If you visit CommunityCentral you'll be in for a surprise-the design has been spruced up. This freshening-up also heralds the arrival of Private Workspaces and Discussion Networks.

Aside from some new pictures and icons, there are a few other changes:

• the member login box is no longer yellow and we've merged it with the tab navigation bar at the top;
• we've added forums for members so you can make suggestions and get technical support
• as well as a directory listing of all members, so members can connect easily with one another.
  

Though we've poked and prodded the site from lots of different angles, we accept there could still be a few gremlins in the system. If you do find an error or things that bug you, tell us straight away. We'd also really like to hear your feedback about what we're now offering.

Our attention is now turning to helping all our members make good use of the platform, and telling lots more people about what is available. So, now is the time to spread the word!

Private Workspaces and Discussion Networks

We now offer you Private Workspaces and Discussion Networks. In each of these, CommunityCentral members are already starting to share, connect and learn.

In the first release, every Discussion Network or Private Workspace member can:

• upload and share files
• talk with others
• write and edit simple documents
• receive emails about changes to each group.

You'll notice members' faces (or stars) on most pages of each Discussion Network or Private Workspace. Our aim is to support people to connect, rather than this just provide you something that is just about computer files and words. Please don't be shy and make sure you add a photo to your profile. A face really makes more of a difference than just your name!

We also aim to support each group to interact according to tikanga that is unique to its membership. There is a place where each group can record on its own groundrules, or you can use the ones we supply. For organisers interested in learning about online facilitation, we have also provided you some links to useful resources.

Visit CommunityCentral today and check the list of Discussion Networks you could join:

• Kiwi Family Trust, Community Focus
  
• Presbyterian Support Northern, Volunteer Manager's Hub
• NZCOSS (NZ Council of Social Services). Coming Soon.
  
• Human Rights Porirua. Coming Soon.

You cannot view a list of Private Workspaces. This is because they are private and therefore not publicly available. You have to be invited to join one.

We'll continue to keep you posted about what's new for Discussion Networks and Private Workspaces as we make improvements to these features.

Comvoices daily media alerts - new!

If you normally receive the daily media alert from Comvoices, you'll now get it through CommunityCentral. Essentially you won't notice any change in its content. This sought-after alert is free to individuals in tangata whenua, community and voluntary sector organisations and features news relevant to the sector as well as media releases from sector organisations.

You can subscribe to Comvoices daily media alerts here.

Tool tip: MyPage - keeping track

As soon as you join CommunityCentral, you automatically get a MyPage. This page lists all the e-newsletters you've subscribed to, and any Private Workspaces and Discussion Networks you're a member of. Each MyPage is unique to an individual member.

The page is automatically updated as soon as you change a subscription, or join or leave a group. There are quick links so you can edit your account settings, contact details and profile. There is also a short list of updates about changes on the site.

It's a helpful page to remember so you can quickly get to where you're sharing or connecting with others. It is the only place you can link to Private workspaces, because for security reasons these are not linked elsewhere on the website.

Visit your MyPage today.

Staff changes

With the new features now available, we are saying goodbye to project manager Stephen Blyth. When he started in November 2007, CommunityCentral consisted only of a bright idea. Now we're starting to build up an online community. You'll still see Stephen contributing to CommunityCentral and cycling around Wellington as he helps organisations there to powerfully use the internet (read more about his work at Common Knowledge blog).

We've been successful with an application for a Community Intern, a programme run by the Department of Internal Affairs. For the next five months, Ros Coote is working part time in a business development role. She is being released from her job as a Senior Analyst at the State Services Commission. Her focus will be on setting up systems, reaching out to stakeholders and exploring ongoing funding.

Thank you

Updating the CommunityCentral has been a team effort. Thanks are due to:

• egressive web developers, who sponsored website development over and above their contract
• designer Lee-Yan Marquez, of Argent of Change
• Drupal expert Dan Morrison, online at coders or dman
• Ros Coote for indefatigable project management
• the SSC volunteers, Dominic Ballesteros and Stephen Olsen for testing and quality assurance
• lead agency NZFVWO for lots of behind the scenes work and the other founding partners.