Text Feature (Add-On)

The text feature is an add-on that offers organizations the ability to send text messages to volunteers. The text messages can be direct messages, confirmation messages, reminder notifications and text invites. 

• Enabling Text Add-On
• Configurations
  • Requiring Mobile Phone Number on Volunteer Signup
  • System Text Notifications 
  • Opportunity Reminder Notification
  • Text Invite
• Volunteer Communication Preference
• Direct Text Messages
• Communication History
  • Inbox Summary
  • Profile 

Enabling Text Add-On 

The text feature is an add-on available for organizations, volunteer action centers and universities. 

To enable this add-on from the Accounts page, follow the Purchasing Add-Ons tutorial. Click the Activate button next to the Text add-on. 

Alternatively, you can enable the text add-on from the Notifications and Invites pages. 

Note: Additional information will be required to complete the setup after the add-on is activated.

Configurations 

Requiring Mobile Phone Number on Volunteer Signup 

Organizations can require volunteers to enter their mobile number during registration. 

1. From the Main Menu, click Website Integration.
2. Select Volunteer Signup.
   
3. Turn on Make Phone Required on Signup toggle.
4. On the Phone Type dropdown, select Mobile.
5. Click Save.

System Text Notifications 

These text notifications are system-generated messages sent to the volunteers. Most of them are notifications for approval, next steps, schedule updates and changes, etc. 

1. Click on the Main Menu, then System Configurations.
2. Select Volunteer under the Notifications section.
3. Notifications that have the Text template configuration are notifications that can be sent as text.
4. To edit the text message content:
   1. Click the Edit button next to the text notification.
      
   2. Click on the Text Notification tab and make the necessary changes then click Save.
      
5. To inactivate the text notification: Deselect the checkmark under the Text Status column.
6. To restore to original content: Click the dropdown arrow then select Restore Default. 

Opportunity Reminder Notification 

These text notifications are scheduled messages sent to the volunteers, such as opportunity schedule reminder and automated thank you messages. 

1. Click on the Main Menu, then Opportunities.
2. Select Opportunity Notification under the Settings section.
   
3. To edit the text message content: Under the ‘Reminder Text Notification’ or and ‘Automated Thank you Text Settings’, click the ‘Scheduled Date Text’ or ‘Automated Thank you Text’ link.
   
   
   Update the Text content, and click Save when done.
   
   
4. To specify the day(s) the text message is scheduled:
   1. Enter a date on the field for ‘Days Before Scheduled Date’.
   2. Select the checkbox for ‘Volunteer’.
      
   3. Click Save.

Text Invite 

These text messages are sent to the volunteers to request volunteers and teams to participate in the opportunity. 

1. Click on the Main Menu, then Opportunities.
2. Select Our Opportunities.
   
3. Click the dropdown next to the opportunity you want to send an invite, then select Manage Volunteers.
   
4. On the left hand panel, click Invites.
5. Click Create Invite.
   
6. Under the Setup step, the Text Invite section will be available where the text content can be modified.

Note: Currently, the invite will be sent as both Email and Text.

For the complete steps on sending an invite, follow the Private Opportunities & Invites tutorial.   

Volunteer Communication Preference 

Under Communication Preferences on the volunteer’s profile, the ‘Text’ checkbox will be available. Following are the types of text messages: 

• Opportunity reminder notification 
• Opportunity next steps 
• Opportunity invites 
• Admin messages 

By default, all text types are selected. To opt out a volunteer from the text messages, edit the volunteer profile and deselect the Text preference or the specific text type. 

Note: You cannot opt out of the Opportunity Reminder Notification and the Opportunity Next Steps notification.

Direct Text Messages 

Admin can also send direct text messages to volunteers. 

1. Click on the Main Menu, then Participants/Volunteers List.
2. Select the check box next to the volunteer(s).
3. Click the ‘Selected Volunteers/Teams’ dropdown, then select Send Text.
   
4. Compose your text message on the pop-up.
   
5. Click Send to process the text message or click Save as Draft to save as a pending communication. 

Communication History 

The Communication History lists the text communications sent to the volunteers.

Inbox Summary 

This list displays all direct text messages send to the volunteers. You will be able to see the message, recipient(s) and delivery status of the text messages. 

1. Click Inbox, then select the Communication History tab.
2. Click the Summary button next to the text communication.

Profile 

You will also find the text communication on the volunteer profile Communication History section.