Text Messaging in Directra

Edit the Contact Information section of your Member Page and add a mobile phone number. This will automatically allow other members to send individual text messages to your phone. If you also want to receive text blasts addressed to groups of members, check the Text box. (Notice that you can also set this phone to receive call blasts.)

When you first add a phone number to your Member Page, Directra will assume that it is capable of receiving text messages and will attempt to send messages to the number. (It will make this attempt with either a message from an individual or, if you have enabled blasting, as part of a text blast.) When the first text message is sent to the number, Directra will determine if it really is capable of receiving text messages. If it is not (for example, if it is a land line), Directra will stop attempting to send it text messages.

If Directra determines that the number is capable of receiving text messages, it will start displaying the option Block all text messages to this number on your Member Page. If you do not want to receive text messages on this number, check the box for this option. If you change your mind later, you can uncheck the option. Of course, you can also use the Text checkbox to disable blasting, but still allow individual members to send you text messages.

You can also block text messages to a number by sending the message STOP from the phone to the Directra short code, 45997. Note, however, that stopping text messages using the STOP command from the phone blocks all text messages for all Groups. The only way to re-enable text messaging after sending a STOP command is to send a START command from the phone. Re-enabling text messages on your Member Page will have no effect until you also send a START command from the phone.

From the Group web site you can send the following kinds of messages:

• Text Blasts
• Click-to-Text

From your phone you have these options:

• Enable or disable text messaging to your phone
• Send a text blast to multiple Group members
• Send a message to individual Group members
• Reply to a message from an Group member (including blasts)
• Initiate a phone (voice) call with an Group member

See Using Your Phone for Sending Text Messages for details.

When you complete a text blast, either from the Directra web site or from your phone, you will receive an email message detailing the results of your blast. You can also use the Blasts home page gadget or select the Blasts view on the Communicate tab to review the status of individual blasts. See Viewing Blast Results for details. When you send a text blast from your phone, Directra will also send a short text message to the phone summarizing the results of the blast.

When sending other messages from your phone you will receive a message if Directra was not able to send your message. (For example, Directra may not be able to identify the message recipient.) The message will tell you what you need to do to successfully send your message.