What is a message board?  Why create a school message board for Teelin?  It is a virtual bulletin board that people can use to post questions, announcements, and useful tidbits of information for all to see.  This message board will be a valuable tool for anybody and everybody associated with Teelin!  (It is not the same as a chat room.  You can visit the message board just to read, there is no log in required.) 

Do I have to have a “user membership” to post a message?  No. When you post a message, you must include an author’s name, but it can be whatever name you choose.  Including a link to your email address is an option.  (It is possible to create a "user account" with VoyForums that may be used for any VoyForums message board.  User login is required to use the "Edit" feature, but not required for general posting privileges.  For more information, click on the VoyForums logo.)

Is it password protected?  No, anybody can access this message board.

How will it be monitored?  Shawn Riley and Meg Ortel have both been established as “Moderators” for this message board.  Moderators (sometimes referred to as "the Mods") have the ability to remove any messages posted on the board.  If you see something that should be removed before Shawn or Meg sees it, contact one of us.  Moderators have access to the board from any computer anywhere.

For what purposes will this message board be used?  Here are just a few examples:

• “My daughter is missing her ghillies.  Did anyone from the Wednesday evening class accidentally bring them home in their bag?  Thanks for checking!”

• “Reminder to the Homeschool and Tiny Toes Classes:  Maureen has a doctor’s appointment next Wednesday, so those classes will not be held.  Make-ups will be the following Wednesday of Spring Break.”

• “My dancer just outgrew her size 2 Fays hardshoes.  I’ve posted them for sale on the Teelin Used Gear bulletin board.  Does anyone have a pair of size 3 1/2 Fays hardshoes for sale?”

• “We’re going to the Delaware Feis this weekend.  Does anyone want to carpool?”

• “Remember that the Celtic Festival is this Saturday, and Teelin is performing at 4:30.  Come check it out!  Also, performers need to be at the studio for rehearsal by 2.”

• “The t-shirt orders are in!  Pick them up this week at practice or contact Kathy.”

• “We still need volunteers for the Open House, especially from noon thru clean-up!”

Can’t this kind of information just be sent by email or posted on the website?  Yes, it sure can, and it will continue to be!  However, a message board is much more accessible than emails.  It also allows more freedom for questions, comments, and modifications to information about current events than the website.  Truly important information will be posted on the website, sent by email, and referred to on the message board.  But examples like the first, third, and fourth messages above are perfect for a message board.  People can then respond to a thread (message series) with answers, comments, more questions, etc for all to see.

What should NOT be posted on the message board?  Last names, telephone numbers, email addresses typed openly in a message, “bashing” of any sort, or anything that might embarrass someone or reveal private/personal information.  Remember, this is an “open” board.

How do I get started?  First, read the board.  You'll see the advertisement banner from VoyForums at the top of the page (this is a "free" service, after all!), and our Teelin logo underneath with links to return to this page or to go to the Teelin home page.  Read below for the "anatomy" of a message board...

What is a thread?  A thread is a message series that appears as a bold-font bullet displaying the "message subject" and regular-font "message content" below.  To start a new thread, scroll to the bottom of the message board and fill in the form entitled "Post a New Public Message".  To respond to a thread, click on the blue-font "Post a Reply to this Message" located under the message content.

How do I read the replies to a message?  The subject of the replies will appear as indented bullets in blue font.  If the reply is fairly short (less than two sentences), the entire message may be posted in the subject line so that it can be viewed openly.  This will be indicated by (NT) at the end of the message, which means there is no further topic information enclosed in that message.  Important!  If you do not see (NT), you should click on the message to read the content of any message that may be of interest.  Conveniently, your browser will then display the messages that you have read in dark blue font, making it easier to track the new messages that are not yet read.

Are you ready to have some fun?  Networking among Teelin families builds school spirit!  The tone of this message board will remain informative, yet playful.  We hope that you enjoy this opportunity!  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.