Have you had someone ask you about an email that they received from NAIFA and when you check your own inbox, that email is not to be found? It may leave you wondering why that person received the email and you did not. The answer is not as straightforward as you may think. There are a few reasons this may happen. Continue reading to learn more about why this can happen and how we can improve.

1. NAIFA uses multiple platforms each with email notifications as part of their functionality. This means that each one has a different opt-out/in and unsubscribe list. Sometimes, you might not get an email because you may have unsubscribed from that email subscription type, or globally opted out of that particular platform. It is important to note that if you forward an email to someone who then unsubscribes using the link from your email, it will unsubscribe you from that list or platform. When in doubt, it is best to take a look at the web version of the email and take that URL if you would share the information with someone else. You can access the web version by clicking "View in browser" link in the email.

2. Staff are human. Many times emails are sent to our current, active membership list, which may or may not include a staff person if that staff person is not an active member. Staff is a manual addition to any email. Simply put, it is an oversight. A reminder has been sent internally to remind our staff to include NAIFA staff on all emails manually sent.

3. We have emails that are based on opting into receiving email. We do not automatically opt NAIFA staff into receiving these email notifications. For example, a member could receive an email from FinancialSecurity.org and you have not seen it because you have not signed up for this email subscription.

4. We have a new members-only newsletter that is based on the individual's consumption based on A.I. Staff do not receive this because it is just a member benefit and the content included is specific for each person. Therefore, we cannot send a copy saying, "here's what was sent this week." The content of these newsletters is covered in our monthly calls, cohort calls, and other committee/working group calls that volunteers attend.

5. Several of our platforms will stop sending emails if the recipient is not opening emails during a certain time period. This is based on best practices and the philosophy that email is a permission-based communication medium and is seen as spam in the email delivery network if a sender keeps sending email to recipients that do not interact with it (i.e. don't open emails). The platform will self-regulate and stop sending emails to protect the email sender's email reputation score and to honor the end user's behavior.

If you have any additional questions regarding email subscriptions, please reach out to marketing@naifa.org.