E-mail has gained tremendous popularity the recent years due to its efficiency and low cost. E-mail is a convenient method to exchange written messages instantly regardless of geographical location and it allows multiple recipients to receive the same message simultaneously.

Sending e-mail to someone requires the actual message and the e-mail address (i.e. nameA@aol.com). To send the same message to a second person also requires the e-mail address (i.e. nameB@msn.com) placed on the “send to” or “cc” box. For every subsequent recipient an additional e-mail address is required. However, in order to address a significant number of recipients the reflector technology is needed.

The word reflector simply represents a list of addresses that is why the most common name is “list”. When email is addressed to the reflector, it is automatically broadcasted to everyone on the list. For example, if we assume that the paa@pancretan.org reflector contains 2,500 members, whenever we send and e-mail to the paa@pancretan.org we send e-mail to 2,500 people.

The use of reflectors is a very effective method of communication to organizations and the only requirements are an internet connection and an email address.

The e-mail technology and the use of reflectors can be of great service to PAA. There are already several reflectors currently functioning in PAA’s own domain “pancretan.org”.

The administrative reflectors: These reflectors have been assembled and used to connect the national officers since February 2002. The PAA’s administration is successfully utilizing the reflector technology and is expected to robust communication.

The chapter’s reflector: The chapters have their own reflector that was activated last May. The chapters’ reflector, chapters@pancretan.org contains the addresses of the presidents of the chapters or their appointees. The goal is to provide a communication channel that will allow the flow of information to and from all chapters through their representatives. It will promote communication among the chapters (chapter to chapter) as well as the chapters and the central administration (administration to chapters and vice versa).

The youth reflector: The reflector of the youth has been created and is ready to be assembled by the youth leadership. The youth reflector has also been created under our own domain nameyouth@pancretan.org that belongs exclusively to the Pancretan Association and runs free from advertisements or any type of commercial exploitation. This reflector is designed to host the entire membership of the Pancretan Youth.

The membership reflector: This reflector is designed to accommodate all members of PAA. It is also created under the pancretan domain name with the address paa@pancretan.org . Every member of PAA with an e-mail address may be included in this list.

Hope Foudoulakis