UP YOUR CATEGORIES AND FORUMS

The idea is to build a structure that gives your membership a place to have their discussions. You are not limited in the number of CATEGORIES or FORUMS you set up and a little planning will help organize the information in a way that is most beneficial to your members!

• To get started, go to the Admin Backend and select Forums. From there you will be able to set up your CATEGORIES and then add FORUMS for each one.
• For each CATEGORY, expand the Permissions area and be sure View and Change are selected for Users and Members to allow them to Post and Comment 
  
  

ALLOWING NON-MEMBERS TO POST TO YOUR FORUM

All Members and Users will be able to post to the Community Forum. If you want to open up the site to allow others to Register and Post, you will need to make sure that option is available on your site.

• To turn on self-registration, go to your Profile menu and select Full Settings. From there, access controls for Users and set Self Registration to True.

Email Blocks on your Tendenci site

Notifications are not sent to those listed in the email_blocks on your Tendenci site. You can find the email blocks section on the backend of your Tendenci site at [https://www.yourwebsite.com/admin/email_blocks/emailblock]

SETTING UP RESTRICTED FORUMS

You can also set up private (hidden) Forums within the site that restricts both viewing and posting to only registered Users/Members with a User Level of Staff or Superuser.

• To set up a hidden Forum, go to the Admin Backend and select Forums. From there, access the Forum and select the Hidden checkbox.

BE SMART: These Forums, while Hidden from the general public, are NOT 100% secure. Like any online information, think about what you post before you put it online.

QUESTIONS?

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