New Communications System
11/2/2011
Dear friends in Christ:
I want to inform you of a new communication tool we have at St. John's. We are going to be using the Notify Now system. The company that manages Notify Now, TRZ communications, describes the system as
"...a telephone notification system that allows businesses, educational institutions, sports teams, religious organizations and social clubs to deliver important news/information to members, employees, contractors, clients and/or customers quickly, efficiently and inexpensively."
I used this system at the church I previously served, and it truly is easy to use, inexpensive, and effective.
Let me explain how the system works. We, the client, can send a Notify Now message from any telephone, at any time 24/7, to any telephone number on our contact list. The church can send up to a 2 minute message by dialing an 800 number, entering a password, choosing the correct call list, and recording a message. Within minutes, the system dials the telephone numbers to deliver the recorded message. We can even have up to 99 sub-lists on the system. For instance, if I wanted to notify the chancel choir that practice will be cancelled due to inclement weather, then I would choose the sub-list marked chancel choir and the message would only be delivered to those choir members.
We have entered into the system the phone numbers that we currently have on file. If your phone number has recently changed (even within the last year), we need the updated number so that you can receive the messages. We know that many people have one to using only cell phones and do not have a land-line. The system will deliver the message to any number, so you will receive it on your cell phone if that is the number you choose to have on file.
I will be recording a test message to be delivered on Thursday, November 10th at 6:00 p.m. If you do not receive the message, then chances are we do not have your correct phone number. It is important that we get the correct numbers loaded into the database so that messages are delivered to as many people as possible. This is particularly important when the system would be used for emergency items such as church being cancelled due to snow or something of that nature. If you are not home to pick up the phone and receive the message, the system will either leave a message on an answering machine or attempt to call you again at a later time (for a total of three attempts).
I believe this communication tool is effective and will help us stay connected with important information passed on quickly. The issue of communication can always be improved upon. I hope you find this system to be useful as well. You can look forward to receiving some messages soon!
With Christ's love,
Rev. Steve
What do you think?