We’re excited to announce the launch of CMS5, the latest iteration of our content management system. While this is a technical launch with limited features, it introduces new functionality and builds on the foundation set by CMS4. We’re still working on adding more, like the Form Builder, which is currently in development. Here's what you need to know!

What’s New and What’s Familiar?

Some features from CMS4 will feel familiar, while others have been updated or redesigned to streamline your workflow. Basic functionality is fully included, and we’ve focused on ensuring that you can hit the ground running with the tools you use most.

Here’s a breakdown of some key features:

Features at a Glance

• Navigation & Content: The essential tools for building and managing your site are available, with a few changes.
• Chunks: These are blocks of content you can add to your pages. CMS5 includes:
  • Heading
  • Paragraph
  • Image
  • Video
  • Table
  • Horizontal Rule (Line)
  • Anchor

What’s Different in CMS5?

• Tabordion: We've combined the Accordion and Tabs from CMS4 into one chunk to simplify things. Now, managing these elements is much more convenient.
• Calendar Embed: In addition to embedding Google calendars, you can now also embed Outlook calendars.
• Chunk Library & Favorite Chunks: The Chunk Library, accessible from the toolbar, shows all available chunks on your site. You can also “favorite” chunks for quick access, making it easier to find the ones you use most often.

Other Changes

• Footer: The footer section is now more flexible, using familiar editor functionality, so you can create custom layouts that suit your needs.
• Gallery: Previously known as "Photo Gallery," each module now acts as its own photo album.
• Posts: We’ve combined the Blog, Spotlights, and News modules from CMS4 into a single Posts module, giving you more flexibility and control.

What’s Still in Development?

• Form Builder: This important tool isn’t part of the initial CMS5 launch, but don’t worry—it’s coming soon!
• Events: While this feature is live, it currently doesn’t integrate with the main Events Calendar on the homepage. That functionality will be added in the future.

Change Log

• The Editor now has fewer background color options to stay consistent with our branding and improve the look of your pages.
• Row themes have been simplified to two options:
  1. None (background and content constrained)
  2. Full (background wide, content constrained)

The third option from CMS4, where both background and content are 100% wide, is under review for a future update.

Next Steps for Migrating to CMS5

Ready to move your site over to CMS5? Start by registering for migration through our registration form. We’ll be reaching out to registered sites in the coming weeks and months to guide you through the migration process. Keep an eye on your inbox for more details and timelines!

As we forge ahead with the development of CMS 5, we're committed to keeping you informed every step of the way. Expect regular updates detailing our progress, including enhancements to existing features carried over from CMS 4 and exciting new additions exclusive to CMS 5. Be sure to revisit this space frequently to stay up to date with the latest CMS 5 developments and news.

Release Notes: 05/09/2024

CHANGE LOG

• Event Module now has a view details page for visitors to see the full information on a specific event. 
• Editor
  • Chunks that have a heading property now provide the ability to select the header size (large <H1>, medium <H2>, small <H3>) and the typeface (serif/sanserif)
  • There is now a new chunk library button at the bottom of the toolbar. This opens a popup of all the different chunks the CMS site has access to.
  • Favorite Chunks: each administrator can now choose their own favorite chunks from inside the chunk library. Those favorited chunks will appear in the toolbar.
    • Note: some chunks will always be in the toolbar. These chunks are set by the web team and cannot be favorited. 
• The navigation on the public facing side will now respect the show/hide dates that are set in the admin. 
• Site Index page has been added.
• Events and posts module has been updated to include a cleaner design. Overall padding has been increased throughout the site. 

As we forge ahead with the development of CMS 5, we're committed to keeping you informed every step of the way. Expect regular updates detailing our progress, including enhancements to existing features carried over from CMS 4 and exciting new additions exclusive to CMS 5. Be sure to revisit this space frequently to stay up to date with the latest CMS 5 developments and news.

