This link should help you get your child theme ready to go – https://codex.buddypress.org/theme-development/building-a-buddypress-child-theme/
It sounds like the child theme you created might not be activated yet. Once you activate the theme you should see the changes straight away when you modify the child theme.
On a related note, I’d highly recommend using the stylesheet of your custom child theme wherever possible to manipulate the presentation of your content. If you wanted to change the style of the members directory, start your selector with body.directory.members like this:
`
body.directory.members a { color: #000; }
`
In the example above, I’ve just chained together the two body classes (directory and members) that are used in the default BP theme when viewing the members directory.
Source: Class selectors
One other note.
`
“I copied the bp-default containing the members directory and its files.”
`
You should not copy over the entire bp-default directory and its contents. Only copy over the individual file (and possibly directory) that you are trying to override.
If you copy over the entire bp-default directory into your child theme, your child theme would essentially be a standalone theme and you won’t benefit from using the bp-default theme when you upgrade. The parent theme would be ignored. Copying over only the specific files you are changing will also help you to see exactly what you’ve changed when it comes time to upgrade.
ah that may be the problem. i have my theme folder, and within that i have the bp-default. so i should pull out just the files or dir. within that, that are needed. thanks!
That worked, just needed to pull the “Members” directory out of the bp-default directory that i had in my theme. thanks!