Members of the TMN-COT chapter have access to two e-mail lists (also called “groups” or “listservs”):

  • COT Chapter E-mail List.   All COT chapter members, including interns, are eligible to join this list.   New interns will automatically receive an invitation to join.   If you haven’t received an invitation, send an email to the TMN-COT webmaster, Neal McLain, at tmn.cot@gmail.com, and we’ll send you an invitation.   For information about using this list, see the E-mail List FAQ below.
  • Statewide TMN E-mail List.   This list is maintained by the TMN state office in Kerrville, and includes information about all TMN chapters.   All COT members, including interns, are eligible to subscribe.   For information about subscribing, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions about the COT E-mail List

  • Q: What is the COT E-mail List?
    A: The E-mail List is a “mass mail” e-mail relaying program for TMN-COT Chapter Members. Using the list, any COT member can send an e-mail message to all other members of the list.

  • Q: How do I send a message to the list?
    A: Send it just like any other e-mail message: address it to TMN-COT@googlegroups.com. You may add attachments (documents or photographs).

  • Q: How do I reply to a message I receive from the list if I want to have the reply sent to the entire list?
    A: Click “REPLY ALL”; then verify that the “TO” address line of your reply includes the list address TMN-COT@googlegroups.com. The “TO” line may contain other addresses as well; you may delete them if you wish.

  • Q: How do I reply to a message I receive list the list if I want to have the reply sent only to the original sender?
    A: Click “REPLY”; then verify that the desired address appears in the “TO” address line of your reply message.

  • Q: I can receive messages from the list but I can’t send a message to the list. When I try to send a message, I receive a message that says I’m not authorized. Why?
    A: Probably because you have two e-mail addresses, and you’re trying to use the wrong one. If you wish to send a message to the list, you must use the same e-mail address that the list uses. If you don’t know which address the list uses, open a message that you have received from the list and note the address in the “TO” address line.

    If you have a Brazosport College address, note that you actually have two e-mail addresses:
    ………….yourname@brazosport.edu
    ………….yourname@brazosport.cc.tx.us
    If you get a “not-authorized” message when sending from one of these addresses, try the other one.

  • Q: I sometimes receive e-mail messages from the list that appear to have been intended for some other member, but not for me. Why does this happen?
    A: Because the sender was trying to reply to a message received from the list, and inadvertently clicked “REPLY ALL” instead of “REPLY”.

  • Q: How do I view the archive of past messages?
    A: Go to http://groups.google.com/group/TMN-COT?hl=en.

  • Q: How do I find the e-mail address of other TMN-COT members?
    A: E-mail addresses for officers and committee chairs are posted here. For other COT members, refer to the printed address sheets that have been distributed to all members. If you don’t have a copy of this sheet, you can request one from the Chapter Membership Chair.

  • Q: I’m a member of the COT Chapter, but I’ve never received any messages from the list. Why?
    A: There are three possible reasons:

    • Your e-mail address may not be registered with the list. Please notify the Chapter Membership Chair, and we send you an invitation to join the list.
    • Your “subscription type” may be set to “no email” (a setting that allows you to send messages to the group and to view the archive, but does not send every message to you). If you wish to change your subscription type, please contact the webmaster at tmn.cot@gmail.com.
    • Your spam filter may be blocking mail from the list. Your spam filter must pass the address of every chapter member.

  • Q: I don’t wish to receive messages from the list. Can I remove my e-mail address?
    A: Send a blank e-mail message to TMN-COT-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com. Leave the subject line and the body of the message blank. Alternatively, you may notify the Chapter Membership Chair, and we will remove your address.

  • Q: I don’t have an e-mail address, but I have internet access at the Library. Can I still read list messages?
    A: Yes; simply go to http://groups.google.com/group/TMN-COT?hl=en.

  • Q: Can I send a message to the list from the Library computer?
    A: You must have a valid e-mail address in order to send a message to the list, and it must be registered with the list. If you don’t have an e-mail address, you can sign up for a free e-mail account from any of several companies. Three companies that offer free e-mail accounts are Google, Hotmail and Yahoo.

  • Q: Why is it sometimes called an “E-mail List,” and sometimes called a “Google Group”?
    A: Google hosts the list,and they call it a “group.” However, “E-mail List” is a generic term for the same thing. Google provides the service to us at no charge; in exchange for providing this free service, Google places “sponsored links” (an unobtrusive form of advertising) on the archived-messages page. For further information about Google groups, click here.


Information about the Statewide TMN E-mail list

Texas AgriLife Extension continues to host the Texas Master Naturalist Listserv program but recently changed servers for our subscribers. Those of you with a subscription should be automatically transferred to the new server. We expect service via the old server to disappear at the end of the year.

Many of you receive the list in digest form and will continue to receive from the digest of the new server.

The address for the new server is: tmn@listserv.tamu.edu

Future subscribers can enroll by sending a message to listserv@tamu.edu with a simple “subscribe tmn” in the body of the message. They will receive a response asking them to confirm this request, giving them both a web and email option for confirming that subscription.

Remember the listserv continues to be an excellent means of learning and sharing information for the our Texas Master Naturalist program. Over 600 members are enrolled. Please encourage others.

—Sonny Arnold, Assistant Coordinator
Texas Master Naturalist State Office
December 5, 2007