What is a Notification?
A notification is an alert about activity in Communicate—campaign/communication changes, assignments, comments, @mentions, request status, and campaign approval. You see them in the top-nav bell (Notifications) and optionally by email. For you strips on Requests, Campaigns, and Assignments are separate “waiting on you” cues—not the bell. Preferences live in User settings → Notifications. Full guide: Notifications.
Plan: Core campaign/communication alerts on Essentials and Plus. Assignment, comment activity, @mentions, and Requests events need Plus (preference rows may still show on Essentials). Campaign approval alerts fire when that flow is used.
Roles: Every signed-in role can open the bell and User settings notifications (including Viewers).
Why Do Notifications Matter for Church Communications?
They surface assignments, questions, and schedule changes without camping on the Calendar—so the right people act sooner and miss fewer deadlines.
How Do Notifications Work in Communicate?
Preferences (User settings → Notifications): sections Communications, Campaigns, Requests, Mentions. Per type: In-app and Email toggles (autosave).
| Section | Types (labels) |
|---|---|
| Communications | New communications; Communications rescheduled; Communication status updates; Draft due soon (2 days); Assignments on communications (Plus events); New comments on communications (Plus) |
| Campaigns | New campaigns; Campaigns rescheduled; Campaign status updates; Campaign starting soon (7 days); Campaign ending soon (3 days); Assignments on campaigns (Plus); New comments on campaigns (Plus); Asked to approve a campaign; Campaign approved; Approval undone |
| Requests | Assignments on requests (Plus); Status of your request (Plus). Form notify-on-submit email is not in Settings |
| Mentions | Mentions in comments |
Defaults: In-app generally on. Email on for assignments (including requests), new comments, mentions, request status, and campaign-approval types; other email types off.
Bell: Newest first; unread badge (e.g. 9+). Empty: You're all caught up! Actions: click to open related work, Mark read, Clear, or Dismiss (×) one item. Comment activity often groups under a COMMENTS summary; @mentions also appear on their own.
Email: Title, snippet, View details, preferences link (Update settings / manage preferences wording in the body).
When Should You Use Notifications?
Turn on types that match your job (especially assignments, request status, approval, and mentions). Turn off noise. Check For you for actions waiting on you, and the bell for everything else.
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I control what I get?
A: Yes—User settings → Notifications; toggle In-app and Email per type.
Q: Email too?
A: Enable Email on each type. In-app stays in the bell either way. Form Notify on submit emails are not in Settings.
Q: If I turn a type off?
A: You stop getting that alert; you can still open Calendar/Campaigns. Re-enable anytime.
Q: Notifications for everything in the org?
A: Preferences decide. Some types are broader (e.g. new campaigns); assignments notify the assignee; mentions notify the mentioned person if they can open that room.
Q: How long do they stay?
A: Until you Dismiss, Clear, or Mark read / archive via clear—use the bell actions, not an unlimited archive browser.
Q: Do I get alerts for my own actions?
A: Usually not (e.g. assigning yourself). Alerts are mostly others’ activity or system reminders.