Were delighted to announce our new website and online groups By Nancy Jackson, BALPA Communications and External Relations Manager In the past 40 years, modern communication has altered dramatically and, more recently, that change has been even more rapid. Back in the 70s and 80s, telephones were static, linked to a wall by a cable, and the internet was yet to become the major phenomenon it is today. Nowadays, young people find it hard to imagine a world without mobile phones and instant access to the web on devices that can be carried around in their pocket. The first question at any party or gathering is no longer How are you?, but Whats the WiFi code? We have become used to being able to access information wherever we are, at the touch of a button. For those of us in the world of communications, it means constant adaptation and exploration. At BALPA, we have continued to adapt, to launch new platforms and to improve the way we communicate to ensure our members have that easy access to information and are able to engage with us in ways they find useful. We now rarely send communications by post, moving to email as a quicker, easier and more efficient way of sending you mail. We have launched various social media platforms and the 2Way app for our members benefit. Part of our ongoing work is to review our current platforms, including the website, 2way app, newsletters, forum and social media, and ensure they are the most effective tools for our members. Through this work, we identified a need to update, consolidate and improve our offering. Thats why weve launched our new website and portal, to improve communication and community engagement across BALPA. While the main website focuses on our external audiences such as potential members, the media, politicians, and the public, we have also created a dedicated member portal where you are able to engage with BALPA, your Company Council and other members in a new way. A single space for members No more searching around for old newsletters, agreements or missing that member meeting because you forgot the date. You can now view news articles, check the latest events and find a whole library of information at your fingertips. Theres information about BALPA, the various departments and how we operate, as well as sections on careers, the latest aviation job postings and how to get in touch with BALPA and your Company Council. Live feed All of this is combined into a live feed so you can see all the latest information in a single place. Youll also be able to like articles and comment directly on news to share your thoughts and engage with BALPA and the wider community. Want to start a discussion? You can do this on the live feed and interact within the BALPA community. And within groups, youll be able to tag your post so others can find it in the future. Groups The portal is divided into an all-members area and specific groups for each airline. Each group has its own news, library and feed, so company discussions are kept away from the wider membership. Youll also be able to join groups of interest, so when talking about work gets too much, you can join the discussion in other groups. Whether its sport related, motoring or one of our community groups, youll be able to chat with like-minded members across the BALPA community. How we communicate We realise you want to know whats happening at BALPA, but emails can quickly fill up your inbox, often arrive at inconvenient times and can be hard to find at a later date. So well be starting to change how we communicate. Youll see more regular news items posted on the portal, with the most important news sent out via email or as a digest periodically. That way you can stay informed but when it suits you. The portal will be mobile-friendly too, so you can login wherever you are. It will be regularly updated and fresh, so youll see lots of new pages being created. Out with the old The new platform will mean that the current BALPA forum and website will no longer be used, although the BALPA forum will remain visible for a period of time so members can look back at previous discussions. Both the current website and forum are now several years old and in need of major updates. Recently, we have experienced a number of issues with each platform. Their age has meant our IT providers are largely unable to support their continued operation. This has given the team the opportunity to look at all available options, and to implement a new platform that has a host of new facilities all in one place, and is modern and engaging for our members. Your feedback We know that to ensure the new website and portal stay current, well have to keep up with constant changes to modern technology. We will continue to adapt the offering to ensure we are able to provide the best facilities for BALPA members. Were really looking forward to you trying out the new sites, and are keen to hear your feedback. If you have any comments, please contact communications@balpa.org BALPA WE B S ITE The changing