mazakaal Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 I have somehow become the communications person in our homeschool group sort of by default. I don't mind letting everyone know what's going on, but it's a bit of a struggle because not everyone has e-mail, and some who do have it don't check it, and not everyone has a mobile phone. We have a website that people can check and a yahoo group, but no one is ever on the yahoo group, so that's a bit of a waste, and I'm not sure if anyone accesses the website either. The problem really comes up when plans change on short notice. I don't want to have to phone everyone, and when I do try phoning around, people seem to rarely answer their phones so I have to leave messages and hope that they're received. I recently found out that one woman can't even access her phone messages because they changed phone carriers and the message service is with the old carrier. I send out an e-mail, but then that leaves out those who don't have an e-mail. Sending a text leaves out those who don't have mobiles. Ack! Is there an easier way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lily_Grace Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Wow, that's tough. Maybe a phone tree would work better for your group? We have ours through Yahoo groups. It's sort of an unwritten acknowledgement that if you want to be in the loop, get your email in. Otherwise, oh well. We're so spread out that it wouldn't make sense to do it any other way. We do have standing meetup days each week so I guess info could be found out that way, but the email does make it so much easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbsweetpea Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Hmm that is a hard one. I am in two groups and this is how each one does it Group A- meets weekly - We have a meetup.com page, facebook page and usually call or text with each other weekly (only 20 families) Group B- Larger group that has several activities each week available. We have a yahoo group and facebook page. If anything changes the leaders or monthly planners send out emails. If someone can't get to a computer or have phone access I am not sure how you could let them know what is going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 We do a yahoo group. You're expected to keep abreast by checking email or calling someone. We had a few people still not on the new site but I think most everyone else is- I don't feel personally responsible though for everyone. I think if they care enough they will check. I don't feel like babysitting anyone and I won't do for others what they cannot do for themselves, we're all busy moms. That being said there wouldn't be last minute plan changes without good reason- ie weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2denj Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 I am in a homeschool group that communicates soley through facebook. It is great! Different people set things up and you can pick and choose the things that you are interested in and that work with your calendar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hedgehog Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 It's good of you to take on that responsibility in addition to all the other things a homeschool mom has to do. In this day and age, almost everyone can either access the Internet or they have a mobile phone, and many have both. I think I would be clear with people that if there are any last minute changes, you will text those who have given you a mobile number but no email, email the ones you have an address for, update the yahoo group/website, and leave it at that. Phoning around is time-consuming and I don't think you should feel obliged to do that. As a PP said, if it matters enough, people will check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lailasmum Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 We have a yahoo group and that is the only place I post changes. I just got to the point of being fed up with all the work of making sure people know what's going on. If they want to be involved they need to go to the effort themselves to find out. The other option you could try if you have a mobile and free or cheap texts is to set up a the phone numbers of every one you need to get info to as a group and then text a single message to that group. If people aren't making themselves easily contactable its not your problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 We have a yahoo group (some people read on the web, some elect to receive the emails). Almost all of us are on facebook. There are still people who don't have email (and who are not Amish)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeekingHim77 Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 I've been right where you are and man, it was a job trying to keep everyone informed. I finally made it everyone's personal responsibility to keep themselves informed rather than mine to inform them. It was the only way to keep my sanity. :001_smile: My kids still bemoan those years that I spent so much time on the phone. We use a facebook account and email to keep members abreast of upcoming events and activities. It is their responsibility to check in somehow. If they don't have email, they can check it at the library or call a friend who does. This has worked so much better for us and it put the responsiblity right where it belongs-unless you're getting paid to do this of course.;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 I'm sure that people can get access to the internet if they want it. Phoning everyone is way too time consuming. I'd either set up a Facebook page or send out emails. Our group communicates through email only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Website, email and facebook. Libraries offer internet access. