Big Changes to How Ascend Members Connect: Portal and Slack Updates

At Ascend WV, we’re always looking for ways to improve how members stay connected and access resources. Thanks to your feedback and survey responses, we’re excited to share some major updates that will make it easier than ever to get the information you need and build meaningful connections with other members—while reducing confusion across platforms. 

What We Heard from You: 

• Slack is overwhelmingly preferred for daily conversations and real-time communication, but members wanted a simpler, more unified structure that makes it easy to connect both locally and statewide. 

• The Portal is valued for accessing events and resources, but members reported technical issues, poor mobile usability, and confusion with the overlapping chat features. 

• You asked for fewer platforms, simplified navigation, and a clearer separation between community conversations and informational resources. 

These updates directly reflect your feedback—and we're grateful for the time many of you took to share your thoughts. 

What’s Changing 

Slack: One Workspace for Everyone 

We’ve consolidated all regional Slack workspaces into one statewide Slack workspace, creating a single hub for communication, questions, and connections. 

Here’s what you can expect: 

• Organized, private channels by location. 

• Statewide channels for announcements, events, and shared interests. 

• Bookmarks with quick links to local resources, Basecamp reservations, and more. 

• Automated channel assignment based on your location and interests. 

• A new #new-members public channel, where new members can connect, ask questions, and get to know the community before they complete onboarding. 

Note: New members will only have access to public channels, including #new-members, until they complete onboarding. Once that’s complete, they will be automatically added to their private location-specific channels. 

If you're interested in helping us moderate the #new-members space and welcoming new members, please reach out to paris.winfrey@mail.wvu.edu. We'd love your help fostering a supportive, inclusive environment. 

Slack remains your go-to space for daily conversations, connecting with other members, and staying informed. 

Portal: Streamlined, Resource-Focused 

We’ve removed community chat, forums, groups, and member directories from the Portal to focus on what it does best: providing location-specific resources and information. 

The Portal now includes: 

• Location-based homepages for each Ascend community. 

• Easy access to event calendars, Basecamp reservations, and gear library tools. 

• Relocation resources and guides (desktop only). 

• New member onboarding programs. 

• Blog updates and program information. 

• Improved mobile experience—even without the app. 

• No sign-in required to view event pages from notifications. 

How the Transition Will Work 

We want this transition to be as smooth as possible for all members. Here’s what to expect: 

• Starting July 14th, we will begin migrating data from our existing regional Slack workspaces to the new consolidated statewide workspace 

• You may notice some channel names changing as we align everything with the new structur 

• Our plan is to bring all public conversations and members to the new workspace—this process should be seamless on your end 

• If you experience any issues, missing channels, or access problems, please contact paris.winfrey@mail.wvu.edu 

• Once the migration is complete, we will begin sunsetting the old regional workspaces 

• Portal updates will also go live on July 14th, including simplified navigation, updated location pages, and improved mobile functionality 

Thank you for your patience and feedback as we work to make these tools clearer and more useful for everyone. 

A Quick Note About Unofficial Groups and Spaces 

We know Ascend members naturally form connections beyond our official platforms—and we love seeing that community spirit grow. However, to avoid confusion: 

• Only groups, chats, and pages created by Ascend WV staff are considered official Ascend community spaces 

• Please do not use the Ascend name, logo, or branding for any unofficial groups or platform 

• Unofficial spaces are not monitored or endorsed by Ascend WV, and we cannot ensure they are inclusive of all members or aligned with our community Code of Conduct 

If you create or participate in unofficial groups, we encourage you to: 

• Clearly communicate that the space is not an official Ascend WV community space

• Avoid using naming or branding from Ascend WV or any affiliated brands

• Foster welcoming, inclusive conversations consistent with our community values 

If you have a platform or space where you’d love to see an official Ascend community presence, please reach out to your coordinator, support, or our leadership team. 

Our only official community spaces at this time are: 

• The Ascend WV Slack workspace 

• The Ascend WV LinkedIn community 

Thanks for Your Feedback! 

These changes reflect your suggestions and experiences—and we’re committed to keeping our tools clear, useful, and aligned with what members need. 

Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, reach out with questions or ideas!