Using the OFCAAA Member Forum

To access the member forum - go to the membership category navigation menu or you can click on "forums" on the top right of your window. 

* Please note that you must be logged in to view the member forum.

The purpose of the OFCAAA member forum is for members to communicate directly with each other and share information and knowledge with the entire membership base.  

If you are not familiar with forums, in simple terms, it is like a message board where you can post information you are looking for or post information you have for other members to view and reply to.   Here are some simple tips to get you started:

Please ensure you read the forum rules and regulations first.  These are guidelines in which this forum operates.  The forum rules and "how to topics" are considered a "sticky" which will always be placed on the top of the forum to make it easier to access.  By using the forum, you are agreeing to the terms set forth in the rules and regulations.  Personal information is collected under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used for Association purposes only.

Please ensure you read which forum heading you are posting in.  The OFCAAA has created 12 main headings that your information should fall under:

• Announcements
• General Discussion
• General Administration
• Health and Safety
• Job Descriptions
• Operating Guidelines
• Photo Gallery
• Policies
• Prevention
• Public Education
• Training and Education
• Wage Surveys and Related topics

Posting in the correct heading will ensure that members looking for information specific to the heading created will find it more easily. 

View a Post (also called "thread")

Click on the forum category that you are interested in viewing.  You will see several topics (also called threads) listed.  Click on the topic that interests you to view.   The first thread that you see is the topic in discussion.  All other posts below are replies.

Replying to a Post (thread)

Under the topic that you are viewing you will see a heading that states "Post Reply" and a text box to enter your reply.  It automatically enters the subject line for you are you are "replying" to this post.  Type your response in the main text box. To enhance your post you can bold, italics and underline text, insert a link, add bulleted and numbered items.  If you are referring to a document or need to attach additional information, you will see a "file attachments" link.  You can attach the following file formats: jpg jpeg gif png txt doc xls pdf ppt pps odt ods odp. Click "submit". (Please note that if posting a Microsoft Word document it is saved in Word 97-2003 format).
 

Creating a New Post (thread)

To create a new post, click on the category you wish to post in.  Click on the "new topic" button.   Enter your subject line - ensure your specific subject line is as specific as possible as this will generate better results when searching.  The next text box asks which forum you want this thread posted in.  Select from the menu.  Enter your post information in the large text box.  To enhance your post you can bold, italics and underline text, insert a link, add bulleted and numbered items.   If you are referring to a document or need to attach additional information, you will see a "file attachments" link.  You can post the following file formats: jpg jpeg gif png txt doc xls pdf ppt pps odt ods odp. Browse your computer for the file you wish to post and click "attach". (Please note that if posting a Microsoft Word document it is saved in Word 97-2003 format.)

This is especially handy if you are sharing OP/OGs etc. When you are finished, click "submit". 

After submitting your post, review it. If you need to make changes, there should be a red menu bar just above your post with "view and edit" buttons. Click on the "edit" button to make any changes. When you are finished click “submit”.
 

Subscribing to Forum Categories.

The OFCAAA forum is based on RSS fees.  RSS feeds enable you to view all of the latest forum topics all from a single place. This enables you to quickly access information that interests you with a simple click of a button. So, how can you subscribe to RSS feeds? You can subscribe to one or all forum categories through Microsoft Outlook, your default internet browser, your mobile device or with a news aggregator (such as google reader).

Please remember that although you can choose the feeds you wish to subscribe to, we suggest that you choose most, if not all feeds, so that all members can get the best reply to their questions/requests. The idea of the forums is to replace our need to email out surveys and requests. Thank you!

If you have any problems, please send an email to michelle.ohara@oafc.on.ca. The OAFC office will assist you with setting up notifications based on your preference.
 

Subscribing with Microsoft Outlook

The simplest way to subscribe is through the Microsoft Email client.  Click on the forum category you wish to subscribe to.  At the bottom of the page, you will find an RSS feed button that looks like this:

 

Click on the button above.  It will give you options on how you wish to subscribe.  Click on the Microsoft Outlook option.  It will automatically add the category to your Outlook RSS feed folder.  Any new topics posted in the forum category will automatically be sent you your RSS feed folder in Outlook. 

Subscribe with a Smart Phone
Each smart phone is different and has different applications that you can use to subscribe to the OFCAAA member forum.  Please visit your smart phone's manufacturer website, view your smart phone model and follow the instructions to subscribe.
 

Community Forum Rules & Regulations

Please Read the Forum Rules before Posting!

The community forums are a place where people can interact and have discussions about several different topics and issues. It has been created to be a valuable tool for sharing information from department to department. However, we ask that you adhere to these guidelines to ensure that the forums have productive conversations.

These rules and guidelines are enforced by administrators and moderators, and at their discretion, they may delete posts without warning if they do not comply. Failure to comply with the rules may result in a ban from the forums.

By posting to the forum, you are acknowledging that you have read and accepted the following rules and regulations;

1. Ensure you stick to the topic that you are discussing and ensure it is listed in its correct category. This will enable every member to gain the information they are looking for quickly and easily. If you have a questions pertaining to a topic not currently listed on the forum, please contact the President of the OFCAAA to have a forum category listed. This will ensure that the site is maintained in a manner that is easy to seek out the information you are looking for at a later date.

2. No writing hostile or insulting messages aimed at others for their views, comments, status as a user on the site, or any other reason. You can disagree with someone's views and still be polite about it.

3. No advertisements or soliciting of advertisements.  If you are interested in a type of equipment or services, please post your message with an email address in which to receive replies.

4. No discussions of software piracy, hacking, illegal material, or linking to these activities will be tolerated.

5. Do not post material that is hateful or mean towards race, religion, sex, or any other offensive nature.

6. Do not post lewd or offensive content, or links to lewd or offensive content. Keep everything safe for work, and remember that this is a professional forum, and we are an Association of Professionals.

7. Do not complain if a moderator removes a message you posted. We trust our moderators, and if they've removed a message, they had a good reason.

8. Do not post any personal information about you or anyone else.

9. Copying or plagiarize comments is strictly forbidden.