17 - How to Add a Comment

Comments let you respond to posts, ask questions, and engage in discussion with other members. This guide shows you how to comment on posts.

What is a Comment?

A comment is:

• Your response to a post
• A way to add information
• A place to ask questions
• Part of the conversation on that post

When to Comment

Comment when you:

• Have something valuable to add
• Want to ask a question
• Need to provide additional information
• Want to start or join a discussion
• Want to give more than just a “like”

Steps to Add a Comment

Step 1: Find the Post

Scroll through your feed or group to find the post you want to comment on.

Step 2: Find the Comment Box

Below each post, look for:

• A text box that says “Write a comment…” or “Add a comment…”
• A “Comment” button
• Existing comments with a reply option

Step 3: Click in the Comment Box

Click or tap in the text box.

The box will expand or become active.

Step 4: Type Your Comment

Type your message in the box.

What to include:

• Your thoughts on the post
• Relevant information or questions
• Respectful, constructive input
• Appropriate content for lodge setting

Example comments:

• “Thanks for posting this! Will you have vegetarian options at the dinner?”
• “Great turnout at the event. Thanks to everyone who helped!”
• “Do we need to RSVP or can we just show up?”
• “Brother John, you always throw a great fish fry!”

Step 5: Format Your Comment (Optional)

Some systems offer formatting:

• Bold text: Select text and click B button
• Italic text: Select text and click I button
• Line breaks: Press Enter for new line

Step 6: Add Emoji (Optional)

If available:

• Click emoji button (smiley face icon)
• Select emoji
• It appears in your comment

Use emojis sparingly - they’re not always appropriate for lodge communication.

Step 7: Preview Your Comment (Optional)

Before posting:

• Read your comment
• Check for typos
• Make sure it says what you mean
• Ensure it’s appropriate and respectful

Step 8: Post Your Comment

Click “Post,” “Comment,” or “Submit”

Your comment will appear below the post.

Step 9: See Your Comment

• Your comment appears in the comments section
• Others can see it (based on privacy settings)
• The post author gets notified (usually)

Commenting Features

Replying to Someone’s Comment

To reply to a specific comment:

1. Find the comment you want to reply to
2. Look for “Reply” button under that comment
3. Click Reply
4. Type your response
5. Click Post

Your reply:

• Appears indented under their comment
• Shows you’re responding to them
• They get notified

Tagging Someone in a Comment

To mention a specific person:

1. Type @ symbol
2. Start typing their name
3. Select from list that appears
4. Their name becomes a link
5. They get notified

Example: “@John Smith do you have the information about the meeting?”

Editing Your Comment

See How to Edit a Comment

Deleting Your Comment

See How to Delete a Comment

Liking a Comment

To like someone else’s comment:

1. Find the comment
2. Click the “Like” or thumbs up icon
3. Shows you appreciate their comment

Comment Etiquette

Best Practices

Do:

• Be respectful and courteous
• Stay on topic
• Add value to the conversation
• Ask constructive questions
• Acknowledge others’ points
• Proofread before posting

Don’t:

• Post inappropriate content
• Use all caps (looks like shouting)
• Attack or insult other members
• Go off-topic
• Spam or post repeatedly
• Share private information

Tone and Language

Remember:

• Written text can be misread
• Use friendly, professional tone
• Add context to avoid misunderstanding
• Emojis can help convey tone
• When in doubt, be more formal than casual

Appropriate Topics

Good topics:

• Lodge business and events
• Questions about posts
• Supportive messages
• Fraternal discussion
• Community service

Avoid:

• Political arguments (unless lodge decision)
• Religious disputes
• Personal attacks
• Inappropriate jokes
• Confidential information

Types of Comments

Asking Questions

Clear, specific questions:

• “What time does the event start?”
• “Do I need to bring anything?”
• “Is this open to all members or just officers?”

