COOS Launches New E-mail Initiatives

The CAS Committee on Online Services (COOS) has recently readied a Membership E-mail List for CAS members and E-mail Study Groups for those preparing for Fall 1998 examinations.

Membership E-mail List

On July 2, 1998, all CAS members with an E-mail address on file with the CAS Office (1,710 of 3,007 total members) received an E-mail message announcing the new CAS Membership E-mail List. This list will distribute CAS Office mailings, such as announcements and notices, to members via E-mail. Based on response to the initial E-mail announcement, COOS believes that some CAS members will prefer receiving CAS announcements electronically.

This new E-mail List service differs from CASNET, which is an E-mail discussion list allowing list subscribers to send messages. Only messages originating from the CAS Office can be distributed through the membership E-mail List.

While the system is being tested, members will receive both hard copy mailings and E-mail. Soon, members will be able to choose the method they prefer to receive CAS notices and announcements. As with the paper-based mailing list, CAS members have the option of being removed from the Membership E-mail List. To be removed from the list or to add your E-mail address to the distribution list, contact Mike Boa at mboa@casact.org.

E-mail Study Groups

E-mail Study Groups have been expanded to include an E-mail list for all Fall 1998 Exams (Parts 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 7, and 9). Heavy utilization of the pilot program for the Spring 1998 Exams prompted COOS to make the E-mail Study Groups available for all exam parts.

"We initially had anticipated that these forums would be used most heavily by higher level exam takers. The actual activity suggests that the opposite might be true," said Israel Krakowski, COOS Chairperson. "Given how useful the forums appear to have been, we decided to extend the benefit to the larger population of exam takers," Krakowski continued. "We will continue to monitor the various forums."

All messages sent through the E-mail Study Groups have been archived on a Web page within the CAS Web Site, which allows those late in joining the study groups to peruse the discussion topics.

COOS encourages experienced actuaries to join the E-mail Study Groups as mentors for those currently preparing for exams. Several individuals who teach exam preparation seminars have already agreed to participate and monitor the study group postings. To join an E-mail Study Group, visit the Students' Corner on the CAS Web Site.