Communication Systems

Effective communication is essential for coordinating burns with a group of volunteers.

 

The Foothills PBA has been using GroupMe for a couple of years.  They have found it to be significantly more effective than email, calling, and texting. 

 

All SFM-PBA members are cordially invited and encouraged to participate in GroupMe.  There is a GroupMe option for nearly everyone.  The only requirement for using GroupMe is to have a phone that receives SMS text - a smart phone, flip phone, or even a virtual phone like GoogleVoice or Skype.

 

Option #1, The App: 

Download the GroupMe app onto your phone and sign up for an account.  

 

Once you have a GroupMe account, here are the links to our three channels on GroupMe:

 

SFM-PBA Burns - announcements related to upcoming burns in our PBA

 

SFM-PBA Administrative Announcements - announcements related to meetings, updates regarding guidelines, financial updates

 

Training and ExtraCurricular opportunites - announcements related to training opportunities provided by the MDC or other agencies, requests by neighboring PBAs, etc.  

 

These three announcement channels are one-way, not interactive, to prevent notification bombing.  Burn announcements may include an invitation to join an interactive GroupMe channel.  The interactive channels work similar to group texts, where everyone can participate in the conversation.  

 

Option #2, Web Browser: 

If you've already created your account, you might also want to access GroupMe from your computer via your internet browser at Groupme.com.  

 

If you have the app on your phone at this point, then you can skip the rest of this message.  If you have any questions about GroupMe, please don't hesitate to reply to this email.   See you on GroupMe!

 

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Even though using the app on your phone and laptop are the most robust, fancy, fully featured way to use GroupMe, there are other options. If you have a flip phone or a virtual phone such as GoogleVoice, Skype, or some other VOIP service - you can still use a computer to sign up for an account to have more features and control.  You will then be able to use GroupMe via your texting service and through a web browser.

 

You will still be included in GroupMe conversations via text even if you don't create an account or download the app.