Providing Information

Helpful additional details:

• “For those who haven’t been, parking is on the west side”
• “Here’s a link to the form: [link]”
• “I can give rides from the east side if anyone needs”

Showing Support

Positive encouragement:

• “Great job organizing this!”
• “Looking forward to it!”
• “Thanks for all your hard work!”

Constructive Feedback

Helpful suggestions:

• “This is great! Could we also include…”
• “One suggestion: maybe start 30 minutes earlier?”
• “I’d love to help with this. How can I volunteer?”

Notifications About Comments

When You Comment

The post author gets notified (usually).

When Someone Replies to You

You get notified when someone:

• Replies to your comment
• Tags you in a comment
• Likes your comment (depending on settings)

See Contact Preferences to manage these notifications.

Privacy and Comments

Who Can See Your Comments

Comments follow the post’s privacy:

• Post is “Members Only” → Only members see comments
• Post is “Public” → Anyone sees comments

Your Comment Visibility

Remember:

• Anyone who can see the post can see your comment
• Your name is attached to your comment
• Even if you delete it, others may have seen it

Officer-Only Posts

Some posts only officers can comment on:

• You’ll see the comment box only if you’re authorized
• If you can’t comment, it’s intentional

Managing Multiple Comments

Following a Discussion

If many people are commenting:

• Read through all comments before adding yours
• Make sure your point hasn’t been made
• Reply to specific comments if relevant

Unsubscribing from Notifications

If you commented but don’t want more notifications:

1. Look for “Unsubscribe” or “Mute” option on the post
2. Click it
3. You won’t get more notifications about this post

Troubleshooting

Can’t See Comment Box

Problem: No place to type a comment.

Possible reasons:

• Comments are disabled on this post
• You don’t have permission to comment
• You’re not logged in

Solutions:

1. Make sure you’re logged in
2. Check if post says “Comments disabled”
3. Try liking the post instead
4. Contact post author if you need to respond

Comment Won’t Post

Problem: You click Post but comment doesn’t appear.

Solutions:

1. Check for error messages
2. Make sure you’re logged in
3. Try making comment shorter
4. Remove special characters if any
5. Try refreshing the page
6. Try a different browser

Comment Appears Then Disappears

Problem: Comment posts but then vanishes.

Possible reasons:

• Awaiting moderation approval
• System error
• Comment violated rules and was auto-removed

Solutions:

1. Wait a bit - may be pending approval
2. Refresh the page
3. Try posting again
4. Contact webmaster if persists

Can’t Tag Someone

Problem: @ mention doesn’t work.

Solutions:

1. Make sure you type @ then start typing name
2. Select from dropdown list that appears
3. They may not be in the system
4. Feature may not be available
5. Try typing their name without @ symbol

Too Many Notifications

Problem: Getting too many emails about comments.

Solution:

• Adjust notification settings
• See Contact Preferences
• Can set to digest or turn off comment notifications

Commenting on Old Posts

Can You Comment?

Most systems allow commenting on old posts unless:

• Comments have been disabled
• Post has been locked
• Too much time has passed

Should You Comment?

Consider:

• Is the information still relevant?
• Will anyone see your comment?
• Would a new post be better?

For very old posts: Creating a new post might be more appropriate.

Special Comment Features

Pinning Comments (if available)

Authors or moderators might “pin” comments:

• Important comment stays at top
• Makes key information visible
• Usually for official responses

Hiding Comments (Moderators)

Moderators can hide inappropriate comments:

• Comment removed from view
• May show “[Comment hidden]”
• Author can still see it (usually)

Comment Approval (if enabled)

Some groups require approval:

• Your comment won’t show immediately
• Moderator reviews it first
• Appears after approval
• Prevents spam and inappropriate content

Need Help?

Contact your lodge secretary or webmaster if:

• You can’t post comments
• Your comments aren’t appearing
• You need help with formatting
• You see inappropriate comments that should be removed

Next Steps

• How to edit a comment
• How to delete a comment
• How to like a post
• How to create your own post