BSATroop535@googlegroups.com Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I send email to the scouts and parents?
A. Email bsatroop535@googlegroups.com. If your email address, the one you are using when you send email to the troop, is part of the bsatroop535 google group members list, then your email to bsatroop535@googlegroups.com will be delivered promptly. If, however, your email address is not recognized as a member of the group, then your email will will bounce back to you with this subject line: Posting error: bsatroop535, along with a link to instructions on how to join the group so that you can send it email, after your membership is approved by the group owners.
Q. How does Troop 535 use a Google Group?
A. Troop 535 uses the private Google Group called BSATroop535 for communications within the Troop between Scouts and parent volunteers. This private group can almost be used just like any other email list, but not quite. Because it is private, only members can send mail to the group. If you send a message to bsatroop535@googlegroups.com from an email address that is not recognized as being part of the group, then your message will bounce back to you.
Q. Do I need a Google Account to use the bsatroop535 group?
A. NO, you do not need a Google Account. Any email address can be used to join the group, and then you will be able to send email to the group from that email address. However, here are some other things that you can only do if you do have a Google Account, followed by the list of things that do not require a Google Account:
Activities that DO require a Google account:
Reading the bsatroop535 messages on the web instead of in email
Posting a message via the web instead of sending an email
Joining the group via the web interface
Changing your subscription type (No Email, Abridged Email...)
Sending an email invitation to someone else to join. (After they click to accept the invitation, an administrator must approve their membership before they will be added.)
Upload Photos to Troop Photo Database
Activities that DO NOT require a Google account:
Joining with your own email address.
Receiving group messages in your email inbox.
Sending messages to bsatroop535@googlegroups.com (but they will only get through if you send the message from the same email address where you receive bsatroop535 group message).
View public photos in the Troop Photo Database
Source: Google Groups Help: Do I need a Google Account to use Google Groups?
Q. Why do we need a Google Group if we already have a good website, http://www.troop535.org/?
A. The bsatroop535@googlegroups.com list is just used for email communications. If you have a Google Account and join using it, then there is also an archive of all the email messages or discussions within the group, but other than that, there are no other web pages associated with this Google Group. It is really just a mechanism for managing a private email list for the troop.
Q. How do I add myself to the Google Group
A. On the homepage here: http://www.troop535.org, you will see a box. Enter your email address into the box and click subscribe. Follow the onscreen instructions from this point. Please note that your request must be approved by the Senior Patrol Leader.
Q. How do I un-subscribe from the Google Group
A. You can unsubscribe from the Google group by sending an email to bsatroop535-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com. By sending an email to that address, you will be automatically removed from the group.
Alternatively, you can login to the google group at: http://groups.google.com/group/bsatroop535 and change your personal settings to receive fewer emails, no emails, or unsubscribe completely.