Adults involved with Scouting in Avon, and who already have access to email, can have an email address of the format forename.surname@avonscouts.org.uk   Email sent to the forename.surname@avonscouts.org.uk address is then forwarded to an existing email account. This page explains how the system works. Click here to set up an email forwarding account.

Q: What is the service?
A: As part of a contract for webhosting space, the County has the facility to set up email addresses within the @avonscouts.org.uk domain. Mail sent to these addresses is automatically forwarded to an existing work or dial-up account (or both). We do not offer our own dial-up service.

Q: What does it cost?
A: Nothing. This is a free service. You will obviously still pay any existing charges to your ISP or telephone company.

Q: Who can have an avonscouts.org.uk address?
A: The service is available to any adult member of The Scout Association in "Avon".

Q: What format do the addresses take?
A: Users of the service are allocated an email address of the format forename.surname@avonscouts.org.uk
Generic addresses can also be set up, for example, 999bristol@avonscouts.org.uk or somethingorotheresu@avonscouts.org.uk
Additional addresses are used for some people at county level - for example office@avonscouts.org.uk or webmaster@avonscouts.org.uk

Q: What happens to mail sent to the new address?
A: Using secure password protected software, members of the County Internet Team set up the address(es) to which your mail should be forwarded. When mail is received it is then automatically and instantly redirected to your "real" email address(es).

Q: Where can I have my email re-directed?
A: You can use any valid email address for your email to be redirected to. This can be, for example, your office email, your home email, or a web-based email service (like hotmail). Mail sent to the address with format forename.surname@avonscouts.org.uk can be sent to multiple addresses. So, for example, your mail could be sent to both your work and home email addresses.

Q: How will this affect my other email address/es?
A: It won't! You will continue to receive email in the existing way for mail sent to your existing address(es). In addition, you will also receive email sent to your @avonscouts.org.uk address

Q: What happens when I change email address?
A: You need to notify the emailadmin@avonscouts.org.uk of your new email address. Important: you will need to quote the password you entered on your sign-up form. This means you can change email address without having to tell everyone about your new email address. This will enable you, for example, to take advantage of offers from ISPs without having the burden of notifying everyone about your new email address.

Q: What can I use the address for?
A: The avonscouts addresses have been set up to help others 'guess' your email address, to promote our county website (www.avonscouts.org.uk), to give a more corporate image, to protect details of your employer, and to make it easier for you to change ISP. Whilst the email addresses were designed for Scouting use, they are not restricted to it.
You should note, however, that individuals suspended from Scouting may have their avonscouts.org.uk email redirected to someone else who can handle Scouting matters during their suspension.

Q: What do I need to do with my email software?
A: Depending on the email software you use, you MAY be able to amend the set-up or preferences so that your mail appears to come from your @avonscouts.org.uk address rather than your 'real' address. Some email software has a "reply to" option where the address to which replies to your email are sent, again you could set this to your @avonscouts.org.uk address. You should refer to the 'help' pages of your email software and any manuals for how to amend your sender details, or contact emailadmin@avonscouts.org.uk

Q: What if I don't have an email address?
A: To take advantage of this service you need to have access to an existing email account or to the internet.  Most people with @avonscoiuts.org.uk addresses have their email forwarded to an existing email address.  However, it is also possible to set up a "webmail" account which enables you to read and reply to emails through a webpage (works along similar lines to 'Hotmail').  It is also possible to set up a direct POP3 account for you (if you don't know what a POP3 account is, then you probably don't want one ;-) )

Q: What about 'spam'?
A: There is no reason why having an @avonscouts.org.uk email address should increase the amount of 'spam' that you receive.  Some basic 'filtering' of emails is carried out as part of the services provided by our Internet Service Provider.  We also use the services of an additional company to help filter-out spam.  If you can a lot of 'spam' from one address please advise emailadmin@avonscouts.org.uk so that we can amend our filtering accordingly.

Q: Is it only email forwarding available?
A: In addition to email forwarding (where emails are forwarded to an existing email address), we can also provide you with a POP3 email account and/or a 'webmail' account to check your email through a web browser.  For further information on these services please email emailadmin@avonscouts.org.uk or put a suitable comment in the sign-up form.

Q: Are the emails secure?
A: By definition, the internet is an insecure network of interlinked computers.  It can not be guaranteed, therefore, that emails sent through the @avonscouts.org.uk system are secure.  You can not guarantee that post sent by mail (snailmail) to your home address won't be intercepted on route.  You can not guarantee that emails sent to your existing email address are secure.

Q: What happens if I leave Scouting?
A: If you leave Scouting, then your @avonscouts.org.uk address will be deleted from our servers.  However, users are usually given plenty of opportunity to advise others of their new email address.  Alternatively, if you leave a role your emails may be forwarded to your successor, or someone that we anticipate could assist the enquirer.

Q: What happens if I am suspended from Scouting?
A: If you are suspended from Scouting for whatever reason, it is normal practice for the terms of the suspension to include a prohibition from you being involved with Scouting activities.  It is therefore normal practice during periods of suspension to either forward emails to someone who may be able to help (i.e. someone looking after your role), or to arrange for emails to 'bounce' back to the sender.

Q: Can I set up an "auto-responder"?
A: It is possible to have an "auto-responder" attached to your @avonscouts.org.uk email address.  If you have a 'webmail' account then you can administer your own auto responders.  Contact emailadmin@avonscouts.org.uk for more information.

Q: How do I sign up for the service?
A: You can join the service by completing the on-line form - just click here You will be advised when the new email address goes live.  Please note that the sign-up is not an automated process, so will take time to be activated.

Q: I've read all of the above, but still have a query.  Who can help?
A: Further information is available from emailadmin@avonscouts.org.uk

This service may be withdrawn at any time