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Create an Announcement

🛡️ For: Security Team Only

Use this guide to create and publish announcements to your community residents.

Getting Started​

Only members of the security team can create announcements. If you don't see the create option, contact your administrator.

  1. Open the Announcements section in the app
  2. Tap the "+" button (create new announcement)
  3. The announcement form appears - ready for your input

Creating Your Announcement​

Step 1: Write the Title​

  • Tap the Title field
  • Enter a clear, concise title (e.g., "Pool Maintenance Schedule", "Security Alert")
  • Keep it short - think like a headline that grabs attention

✅ Good titles:

  • "Scheduled Maintenance: Building A Electrical Work"
  • "Package Delivery Area Closed Tomorrow"
  • "Urgent: Please Avoid West Entrance"

❌ Avoid vague titles:

  • "Important"
  • "Update"
  • "Please Read"

Step 2: Add the Description​

  • Tap the Description/Body field
  • Enter full details of your announcement
  • Provide context - who, what, when, where, why
  • Include action items if residents need to do something

What to include:

  • What is happening?
  • When is it happening? (date, time, duration)
  • Where is it happening? (building, area, unit)
  • Who should know about it?
  • What should residents do?
  • Contact info if they have questions

Example:

Pool maintenance will take place tomorrow (March 15th)
from 9 AM to 3 PM. The pool will be closed during
this time for cleaning and equipment repair.

Please avoid the pool area during this period. All
residents will have access to the pool on March 16th.

For questions, contact the security office at
extension 101 or email security@luqa.community

Step 3: Choose Priority Level​

Priority determines urgency:

  • 🟢 Low - General information (events, announcements, updates)

    • Examples: Newsletter, community event, policy reminder

  • 🟡 Medium - Important updates (service changes, closures)

    • Examples: Facility maintenance, parking changes, new rules

  • 🔴 High - Urgent matters (emergencies, immediate action needed)

    • Examples: Security incident, emergency procedures, immediate evacuation

To set priority:

  1. Tap the priority options at the top (🟢 🟡 🔴)
  2. Select the appropriate level
  3. Selected priority is highlighted

Step 4: Save as Draft​

  • Tap "Save" to save your announcement as a draft
  • You return to the announcements list
  • The announcement is now inactive (residents can't see it yet)
  • You can edit it later before activating

Editing a Draft​

  1. Find the announcement in your list
  2. Tap it to view
  3. Tap "Edit" button
  4. Make changes to title, description, or priority
  5. Tap "Save" to update

Activating Your Announcement​

When your announcement is ready to send:

  1. Open the announcement from your list
  2. Tap the "Activate" button
  3. A confirmation dialog appears
    • Review your announcement one more time
    • Confirm the priority level is correct
  4. Tap "Activate" in the dialog

What happens after activation: ✅ The announcement becomes Active ✅ All residents receive a notification ✅ Residents can open and read it ✅ Read status tracking begins ✅ You can see who has read it

Reviewing Read Status​

After you activate an announcement:

  1. Open the active announcement from your list
  2. Tap the "Read By" tab
  3. See:
    • ✅ Number of residents who have read it
    • 📊 Read percentage
    • 👤 List of individual readers with timestamps
    • ⏰ Exactly when each resident read it

Best Practices​

✅ Do:​

  • Be clear and specific - Use clear language, avoid jargon
  • Include dates and times - Always specify when something is happening
  • Use appropriate priority - Don't cry wolf with high priority
  • Provide contact info - Let residents know how to reach you with questions
  • Review before activating - Once sent, it can't be unsent
  • Follow up - Check read status to ensure important messages were received
  • Use formatting - Use line breaks to make announcements easy to read

❌ Don't:​

  • Create vague announcements - Residents won't understand what you need
  • Over-use high priority - If everything is urgent, nothing is
  • Send incomplete info - Include all relevant details
  • Use ALL CAPS - It's hard to read (except for emergency words like URGENT)
  • Post sensitive info - Don't include personal resident information
  • Forget contact details - Always provide a way to reach you

Tips for Effective Announcements​

💡 Frequency - Post when you have real news, not just to stay visible

💡 Clarity - Assume residents may read it quickly - make the main point obvious

💡 Length - Most readers skim, so structure with important info first

💡 Tone - Professional and helpful, even for emergencies

💡 Timing - Avoid posting late at night or weekends unless urgent

💡 Testing - Check how it looks before activating