Web Administrator's Guide
Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Communications

Communications Manager

Features

The Communications manager allows you to email specific groups of people based on selective or elective membership in groups within your site.

User Permissions Required to Send Communications

  • Site-Wide Editor or Group Editor
The message you create must be generated using the editor we provide.  Please do not import content from any outside source.  This can cause problems with email, resulting in duplicate messaging and possible email server issues. 

Setup

   Communications Manager Settings 
  1. From: Type the email address of who the message is from.
  2. To: Select the group or groups you want to receive this message.
  3. Copy: Enter an email address that you would like to receive a copy of this message.
  4. Subject: Type in the subject of the email.
  5. Input the email message into the editor box. 
  6. Select the "Send" button at the bottom of the screen to send the email.  You may also click the save icon on the Editor toolbar or the save icon in the upper right corner of your screen to send the email. 

Tips

  1. You can only send to 250 email addresses at one time.
  2. Make sure you test your email before you send it to your group of choice.  You can do this by sending the message to your own email address.
  3. The messages created in the Communications manager are done so in HTML format.  In order for those receiving your message to view it properly, they must have their mail client set to view HTML messages.  To make sure you are set to read HTML Messages, you can do the following:

Outlook Express

  1. Open Outlook Express and click Tools.
  2. Click Options
  3. Click on the "Read" tab.
  4. Make sure the box that is labeled "Read all messages in plain text" is not checked.
  5. If the box is not checked, click OK.
  6. If box is checked, uncheck it and click Apply and then OK.

Outlook

Since the Communications manager only sends in HTML format, that is the format Outlook will automatically display.  Its default is HTML format, so there is no need to change your settings, unless you are using an older version.  Most all of the newer versions of mail clients default to HTML format.