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2att Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 I finally made it everyone's personal responsibility to keep themselves informed rather than mine to inform them. This. Our group communicates 100% via e-mail. I've often thought that if it came down to having to make calls to communicate, I would not lead the group. E-mail makes life soooo much easier. If people do not have access to e-mail, it is their responsibility to figure out a way to get that information, not yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 We have a yahoogroup. All communication is done through the yahoogroup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 My group communicates by email. If you don't 'do' email, you are responsible for gathering the information. I can't think of a single person who doesn't have email either at home or the library. Honestly, I would announce that it is a logistical nightmare for you to call everyone. I'd be willing to send out the info to the group via email and text. However, if a person doesn't communicate that way, they must take it upon themselves to call people. This includes checking in just before an event to assure there are no last-minute changes. Assign buddies if you must, but you can't track everyone down in an era of unanswered phones and full voicemail boxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Yahoo group and/or email. It would be very difficult otherwise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LND1218 Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Email! It's required. If you opt out of email, then they have to find someone to keep them up to speed on what's going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sushi's Mom Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Yahoo group. Everyone just sends emails through the group, so nobody has to go to the Yahoo group website. We just use our regular email and send it to groupname@yahoo groups.com. There are a few people that do not do daily email, so they have asked a friend to contact them if something important is sent. We also use the Yahoo Groups calendar. Anyone organizing an event puts it on the calendar themselves. They set it up to send an automatic reminder email. I would not like the Facebook or texting options as I do neither of those. A lot of our members ar the same way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mazakaal Posted September 20, 2011 Author Share Posted September 20, 2011 Okay, thanks for all the responses. I don't think anyone has facebook, so that is out. I will just try to keep e-mailing people, and if they don't have e-mail (or don't check their e-mail - grrrrrr), then they'll be on their own. I love that I can post to the yahoo group by just sending an e-mail. I didn't realize that I could do that. That will make it much easier to post to the yahoo group from my phone. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 What kinds of things change suddenly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 What you should do is get the word out that ALL communication will now happen through yahoo (including any last minute changes). Then do NOT make any exceptions. You are going to make yourself crazy if you allow everyone to think that it's your job to cater to them. We run our co-op through a website and I have told everyone that I will NOT call, email or text last minute changes (ex: one week we canceled because all of the teacher's kids were sick). It's their job to check the site. Full stop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Our co op has a yahoo group. If someone doesn't have email, internet access or a smart phone, that person would be responsible for finding someone to pass on important information. The burden for that would not fall on the leaders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 What you should do is get the word out that ALL communication will now happen through yahoo (including any last minute changes). Then do NOT make any exceptions. You are going to make yourself crazy if you allow everyone to think that it's your job to cater to them. We run our co-op through a website and I have told everyone that I will NOT call, email or text last minute changes (ex: one week we canceled because all of the teacher's kids were sick). It's their job to check the site. Full stop. ITA I consider it rather rude really to expect someone else to do that for you. It is a good way to burnout! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mazakaal Posted September 20, 2011 Author Share Posted September 20, 2011 What kinds of things change suddenly? Most recently it was the forest school. The woman who was going to start a forest school for us decided that she wasn't prepared to do so yesterday as planned. I thought that she had e-mailed everyone but started receiving texts and e-mails on Sunday night checking to find out what time, etc, so I had to send around an e-mail to everyone to let them know, as well as responding to the messages I had received. I just had to hope that everyone got the info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Our group has a monthly newsletter, a yahoo group, and email. Very few people don't have access to one of those things. The few who don't have a computer get a phone call or note in the mail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 We have a FB group, "The Island of Misfit Homeschoolers!" :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chepyl Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 All communication for our group happens through a yahoo group. You can get a daily or weekly digest or and email for every post. Most people do the last. Yell them that if theu don't have email the need to find a buddy to call them with last minute changes. Sort of a mini-phone tree, but only for those with no email access at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilovemy6kids Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 We have a google group and if you don't check it you are out of luck. We also have a phone tree for emergencies. We have used it for class cancellations due to weather and last minute field trip changes. I still wound up on the phone for a long time with the phone tree. I kept calling and leaving messages until I got a hold of someone to continue down the tree. Sheri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Mainly via yahoo groups. One group does both yahoo and FB but that is the teen group, and the teens are the ones mostly on the FB one. All messages go out to both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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