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MailChimp, suggested by Skiprr, while complicated to me, appears to be the only option, thus far, that I might eventually be able to comprehend if given enough time.

I like the fact that each email sent only contains information for that specific recipient. I realize that may also be standard practice for the other methods shown, but they will require a third party to implement.

I live in constant fear that, using my makeshift method of using bcc:, I will one day reveal individual members' email addresses.

Can anyone address how secure addressee information is, as stored on MailChimp's server?

The ConstantContact would be too expensive for us. MailChimp does look promising. I've registered and sent a couple of test messages to my own addresses.

But there's a lot about how to use it that's over my head. I found a somewhat dated manual and downloaded it. I'll try to digest it as I'm able.

KC5AV wrote:I may be misunderstanding your needs, but have you considered creating something like a Yahoo group or a private/secret group on facebook? There would be no cost associated with either of those, and you would be able to control membership on either of them. The yahoo group would allow users to determine if they wanted individual messages, a daily digest, or no emails at all.

I guess I wasn't clear. We have a message board and a separate website. Both have the handicap that members must visit them.

The most common uses for the email list is to notify members when the range will be closed for mowing or other maintenance, when a workday will be held, or CHL classes being offered. You can't count on anyone visiting the sites to learn about these occurrences. The small number of members without email get recorded phone announcements.

One requirement that I overlooked is the ability to send without revealing individual email addresses, like I now use bcc:.

Even though Earthlink sends these messages, it is certainly less than reliable and the messages that are sent show "This IP address was found to be suspicious" when I analyze message. This is simply due to my sending these large distributions.

Something like this: http://www.webasyst.net/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

However, bulk mailing for this runs $69.95/month, which is too expensive for our needs. Was hoping someone would have experience with something similar.

Most of these appear to be written for fund raising or mass marketing.

I need a secure, online email service to use for a shooting club of nearly 900.

In 2007, I began using my Earthlink account and my computer based email program. The membership then was only a few hundred. It was reliable enough until May 2010, when Earthlink began scrutinizing large distributions. I submitted their bulk email form and they approved my usage, but there are still issues. Messages sent in this manner show suspicious characteristics when analyzed, so it's possible that some are getting trapped as spam, even though all members were asked to add the sender's address to their address book.

I also find myself unofficially, but absolutely limited to one such message per day. A second attempt locks all of my Earthlink mail accounts until the next day.

So it's past the point that I need something more efficient.

It should:
handle upwards of 1000 email addresses
allow the members to demonstrably opt-in or opt-out (we have recorded phone announcements for those)
be internet based, password protected, so that other authorized persons may use it
be secure, probably encrypted as club issues are private
if checked by email programs or spam filters, messages should not appear suspicious
have a reasonable cost

I could even envision, if the system is secure and capable enough, actually collecting votes on club issues in this manner.

This is over my head, but I seem to have inherited the task.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.