The News & Updates module functions as the community’s blog and announcement board. It provides a central place to share important information such as policy changes, project updates, newsletters and community stories.
Posts Dashboard
- Post cards: Each blog post is displayed as a card showing a thumbnail image (if provided), the title, category, publication date and status (Public or Private). Cards also display quick actions for editing, toggling visibility and deleting the post.
- Filter and search: A Filter button allows administrators to narrow posts by category, status or date. This makes it easy to locate old announcements or draft articles.
- New Post: Click New Post to compose a new article — the full create, categorize, Public/Private and edit-after-publish flow is covered in Publish a News Post.
Editing Posts
- Rich text editor: Horizon’s editor supports headings, lists, links, images and attachments. You can embed documents from the Document Library or reference past events to provide context. For full toolbar detail, see Using the Content Editor.
- Categories: Use categories (e.g., Announcements, Social, Development) to organise posts. Categories help residents filter the content they care about and allow you to measure interest in different topics.
- Visibility and updates: Choosing Public or Private and editing a post after publication are covered in Publish a News Post.
Best Practices
- Maintain a consistent tone: The blog represents your community’s voice. Write in a professional yet friendly manner and avoid jargon. Consider establishing an editorial policy to guide contributors.
- Use visuals wisely: A relevant image or graphic makes a post more engaging. Ensure that any images comply with privacy guidelines and do not reveal personal information or restricted details.
- Link to additional resources: When announcing meetings or projects, include links to the relevant documents in the Document Library or to the event in the calendar so residents can easily find supporting materials.
- Schedule regular updates: Posting consistently—monthly board updates, quarterly newsletters, etc.—encourages residents to check the blog frequently.
The News & Updates module keeps residents informed and fosters transparency. It works best in conjunction with the Event Calendar (for dates), Document Library (for attachments) and Newsletter module (for email distribution).