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Overview

The script establishes a connection to ClickSend, which is used for sending SMS notifications, e.g. to member’s mobile phones. The script reads the contents of the membership, volunteer and speech therapist Sharepoint lists, then creates and populates populates several ClickSend contact lists (e.g. SpeakeasyMembers, SpeakeasyCarers, SpeakeasyVolunteers).

Where To Find It

Name of runbook: Speakeasy-ProvisionSMSDistributionLists
All Azure runbook scripts can be viewed via the following link: Azure RunBooks Home, then selecting the appropriate runbook name. The script is hosted in the cloud, using Microsoft Azure, because it is run on a scheduled basis.  See the following document (advanced users only!!) regarding how the script was initially created in the Azure environment: Creating a PowerShell script in Azure
This script is scheduled to run using a schedule – having selected the relevant script, click the see the “Schedules” link on the left hand side of the view. The script generates a log file which can be checked for errors.

Detailed Description of Operation

The script establishes a connection to ClickSend, which is used for sending SMS notifications, e.g. to member’s mobile phones. The script reads the contents of the membership, volunteer and speech therapist Sharepoint lists, then creates and populates populates several ClickSend contact lists (e.g. SpekeasyMembers, SpeakeasyCarers, SpeakeasyVolunteers).
A separate app will be created which then allows a Speakeasy administrator to send an SMS message in bulk to one or more of these contact lists. This technique is ideal for keeping members/carers up to date, e.g. if a meeting at Ramsbottom CC has to be cancelled at short notice. This is much quicker than manually contacting each member in turn. Also, an SMS message is more likely to be noticed by a member/carer than an email .
Contacts are only created where a relevant mobile phone number is available and the contact has a status which is active.  By using the Sharepoint  lists as the master source of information, we can make sure that these distribution groups are updated as new members/staff/volunteer/trustees are added, leave or individual contact details change.
Before populating each contact list, the script first deletes and re-creates it.
Note:: the digital certificate used to provide this PowerShell script with access to Exchange and Sharepoint has been configured with an expiry date of 11/04/2023, so will need renewing on or about that time. The certificate can be seen here:
Follow the relevant information in the document link to create and upload a new certificate with an updated expiry date: