GOOGLE GROUPS FOR BROADCAST EMAILS GOOGLE GROUPS FOR BROADCAST EMAILS TO THE CLUB From time to time it is important that we communicate to all Club members quickly and less expensively then we could by mail, for example when a hike is cancelled. On October 1, 2020 our Club joined Google Groups a free broadcast email service for sending emails to all Club members. Previously for about 10 years we used Yahoo! Groups for the same purpose. Presently about 95% of our Club members email addresses are set up in Google Groups and they will receive any broadcast email. When members change their email service and thus have a new email address it is important that they inform the Membership Officer (see Contact Us) so they can continue to receive broadcast emails. New members are asked to include their email address on the new member application form. The Membership Officer will automatically enroll them in Google Groups. HOW DO I SEND A BROADCAST EMAIL TO ALL MEMBERS? The process of sending a broadcast email to everyone enrolled in Google Groups (hopefully most club members) is very simple; you simply send an email to indyhike@googlegroups.com . Note, you will not be able to send a broadcast email if your email address is not enrolled in Google Groups. WHEN SHOULD I SEND A BROADCAST EMAIL? It is appropriate and desired that you notify all Club members by a Broadcast email of any hike cancellations, new hikes that have been added to the schedule after it has been finalized, or changes to currently scheduled hikes, like hike start time or revised driving directions. Also, the Board of Directors may send a Google Groups email reminding members of an upcoming event (e.g., annual picnic), or of a policy change (e.g., update to Covid-19 policy), or to advise that a new hike schedule is available on the website. Members may also use Broadcast emails for personal related Club business, such as soliciting a roommate for an away trip or ride sharing. Members also appreciate hearing about member health issues (e.g., member is recovering from fall on a hike). WHEN IS IT APPROPRIATE TO RESPOND TO A BROADCAST EMAIL? In most instances the content of a Broadcast email is purely informational (e.g., hike cancellation) and a response is not necessary or desired. In other situations were a response is appropriate (e.g., request to share a ride), than please select the option to "Respond to Sender", that way your response will only be addressed to the originator. It is almost never approprite to respond to everyone in the club, which selecting "reply" will do. NEED HELP? If you have any questions regarding Google Groups or your email address changes and you no longer receiving Club broadcast emails (they average about 1 per week), please contact our Membership Officer or our Google Groups administrator Joan Griffitts at jkgriffitts@gmail.com (preferred) or by phone at 317-297-7312.