HOW TO USE THE BLOG

WELCOME ALL CALVARY YOUTH!

NOTE: Yes, I realize that this is a long post, but if you haven't been active on here in a while, or if you've never been active on it at all, please take some time to look over it.

This blog is a very special opportunity for all of our members. It is a chance for us to have fun reflecting on past events and, maybe more importantly, it is a chance for all to share thoughts and ideas about where God might be leading our youth group. Everybody is encouraged to participate. Whether you are new in our youth group or have been a member for several years, whether you're one of our "main characters" or if you just sit in the back and keep to yourself, whether you think you have something worth contributing or not - whoever you are, if you're a member of our youth group, we want to hear from you! If you haven't been very active on here, now is the time to start. If you don't know how, this post will tell you...


HOW TO GET HERE

Well, if you're reading this post, you obviously know how to get here, but just in case you don't, it's real simple - just go to http://calvaryyouthofhope.blogspot.com. If possible, go ahead and save this on your favorites list so that you can access it easily. I would encourage you to come straight here every time you decide to get on the blog rather than going straight to the Blogger main page and logging in from there. This way you have a chance to see the blog before making any posts - see what's been posted since you last got on. Also, getting to the actual blog directly from the Blogger main page can be kinda tricky. So just remember the address and come directly to it. It's much easier that way.


READING POSTS

Okay, so what now? What do I do now that I'm on the blog? That's simple. Read it! How do I know that a post applies to me? Easy - if it's on this blog, IT APPLIES TO YOU!!! Remember, this blog is for all of us, so whatever is posted on here, including comments, should be read and considered by all members. Be sure to read all posts, not just the one that is most current. Discussions on a post should go on for as long as there are things to be said concerning the topic, even if that post has been pushed down to the very bottom of the page. So scroll down and make sure you see everything.

NOTE: After you've read this post, scroll down and check out what else is going on. There are some important discussions about some things God is trying to do with us - such as how we relate to guests and to each other in the post titled "Newcomers" and about making sure we're excited and spreading the word about our group in the post titled "Bring a Friend!". Be sure to check them out.


COMMENTS

What do I do after I have read a post? Read the comments. Just click on "COMMENTS" at the bottom of the post. What is the response to the post? What are the thoughts and feelings of your fellow youth members? To tell the truth, the comments are where the real action takes place. Comments are meant to be used for discussion, so it's important that you read them carefully and consider what they say.

It is also important that you yourself engage in the discussion. Please don't brush this off. If you have anything to say, anything at all, say it. Everyone's got something to say on something. We should get many more comments on here than we have been. Please don't be afraid to jump in. Leaving a comment is simple: in the right column of the comments page, you will see a little box with the words "Leave your comment" above it. Just write up your comment in there, then click "Publish your comment" just below the box. If you have not signed in yet, it will prompt you to do so. Just type in your username and password. Don't know your username or password? No problem. I can give you your username. Just ask me for it. I do not know your password, but that's not a problem. Just type in your username and click enter. When it tells you there has been an error, it should give you the option of telling them that you have forgotten your password. Check that and Blogger will take care of you from there. I don't honestly know how they handle it because I've never had this problem myself, but I imagine it's pretty straightforward. Most likely they will e-mail it to you or something. Just be sure to follow their instructions.

So that's pretty simple, right? Remember, these are discussions. Discussions are meant to be a back and forth exercise. Simply leaving a comment and forgetting about it is not enough. You should check back later to see if anyone has said anything after you. You might want to leave another comment to comment on any comments left after your first one. Do it. Like I said, discussions should go on for as long as there are things to be discussed. There are no limits to how many comments you can make on a single post.

NOTE: If this is your first time to use the blog, or if we haven't heard from you in a while, try leaving a comment on this post to let us know you're there and that you know how to use it.


MAKING A POST

What about making a post? Okay, you should already be on the blog. Remember, go straight there through the addresss. Don't try to log in directly from the Blogger main page. You should see the blog before trying to make a post of your own. Once you are at the blog, look at the top. You should see a blue toolbar. To the far left, you should see a little icon that says "Blogger". Click that. There is also another icon at the bottom of the sidebar (that's to the right - where our picture is). Scroll down ‘till you see an icon that says "I Power Blogger". Both of these icons will direct you to the same place. Doesn't matter which one you click on.

If you have made a comment, then you have already signed in and will be immediately directed to what they call your "dashboard". If not, you will be directed to the Blogger main page. At the top right of the screen, you should see the options "Sign in to Blogger" and "Sign in to Blogger in Beta". Choose "Sign in to Blogger". You will be asked for your username and password. Again, if you don't remember you username, ask me and I will give it to you. If you know that much, you should be able to find out your password fairly easily.

Once you have signed in, you will be taken to your dashboard. From here, you can make a post. Click on the little green plus sign that says "New Post" and there you go. Write up your post and publish it. Not too complicated. Again, like with the comments, it's not enough just to post. You have to treat it like a discussion. Come back later to see what the response is. If in a few days time you haven't had any response, welcome to my world! Spread the word. Let people know that you're posting and that they should be too.


YOUR PROFILE

There's also another aspect of the blog that tends to get overlooked - your profile. You want a good thorough profile that helps us get to know you better. To edit your profile, go to your dashboard (you remember how to get there, right?). To the right, you should see an option to edit your profile. Click on that. Fill it out. Give us a picture of yourself - preferably a real pic of yourself as opposed to some avatar or something. Also, if you have a Xanga or MySpace, you can give us a link to it so that we can all be connected. Be yourself, but try to take it seriously. Don't just put silly stuff - let us really know something about you.

NOTE: If you haven't done much with your profile, try doing that now. It'd be good first step in getting active.

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Well, that's pretty much it. If you've read this, you should be able to get active on here now. Please do. It'll be great to start reading some posts and comments from more of you - like Stephen, Shaun, Blake, Brad, Tim, Amelia, JD, Naomi, Mackinzie...everyone on that contributors list...and hopefully some new members, as soon as they get on here.

If you're not a member and want to be, let me know. You have to be invited via e-mail, so just give me your e-mail address and I'll send you an invitation. Not sure if you're eligible? Have you ever sat your butt down in one of our fine-quality metal chairs on a Wednesday or Sunday? If so, then you are eligible and we want you on here!