Speak2 Pals

Create your virtual pen pal program

Pals is a program that connects people outside the community to send messages to the entire community through our Community App. Some residents do not receive consistent communication with family or friends. The Pals program is intended to drive more communication and connection between residents and the community around them.

Setting up your first Speak2 Pal

Find the resident named "Speak2 Pal" in your resident list. You'll notice that this resident is Opted Out of social, so they don't appear on any lists.

Navigate to this user and invite the person managing the program in the community to the Community app. This person becomes the owner of all Speak2 Pal access. It's the same process as inviting a family member to manage a resident's address book using the Community App. 

1. Go to the Resident "Speak2 Pal" Record
2. Click their name and the first tab is Address Book
3. Go to App Entered section
4. Check "Community" (Family) app
5. Add their phone number and email
6. Click Announcements (Optional)

Adding users as Speak2 Pals

• The Speak2 Pal manager invites anyone who wants to send messages to the community through their Community app. See right: 
• Once a pal is added, they use the Community app to send text messages, audio messages, photos or videos. These messages are added to an approval queue. 
• When they are approved by the community, the message is sent to all residents in the community. 
  
  

Speak2 Pal examples: classrooms, religious groups, girl scouts, boy scouts, community centers, company volunteer requirements.

See here for a Speak2 Pal Guide

Approving Speak2 Pal Messages

Approvals

When messages are sent to the community, they go to the Speak2 Pal queue. Messages will have a time stamp, who they came from, and the text, audio, or video that was sent. The community can review the content and, if deemed acceptable, press a button to broadcast the message to all residents.

Click Pals (left hand navigation) > Messages > Approve or Decline

Auto Approvals

If you have Pals that are known entities, such as a teacher or pastor, they can be marked as “Auto Approve,” and any messages from that user will be automatically sent to all residents. 

Click Pals (left hand navigation) > Auto Approvals. 

How do Residents hear Speak2 Pal messages?

Residents can hear the message by asking, “Alexa, what are my messages?” or as part of their Check In routine. 

Dialogues

The Pals can turn on/off the ability for residents to respond to the message based on their preferences.

E.g., An individual  Pal may not want to get personal responses that would imply a regular dialogue. But if the “Pal” is a classroom, they may welcome responses and make that a regular lesson in their classroom.