To go directly to the Shore Old Boys On-Line Network use the log-in box to the left.
In April 2004 the OBU launched an online network to enable:
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better communication between the OBU and Old Boys;
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more opportunities for Old Boys and other members of the Shore community to support Old Boys; and
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immediate access for Old Boys to spiritual and other support available from the School.
Services currently available through the online network include:
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an on-line communications facility allowing all Old Boy users to communicate directly;
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a careers advice framework;
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an on-line bulletin board and calendar; and
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perhaps most importantly, a link to Shore's new Community Chaplain.
Available to all Old Boys
All Old Boys can access the OBU's service: you do not need to be a member of the OBU. Members and non-members can communicate through the on-line directory, provide career advice or other services for Old Boys and also access the broad range of assistance - including counselling - that the School's Community Chaplain can provide. The OBU is also working to enable non-Old Boy members of the Shore community to provide on-line career advice through the on-line network. We expect this to be possible by mid 2005.
Based on the experience of other schools, the on-line facility will be very useful to students on the point of leaving the School. These students move quickly and wholeheartedly to the next stage of their lives (such as a GAP Year), but find later that it is surprisingly difficult to re-establish contact with old friends. A common theme at many OBU Reunions is the regret that people have been untraceable for 10, 20 or even 50 years, even when living nearby. For this reason, all Year 12 students will be encouraged to register on the service as they leave School - if not before.
Customised Software
The OBU's service uses customised software developed specifically for alumni associations. Our software provider was started some eight years ago and currently provides services to a significant number of independent schools, colleges and institutions in Australia. An OBU subcommittee lead by Tony Lee (75) conducted a detailed review in 2004 and selected it as the most suitable software for us. The OBU is confident that this customised software will help create a service of immense value to all Old Boys.
Group Communications
Users of the OBU's on-line communications service cannot send messages to multiple addressees. Only the OBU's Executive Officer, in the capacity of Administrator of the site, will be able to do so, such as when notifying selected groups of matters of common interest, such as an upcoming Year reunion. Users can send emails to selected individuals identified on the business directory but, again, it will not be possible for bulk emails to be sent to groups.
Confidentiality of E-Mail Addresses
The system facilitates email communication between Old Boy participants without the addressee's details being disclosed. Old Boys sending an email can of course choose to disclose their own email addres in their message.
Funding
The OBU has funded this entire initiative itself. This is a service by Old Boys for Old Boys. It is not part of the School's costs and is not part of the Shore Foundation. It will however be operated strictly in accordance with the School's Privacy Policy.
Encourage Other Users!
The success of the OBU's on-line project depends on widespread use. The OBU and the School will be encouraging use at every opportunity, and we ask all Old Boys to ecourage as many others as possible to log on to the service here on www.shoreoldboys.org.au .
Users will be asked to volunteer information about their career, and will be asked whether they could assist help other Old Boys by providing career advice. Please consider this favourably as we want to have as many volounteers as possible.