P-1 Changing the Content of Email Messages

Whereas electronic mail is the Institute’s main means of communicating with its members;

Whereas the Institute absolutely must rely on engaging a maximum number of members to succeed in its mission;

Whereas an email that simply contains a link to a web page generates little or no interest from members;

Whereas the email messages in their current form work against our goal of attracting and engaging our members;

Be it resolved that moving forward all email messages sent to our members automatically contain the entire message in the email itself and in HTML format, based on a template approved by the Institute’s Communications team;

Resolutions Sub-Committee Comments - The Institute has made major strides in the last year in increasing the number of HTML email messages sent. The Institute sent out 3,25M emails last year (2.4M plain text and 846K HTML). The Institute continues to implement tools and processes to increase the number of HTML emails while also moving forward on other IT projects identified in the strategic plan. This resolution, if passed, may impact the implementation schedule of IT projects.

HTML vs. plain text - Messages delivered as html can have some impact on usability by members. However, many members have challenges accessing html e-mail at work because of the employer’s system restrictions (CRA, Stats Can and DND to name three) which could impact 9,000 members in these departments who have chosen to receive e-mail at work.