How do I register on the NCVO website?

If you already have an account use the Log in tab at www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/user/login and enter your email address and password.

If you haven't created a website account yet use the Register tab to Create a new account: go to
www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/user/register and enter:

your email address
your membership numbert if you are from an NCVO member organisation
(if you don't know what your membership number is, first check that your organisation is an NCVO member; if it is, you can get your number from our membership support team at membership@ncvo-vol.org.uk or on 020 7520 2414)
your first name and last name
the country where you are based

You can enter additional information at this stage where indicated, but this is optional, you can come back to it later.

Then read the terms and conditions, tick the box if you accept these, and select Create new account.

Please note: your password and further instructions will be sent to your email address.

Once you have received the email you will then be able to go back and login at www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/user/login and update your profile with a biography, a photo - check the Visibility box if you wish to appear in the Networking Directory.

You can personalise your password. Once you have received the confirmation email and logged in, go to My account and select the Edit tab. To change the current user password, enter the new password in both fields. Then Save these new details (button at the bottom of the page). Next time you log in you will be able to use the new password you created.

NCVO members

Your membership number is important. This will help the site recognise you are a member and give you the NCVO members discounts for events and publications purchases.

Don't know your membership number? Please contact our membership support team at membership@ncvo-vol.org.uk or on 020 7520 2414.

Discussions

To read a post, select a topic of choice listed on the main Discussions page, where they are listed under sections for example "Helping you run your organisation". You can also access these posts from the homepage and throughout the website.

To reply to a post scroll down to the Post new comment box at the bottom of each post and enter your Comment. Click Preview to check your reply and edit if necessary, and then click Save to publish it.

You can edit your post by going back to your post and selecting Edit.

To start a new discussion topic, click a Start a new discussion link at the top of the Topic section, and a new page will open for you to begin a discussion. Enter a subject title, content and Save to publish it. The subject title you give will appear in the list of topics.

If you wish to copy a text that you have prepared, make sure you paste in notepad first, then copy it in notepad and then you will be able to post it on our website.

You also have the option to receive email alerts for any comments to the discussions. Select the link: You are not watching this post, click to start watching to start getting these notifications.

This means each time someone post a comment or reply in the thread of discussion you will be informed. There is no RSS feed at this stage for discussions.

You can choose to stop receiving the notifications at any time, simply select the link: You are watching this post, click to stop watching.

If you have an issue with a particular discussion or replied to a discussion select the Report content link. You have to be logged in to report content.

Blogs

A blog (a contraction of the term "weblog") is a journal that is available online. It is usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary.

If you want to add a comment to a blog you’re reading scroll down to the Post your comment box.

Click Preview to check your reply and edit if necessary, and then click Save to publish it.

If you wish to copy a text that you have prepared, make sure you paste in notepad first, then copy it in notepad and then you will be able to post it on our website.

You also have the option to receive email alerts for any comments to the blog. Select the link: You are not watching this post, click to start watching to start getting these notifications.

If you have an issue with a particular blog select the Report content link. You have to be logged in to report content.

Ask the expert

This used to be an NCVO member's benefit. We wok now with experts in a different way, using blogs and discussions.

The answers from past expert can be accessed, dates are explicite. Only NCVO members will have access to the answers.

How do I read Engage Online?

Engage is NCVO's online membership magazine, bringing you all the latest views and analysis from across the voluntary sector and wider civil society. Find out more about how to access Engage Online.

Networking directory

You have the option to display your profile on the Networking directory along with other online community members who want to network and share ideas. The directory includes your first name, last name, job title, organisation.

To be displayed in the directory simply tick the Visibility box at the bottom of your Profile tab munder My Account.

The Networking directory is only visible once you are logged in.

Contact a community member

From the directory, you are able to send a message directly to 0ther community members using the Contact link in the directory, on the same line as their name. Remember if you cannot find them it means they have chosen not to tick the Visibility box, on their profile page, and therefore they will not appear in the directory.

Report content

If you have an issue with a particular discussion or replied to a discussion select the Report content link. You have to be logged in to report content. Find out more in our community guidelines under the paragraph "If you wish to report any problems".

About networking and discussions

NCVO's mission is to give voice and support to civil society and through this community we are offering you the space to make your voice heard and get support from each other.

From people in small organisations to infrastructures organisations, from trustees to policy makers, everyone can start and contribute to conversations, join groups, read blogs and contact other members.

We look forward to you joining the discussions and being part of this powerful community.

Step 1: Register / Login
Step 2: Read the Community guidelines
Step 3: Network, support each other, start conversations.

If you have any queries, please contact communitymanager@ncvo-vol.org.uk.

