The "My Directory" section is filled with information about you and other AMSN members. The items in this area are tabbed across the top and include your profile, contacts, inbox, listing of communities and networks, search the directory, blogs, and preferences/privacy settings. Each of these items is explained in further detail here.
Profile
Your profile is a collection of facts and data information about yourself. When you look at your own profile, you will see all of your information. When members view your profile, they will only see the information you chose to share. (See the Preferences and Privacy Settings page for more information on this.)
As a community member your current profile information on AMSN NetWorks is automatically generated by the system using your current AMSN membership information. If any part of your name, address and email is not current, it can only be updated on the AMSN.org Web site (click on "profile" after you log in) or by contacting AMSN.
You can add to the items below by clicking on the "add" button. If you need to change any of the information you listed, you do so by clicking in the "edit" button.
- Bio - a biographical outline about yourself
- Education - an outline of your education
- Job History - an outline of your past and current job positions
The other items that appear on your profile are:
- My Blog - a list of your most recent blog entries
- My Contacts - a list of your current contacts
- Groups - a list of your eGroups
- Networks - a list of connections that you have with other members
Upload a Profile Photo
You can share a photo of yourself, or an image that represents you in some way, like a flower or the logo of your favorite sports team.
To upload a photo, click “Edit Picture” under the shadow box. Click “Browse” to select the photo you want. The photo must be saved in order to upload it. After you selected your photo and hit “Open,” click “Upload” on the page. Your picture will appear in your profile and next to your name on correspondences.
Contacts
Your contacts are other members that you have chosen to connect with. Generally, members will choose to share some personal information with all AMSN members, but make their phone number and email address available only to their contacts.
To add someone as a contact, both parties must accept. You can send a contact request by finding someone in a community or through a search, then clicking on the "Add ___ as contact" link underneath that person's name. The person will receive a notification that you invited him/her to be your contact. If he/she accepts your request, the member will now appear in your contact list.
Likewise, other community members may request you as a contact. If this happens, you will see a message on your profile that says "You have _ contact request(s)." Click on this link where you have a choice to accept the request, decline the request, or send an email to the person for clarification. If you decline, the person who sent the request will not receive a notice that you declined the invitation. If you accept, you will automatically be listed in the person's contact list.
Inbox
Community members can click on the Inbox and see a list of messages from others. You can also review messages by Sent Items, Requests or Invitations.
If you have a new unread message, there will be an envelope next to the word "Inbox" in your navigation. You will also see a notification on your profile page.
In your inbox, the messages which appear in bold are unread. Click on the subject line of the message to view the complete message.
Communities and Networks
Communities are groupings of AMSN members. There are communities for committees, chapters, task forces, and working groups. To see your communities, or what communities exist in AMSN NetWorks, you can go here. You can also use this feature of the directory to see what members are involved in a particular group. Communities may have eGroups and/or Resource Libraries.
Networks are lists automatically built based on your location, certifications, interests, job history and education, as specified in your profile. They enable you to find people who share your background and interests or discover common background and interest among your existing contacts. Networks are just suggestions of people who are similar to you. They do not have eGroups or Resource Libraries.
Search the Directory
Click on "Search the Directory" to look for any member of AMSN. You can search by any field provided. None of the fields are required so that you can use only those that are helpful to you.
Note that fields like First Name, Last Name, Company Name, etc. will perform a partial match. For example, a Last Name search for "Jo" will find everyone whose last name starts with "Jo" such as Jones, Jonas, and Johnson.
From your search results, you can view a member's limited profile to send a contact request or message.
Blogs
A blog is a web page that lets you communicate publicly or privately to other community member contacts your ideas, comments, current events, useful Web sites or other information. To add a new blog entry, click on "New Blog." Give your blog a title and compose the entry in the window provided. When you are finished, before hitting the publish button, select who can read and make comments on your blog entry. Your options include:
- Public: Anyone can view this blog, including search engines. This option will give your blog the broadest exposure possible.
- Authenticated: All users able to log into the website may read your blog entry. This may include non-members.
- AMSN Members: Only members will be able to view your blog posting.
- My Contacts: Only people who are in your "My Contact" list will be able to view your blog posting. This is the highest privacy setting.
Hit the "Publish" button to share your blog with others, or the "Save for Later" button if you are not finished working yet or would like to publish it at a later date.
Preferences/Privacy Settings
Community members may contact you by inviting you to become their contact, inviting you to join a community, or sending you a message. Notifications will be stored in your Inbox. Notifications may also be forwarded to an email address based on your selected preferences.
Your profile may be accessed through the member directory and community rosters. You have control over the information others see on your profile.