Cyber Chat

   Dianna M. Gillard, Past Matron

   Samoset Chapter No. 109, Norwood, Massachusetts and

   Midlothian Chapter No. 85, Midlothian, Virginia

   Webmaster and Administrator of Cyber Chat

     I have set up a network where a Massachusetts member can e-mail me on the welfare of their chapter members and any special events that are going on in our jurisdiction.

 

Cyber Chat -    

     I started Cyber Chat in August 1995 as a Contentment Chapter e-newsletter when I was Chapter Secretary.  Since many of our chapter members were dual members, it overlapped to other chapters.  Before I knew it members from across the state were interested.  In 2000 I had to change from my e-mail program to a bulk mailing using my web host to get the word out to over 500 members. 

Sadness and Sickness and Distress -
    When deaths occur, we are able to quickly notify members and advise of funeral arrangements. We also report illnesses and other items of distress so that we "may give to our Sisters and Brothers, sympathy in their sorrows and aid in their misfortunes."

Chapter Notices -
    The agenda for the week is provided to encourage members to visit surrounding Chapters.  Information is gathered mostly from Chapter notices that are mailed to me. Many have asked to go one step further by having their own webpage on our website oestar.org (click on "Chapters" to see who has a webpage).

Web pages -

    Any Massachusetts chapter can have a FREE web page within our website.  This is a great opportunity for chapters to post their chapter notices.  Member's address or telephone number will NOT be posted for safety reasons.  Also, your news on illness or  joys of your chapter members will NOT be posted unless instructed to do so. 

    Just ask your chapter secretary or worthy matron/patron to email the chapter notice to cyber chat.  Or if you so incline, you may design your own web page and send the file to cyber chat. Please use FrontPage and only one web page per chapter. 

Special Events -
    Chapters submit information about upcoming Friendship Nights, anniversaries and other events, inviting all to come visit and join in the fun.

Reports on Events -
    Following Official Visitations, Friendship Nights, and other activities, reports appear in Cyber Chat. Members who were unable to attend the event, can read about it in Cyber Chat. This information is sent to cyber chat by members that are on line and who attended the event.

Special Requests -
    Members have asked me to share flyers to our members on Cyber Chat.  I have converted them to a .pdf file so that they can be opened by everyone.  There is a complete list of flyers for your viewing only.

    Chapters have solicited for Chapter furniture, members have requested items for special projects from previous years, and others have requested programs or skits. It is sharing and networking at it's best.

Special Recognition -
    Members have been recognized on Cyber Chat when awards were received for their labors in Eastern Star, the Masonic family and other personal achievements. We share information about the good fortunes of our members.

Success -
    Many of our members visit other jurisdictions and form new friendships. Cyber Chat has become so popular it has included information on other jurisdiction's   sadness, sickness and distress among their present and past grand families.

Jokes and Cute Stories Not Included -
    The cute stories, jokes and scam warnings that are on the Internet are not included on Cyber Chat. They circulate quite well without any additional help. Attachments are discouraged in an effort to avoid viruses. Only flyers that are known to be coming will be opened.  Most flyers were sent to me by our A.G.M shortly after her All State to share with our members.

To Subscribe -
    On our open page (home) scroll down and fill out the Mailing List form.

    Once you have filled out the form on the opening page, you will receive an e-mail from my server asking you to "confirm" that you want to be placed on the "mailing list".  

    Click the URL that is in that e-mail (not oestar.org).  As soon as you do it will bring you back to the website.  Your e-mail address will be activated at that moment.  There is nothing else to do at that point.  You can close the website or enjoying the various files within this website.

What you can do -

    To send an e-mail of the joys, sorrow, distress, of your Chapter members, or special events taking place in your chapter, please e-mail me at webmaster@oestar.org  Be sure to type the complete name of the member you are reporting on and their chapter number along with their address so that we can send a card of cheer or a card of sympathy.

    Thank you!

Tune: Let me be the channel of your peace