Streamlining how WAQK connects online
Simpler, clearer, more connected: WAQK’s online update. As a newly incorporated organisation, WAQK is growing along with our community. And so is the way we connect with each other.
Like many grassroots groups, our digital spaces developed naturally over time. We started with a private Facebook group, added an Instagram account, and created a separate members-only Facebook group when we launched the membership program. For a while, this informal set-up worked well. But now that we have an effective website and email platform, we can see the need for a clearer and more connected approach.
We’ve also heard from many of you that things could be easier to follow. Some of our platforms are not linked. We don’t yet have a public Facebook page for expanding our reach. And our WAQK Inc members-only Facebook group has not taken off. With the right tools and support now in place, we are refreshing our online set-up to make things simpler and more effective.
Here’s what’s changing
We are launching a public WAQK Facebook page
This new page will be linked to our @waqk_community Instagram account and the existing private WAQK community group. It will make our events easier to find and share, allow affiliate organisations to tag WAQK, and help promote our membership program and benefit partners. It will also strengthen WAQK’s public profile.
To support privacy, the visibility of who likes the page will be restricted. Other users will only be able to see your name if you are mutual friends. This setting helps ensure that your connection to WAQK is not publicly visible unless you choose to share it.
We are closing the WAQK Inc members-only Facebook group
This group never really gained traction. We’ve found that members prefer to connect in the main community group, and having an extra group adds confusion. Removing it will also help make WAQK feel more connected and inclusive.
We are keeping the existing WAQK private community Facebook group
This is the group most people already use to connect. It will stay private and remain the main space for peer discussion and connection. It will be clearly described as a community space and linked to the new Facebook page.
All events will be published through the new public Facebook page
Publishing events through a public page makes them easier to find, share, and promote. If an event is members-only or intended for a specific audience, that will be clearly stated in the event description. To help protect your privacy, the RSVP setting will ensure that attendees can only see other guests who are their mutual friends. This means your attendance will not be publicly visible to the full event list, only to the hosts and your shared connections.
Subscriber news and exclusive member updates will come by email
Our new website has allowed us to set up a much more effective email system. We have seen stronger engagement through email and will continue to use it as the main way to share subscriber news, and a range of exclusive member updates and opportunities. These emails will continue to come from admin@waqk-au.com, so we recommend adding that address to your contacts or favourites to make sure you don’t miss anything or have messages land in your spam folder.
More info
These updates reflect a combination of member feedback, user engagement data, and expert advice from our digital platform manager. The proposal was submitted by our Membership Officer and approved by the WAQK Board at the June 2025 meeting. The changes will be complete by Tuesday 1 July 2025.
If you have any questions or feedback, you are welcome to contact us at admin@waqk-au.com.