Texting

Texting is now an essential means of communication. As with all other forms, it needs to be used well.

• Texting a whole group of people is impractical, but youth generally don't check their email very often. However, text messages can be sent to sub groups and/or your entire group using your email client and SMS. You need their cell phone number and their carrier. Then look up their carrier's SMS address and add it to the phone number. e.g. 5551231234@vtext.com (Verizon) Put these addresses in an email group address list. Then you can do an email to the group and it will be texted to those youth. Keep in mind that some SMS systems have character limits so you cannot send long messages (hence the name: Short Message Service – duh).
  
• Don't text the kids during school hours in case they forget to turn their phones off and they get in trouble. (Although this can be entertaining...)
  
• If youth don't show up for an important meeting, such as a training program, find one of the kids that did show up who have the missing youth(s) cell phone # and have them text them to see if they are coming. This usually gets results.
  
• Avoid texting too often.