The Band Boosters would like to announce the latest option to receive urgent information on Big Red Band and Booster activities. Boosters and members can now subscribe to receive free * ( * your cell phone carrier will charge you the normal rate you pay to send/receive text messages )text alerts on their cell phones.  Text messages will be limited to extremely time sensitive band and booster announcements and are not intended to replace the email notifications, nor will they be issued as frequently as emails.  It is anticipated that text messages will only be sent out for such things as last minute performance and /or rehearsal time changes, such as the recent announcements that the Band would not participate in the Friday Football game, due to the weather, the announcement that the Saturday Competition had been canceled, etc.  In addition, text messages can be sent following competitions, football game and other events, announcing the approxtime that the members are due to be back at the school, so that parents can meet them at the school and and avoid the students having to wait alone. Additionally the boosters can also text subscribers with the results of a competition, the moment the results are announced or maybe sent as last minutes appeals for booster volunteers 
 
The service the Boosters will be using, at least initially, is an ad supported service from TextMarks.  This allows the boosters to offer the service, with no charge to the organization. In exchange for offering the service for free, TextMarks reserves the right to insert advertisements of up to 40 characters at the bottom of messages.  
 
Here are the details:
  • TextMarks works on all major US carriers, including: Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint, Virgin, Cricket, T-Mobile, Alltel, and more
  • To Subscribe (join):
  • To Unsubscribe at any time: text " UNSUBSCRIBE bigredband " (again without the quotes) to 41411
  • The service is one-way, meaning the boosters can send a text to you, but you cannot text the boosters.  If you ever have an urgent question, please text it to 215-353-7278
  • While TextMarks might insert ads in regular messages, they will never send unsolicited messages.
  • All phone numbers are SECURE. - Since the entire subscription process is handled securely by TextMarks,  only a list ofcell phone number subscribed (no names) will be provided to the single booster contact that acts as the administrator. These cell numbers will never be shared or used to contact the  subscriber directly outside ofthe global text alert system, nor do any of the other subscribers have access to these numbers
If you have any questions or comments, please contact let me know at bigredmb@yahoo. com or by phone at 215-353-7278
 
Larry

You may have noticed the new Twitter Gadget on the Home Page. This allows us to post updates quickly from just about anywhere.

Two known issues.

1) I'm not sure how to set the automatic refresh rate (if there is one). I'm working on it. In the interim if you are checking frequently for a cancelation or update please hit the REFRESH or RELOAD button on your browser every few minutes to make sure you have the latest "tweet".

2) Twitter runs an unsecure server. If you're checking from a workplace computer the feed may be blocked (like mine, for instance) and you will see an empty box. Other than begging your IT department to allow Twitter through (Good luck with THAT!) your best bet is the new phone text alert system. (See above.)

Ed

Committed to the Souderton Area Band Programs and its Members

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