I'm still finding my way around the new forum software. Is there a straightforward way to create a custom widget? I just want a block where I can add my own snipped of HTML and place it where I like a la the core widgets and make it available to members only.

You can use this widget. It does what you want:

Ta.

How is this different from the IP.Pages custom widget? 

You can use this widget. It does what you want:

​Thanks for the link