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Google Workspace Instructions

Welcome to Google Workspace

Setting up your Pembroke Citizen Journal account — about 15 minutes, start to finish.


Do the steps in order. Each step is labeled On your phone or On your computer so you know where you’re working. Setting up Gmail on your phone (Step 2) before turning on Two-Step Verification (Step 3) saves you a lot of hassle.

Step 1 · Set your password

On your computer
  1. Find the welcome email from Google or the PCJ admin team (check spam if it’s not in your inbox).
  2. Click Set password or Get started.
  3. Pick a strong password you don’t use anywhere else.
  4. If you’re prompted to set up 2-Step Verification right away, choose Set up later — you’ll do this in Step 3, after your phone is ready.

The link expires in 48 hours. If it’s dead, reply to the email and ask for a new one.

Step 2 · Add your account to the Gmail app

On your phone

Install the Gmail app if you don’t have it, then add your new PCJ account: tap your profile picture or initial in the top-right corner, choose Add another account, and sign in with your new @pembrokecitizenjournal.com address.

Do this before the next step. It lets you approve sign-ins with a tap instead of fighting phone-number delays. Adding the account this way keeps your personal Gmail separate — you can switch between them anytime from that same profile menu.

Step 3 · Turn on Two-Step Verification (required)

On your computer
  1. Go to myaccount.google.com. If you’re not signed in to your PCJ account, click your profile picture or initial in the top-right corner, choose Add another account, and sign in with your @pembrokecitizenjournal.com address.
  2. Security2-Step VerificationTurn on.
  3. Choose Google Prompt and approve it on your phone.
  4. Save your backup codes. Print them or store them somewhere safe.

You’ll see a red “Add more sign-in options” banner — that’s normal, ignore it for now. Add a phone number in a week or two; Google delays new numbers, so adding it later works better.

Step 4 · Find the shared folders

On your phone  or computer

Install the Google Drive app too, then look for two Shared Drives:

  • Media Assets — photos, video, interview recordings
  • Staff Resources — guides, templates, policies

Save work in Shared Drives, never My Drive. Files in My Drive vanish for everyone if your account is ever removed. Shared Drives belong to the organization and stay put.

A few safety notes

  • Google will never ask for your password or a verification code by email or phone. That’s always a scam.
  • Never share your password — not even with someone claiming to be from PCJ or Google.
  • Log out on shared computers.
Stuck? Contact Will Tavares — will.tavares@pembrokecitizenjournal.com · 781-850-5956. Happy to help by phone or screen share.