Release Notes: 04/03/2024

CHANGE LOG

• File Manager - File Uploader
  • File size limits have been added. 
  • PNG uploads now have an option to be converted to JPGs. 
  • Images are not constrained by the file limit, unless uploading PNGs that are not converted to JPG. 

• Events Module Component Created for the Editor 
  • The component has a simple design that is subject to change following a design review process. 

• Calendar Chunk
  • Added to the Editor - the calendar chunk now supports Google Calendar embedding and adds new support for Outlook Calendars 

• Accordions (in the Tabordion chunk) now default to being closed.

BUG FIXES

• Content pages that selected specific header images to display will now have those header images displayed. 

As we forge ahead with the development of CMS 5, we're committed to keeping you informed every step of the way. Expect regular updates detailing our progress, including enhancements to existing features carried over from CMS 4 and exciting new additions exclusive to CMS 5. Be sure to revisit this space frequently to stay up to date with the latest CMS 5 developments and news.

Release Notes: 03/25/2024

CHANGE LOG

• Expanded Editor Functionality:
  • The editor, previously exclusive to Content pages, is now accessible in other CMS areas, including Footer and Posts Module.

• Flexible Column Layouts:
  • Enjoy the flexibility of 5 column layouts, allowing for more diverse page designs.
  • Achieve 2 column layouts using 4 or 6 columns and adjusting component sizes accordingly.
  • Similarly, 3 column layouts can be attained by utilizing 6 columns and adjusting component sizes to occupy 1/3 of the row.

• Column Customization Options:
  • Individual column components now support background colors, providing greater design flexibility akin to row backgrounds.

• Background Images Support:
  • Both rows and columns now support background images. Simply access row or column settings, change the "Background Type" to Image, and select an image directly from your site's File Manager.

• Introducing Tabordion Component:
  • The Accordion and Tabs Modules from CMS 4 have been merged and upgraded to a single component known as "Tabordion," which can now be updated directly within the Editor.
  • Users can easily toggle between Accordion or Tabs display types in the Tabordion settings.

• Unified Posts Module:
  • The new Posts Module consolidates and replaces the News, Blog, and Spotlights Modules from CMS 4, simplifying content management tasks.

• Gallery Module Redesign:
  • The Gallery Module, formerly the Photo Gallery Module in CMS 4, has received a redesign, offering an enhanced viewing experience for photos embedded within pages.

• Footer Revamp:
  • The Footer section has been revamped, replacing the "Contacts/Footer" section from CMS 4, and now offers full flexibility for content and layout adjustments using the Editor.

• Expanded File Manager Support:
  • The File Manager now extends support to PNG and SVG file types, broadening compatibility and enabling more diverse file uploads.

The Web Team is currently developing the latest iteration of the Content Management System, the CMS 5. The interface and how you edit sites will be very similar, but with updated visual appeal while maintaining its ease of use.

Why are we updating to the CMS 5? 
The CMS currently hosts over 700 websites and over 23,000 individual pages. One of the biggest reasons is updating the "backend" of the CMS to a more modern solution. Think of the CMS 4 as that 1993 Toyota Camry with 300,000 miles on it - it won't die, but eventually, it will need to be updated.  That's what this process is.
If you are interested in the technical side of things -the current CMS is written in Cold Fusion, a programming language that is as old as that 1993 Toyota Camry. We are developing the CMS 5 in PHP, which lays the foundation for future innovations and flexibility.

Will I have to learn something brand new?
Not at all. If you have used the CMS at all, you will find that the updated version looks, feels, and acts very similar to what you are used to. Check out the screenshots - you'll see that while it is visually different, the functionality of the CMS will remain largely the same.

When will all this happen?
Our goal is to have a test environment ready for use by the middle of 2024. In terms of when your site will be moved over to the CMS 5, we are hoping all conversions will be done in the next 2 years.

Do I need to do anything right now?
No. However, it may be a good idea to begin doing a self-audit of your site to see what pages could potentially be deleted. Eventually, we will begin reaching out to site administrators to see about moving their sites over to CMS 5.