Help, advice and information about the NCVO website

Search on NCVO website
Advertising on NCVO website
Social bookmarking links
Accessibility
Terms and conditions including website terms of use, acceptable use policy, privacy policy and booking terms.

Find out if someone's replied to you

If you want to know if someone's replied to your post simply select under the post starter the link text 'You are not watching this post, click to start watching'. Then any replies will generate an email to your inbox.

You can stop this any time by going back to that post and selecting 'Stop watching this post'. As mentioned in the Community guidelines in the Discusssion paragraph.

Tip to start a discussion

If you wondering if it's a good discussion starter ask what is the title going to be first and foremost. It needs to be short and catchy if you are going to stand a chance of getting any replies. The idea to get people to reply as well as read your post! None of the forum discussions or blogs are pre-moderated, just to confirm.

As for the text to start the discussion have a strong angle. Not all discussions start or end with a question, and don't have to be long.

Just like face to face conversations online discussions need to attract people's attention in a meaningful way. It's also valuable to leave a reply on an existing discussion where you feel you have something to say.

Why your profile is worth filling in

It's worth filling in your profile as it gives other members an idea of who you are and what expertise you have.

In the online world where you don't have the benefit of seeing who you are talking to then words are your actions! In this way profiles give people a better idea of who they are joining in conversation with, who they might want to share expertise with and generally provide background to who you are.

As our Community guidelines states you are encouraged to use your real name so other users know who you are. To complete your profile go to 'My Account' after login, then select the 'Profile' tab and complete your biography and job role.

And make sure you tick the box which enables your profile to be made visible in the 'Networking Directory'. Your profile will only be seen by people logged in on NCVO website.

Search

To search, use the "Search" box at the top righthand side of every page.

Searching is very easy, but to get the most from the advanced features, you may want to consider these tips:

Use precise search words
The more descriptive your search words are, the better your search results will be. For example, when searching for information about trustee recruitment, enter the search term "trustee recruitment", rather than "trustee" or "recruitment".

Check your spelling
The NCVO website cannot (yet) spot your typos for you!

Avoid common words
Commonly used words, such as "a", it", "and", "the", "by", "at", and "of", are ignored by the search tool. Accordingly, you do not need to use these words.

Capitalisation and punctuation are not necessary
For example, when searching for information about revitalising the English Regions, just enter "revitalising english regions".

Word order does not matter
For example, searching for "revitalising english regions" and "regions english revitalising" should produce the same results.

Leaving a space between words is important
If you are unsure if there is a space between the words, try your search both ways.

Just the words
It is not necessary to phrase your search in the form of a question. For example, you do not need to enter "Where can I find information about revitalising English regions?". Instead, just enter "revitalising english regions".

Ignore plurals
You do not need to decide between using different forms of the same word, such as plurals. For example, entering "region" also searches for "regions".

Be as specific as you can
Of course, if you get few or no results, try making your search more general.

Try using synonyms
If the search term you entered produces few results, try using a synonym or more common term that means the same. For example, instead of searching for "director development", try "trustee development".

Advertising on NCVO website

For banners on the site and to find out cost and contact details, please read "promote with NCVO".

What are social bookmarking links?

Every page on the NCVO website now includes links to the social bookmarking/sharing websites del.icio.us, Twitter and Facebook.

Social bookmarking links on NCVO site

Social bookmarking links can be found at the top and bottom of all pages.

These sites make it easy for you to save and share web content.

If you find something you like you can share it with other people via social bookmarking or social networking communities.

So, if you come across NCVO information that you find interesting and want to share it with other people or save it for future reference, simply click on one of these links and follow the instructions to add it to your list.

All of the sites are free to use but do require you to register. Once you have registered you can begin bookmarking.

Each of the sites works slightly differently. Find out which service best suits your needs with more details:

del.icio.us: a collection of favorites
To register, go to:
http://del.icio.us/register
Twitter: free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read other users' updates known as tweets.
To register, go to:
https://twitter.com/signup
Facebook: social networking website
To register, go to:
https://register.facebook.com/r.php

Our website may contain links to third party websites. If you choose to use a link from this website to a third party website you acknowledge and accept that NCVO has no control over and shall not be responsible for the content of such linked website(s). These links are provided for your convenience. We do not necessarily endorse the content in such linked website(s). We cannot guarantee that these links will work all the time and we have no control over the availability of the linked pages.

What is Twitter?

Twitter is a free micro-blogging - and social networking service which allows people to send and read others' updates ("Tweets"). Updates are displayed on the user's profile page and delivered to other users who have signed up to receive them.

We're using Twitter to give updates on events, press releases and more.

Twitter logo 2 Follow NCVO on Twitter