I thought I would post a quick FAQ on the [url="http://events.lexusownersclub.co.uk"]LOC Event Management Tool[/url] (EMT).

[color=blue]GENERAL[/color]

[b]Does the EMT negate the need for a Club Meetings forum?[/b]
No! The purpose of the tool is allow members who wish to organise an event easy means of doing so. It also affords other members easy means of listing all events in their region (as well as the main events). In addition, members can see how many people are registered for an event, list the confirmed members, contact the organiser and view detailed event information.

It is still recommended a thread is set up for each event, to promote open discussion surrounding the event. In fact, when adding an event there is a field to allow you to add a link to a thread in the forums.

[b]Do I have to register to use the tool?[/b]
Unfortunately, yes! This is really the only means that we can identify members and organisers and create an appropriate profile (geographic region).

[b]Why can't you link into the forums members database?[/b]
Weighing up the pro's and con's of this show that it would actually not be very beneficial to do this. For example, if the forums database got corrupted, so would the Event Management Tool, also if the forums were later upgraded this may have an affect on the EMT. In addition, we needed to add some bespoke fields to the members table that are not available in the forums members tables.

[b]Do I have to provide my email address?[/b]
Yes. This is because of two main reasons. We did not wish to allow members to be able to organise an event and not be contactable via email regarding it. In addition you can receive email updates when an event is either cancelled or updated by its organiser (this is an automatic process).

[b]What if I don't want to receive email notifications?[/b]
That's fine. Just go into your Control Panel and uncheck the email notification checkbox

[b]Can others see my email address?[/b]
No, you can only be contacted through a form. Your email address is never displayed.

[b]How do I confirm my registration?[/b]
When you register you will be sent a confirmation email with a unique link in it. Simply click on the link to complete your registration.

[b]Can I log in before I have confirmed my registration[/b]
Sorry, no.

[color=blue]FUNCTIONALITY[/color]

[b]How do I add a local event?[/b]
At th bottom of the events page you will see an "Add an Event" link. Simply click this and complete the form. This will then add an event for your region.

[b]How do I add a main event?[/b]
Only members with the relevent priviliges set can add global events. They have an additional form element on the "Add an Event" form which allows them to do this.

[b]How do I edit an event?[/b]
You can only edit your own events and only if you have been granted regional event edit privileges (which is the default). Once your event has been added to the database it will be visible in the events table. As the organiser you can click on the name of your event which will take you to the event edit form. Complete only those form elements which you wish to change, leave the remainder blank (and they will retain their existing values). Members who have elected to receive update notifications will be informed of an update to the event.

[b]How do I delete an event?[/b]
You can only delete your own events and only if you have been granted regional event delete privileges (which is the default). Click on the event name in the events table, at the bottom of the form is a check box which, when checked and after confirmation, will allow you to delete your event. Any members who have elected to receive update notifications will be informed of the events cancellation.

[b]How do I contact an event organiser?[/b]
Click the "Click here to contact organiser" link in the row of the event table corresponding to the event you are interested in. This will load up a contact form which you will be to use to contact the organiser.

[b]How do I change my profile[/b]
You can change your user profile (email address, region, etc) by clicking the link "Control Panel" at the foot of the events page.

[b]How do I register for an event?[/b]
Click the "register" link for the event you are interested in.

[b]How do I unregister from an event?[/b]
Click the unregister link for the event you wish to unregister from.

[b]Can I register for a regional event outside of my region?[/b]
Yes. Click the "List all Events" link at the foot of the events page, then click the register link for the event you are interested in.

[b]Can I sort the order of the events in the table?[/b]
Yes. You can sort either by [i]date[/i] or by [i]event name[/i]. Simply click the column heading depicting your sort preference. Clicking multiple times will toggle between ascending and descending sort order.

[b]How do I view detailed event information?[/b]
If you are not the event's organiser then clicking the event name in the events' table will display detailed information regarding the event (as well as any link to the forums where the event is discussed)

[b]Can I make recommendations for improvement?[/b]
Of course. All recommendations are gratefully received. Please understand that Steve (Administrator) has to decide what goes in and what does not. I cannot make any changes without his go-ahead.

[b]Where can I send my questions, recommendations, bug reports to?[/b]
Feel free to [url="http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?act=Msg&CODE=4&MID=2069"]PM[/url] them to me. I will read each one and speak with Steve if and when required.

Thanks all.