SMS Notification Consent

ShepherdWorks helps you stay connected through timely SMS notifications. Here's how our SMS consent process works.

Consent Checkbox Examples
Here's what you'll see when you provide your phone number on our forms:

Consent Checkbox Example

This message appears on contact forms, Appointment requests, Event registrations, and portal preferences pages (if available).

Note: The consent checkbox is optional. You can still submit forms without checking it, but you won't receive SMS notifications.

Phone Number Verification Process
How we verify your phone number and what to expect:
  1. 1

    Enter Your Phone Number

    Provide your phone number on any form (contact, Appointment request, Event registration, or portal preferences). Use format: +1 (555) 123-4567 or any standard format.

  2. 2

    Review the Consent Checkbox

    Once you enter a phone number, the SMS consent checkbox appears. Read the consent text carefully to understand what types of messages you'll receive.

  3. 3

    Check the Box (Optional)

    If you want to receive SMS notifications, check the consent box. If you prefer not to receive text messages, leave it unchecked—you can still submit the form.

  4. 4

    Submit the Form

    Your phone number and consent preference are saved. If you opted in, you'll start receiving SMS notifications for relevant Appointments and Events.

  5. 5

    Start Receiving Notifications

    You'll start receiving SMS notifications for relevant Appointments and Events. The first message will typically be a reminder before your next scheduled activity.

Sample Messages You'll Receive
Examples of SMS notifications you can expect:

Appointment Reminder

"Hi [Name], this is ShepherdWorks. Reminder: Your Appointment is tomorrow at 2:00 PM. Reply YES to confirm or RESCHEDULE if you need to change."

Event Reminder

"ShepherdWorks: [Event Name] is coming up tomorrow at 6:00 PM. Hope to see you there!"

Confirmation Response

"Great! Your Appointment is confirmed. We'll see you tomorrow at 2:00 PM."

HELP Response

"ShepherdWorks - Appointment reminders and updates. Reply STOP to opt out. Questions? Call [phone number]"

Opt-Out Confirmation

"You have been unsubscribed from SMS messages. Reply START to resubscribe."

Opt-In Confirmation

"You're now subscribed to SMS updates from ShepherdWorks. Reply STOP to opt out anytime."

Interactive Commands

You can reply to reminder messages with:

  • YES (or CONFIRM, OK, Y) - Confirm your Appointment
  • NO (or CANCEL, N) - Cancel your Appointment
  • RESCHEDULE (or CHANGE, MOVE) - Request to reschedule
  • STOP (or UNSUBSCRIBE) - Opt out of all SMS notifications
  • START (or UNSTOP) - Opt back in if you previously unsubscribed
  • HELP (or INFO, ?) - Get information and support
What You'll Receive
When you opt-in to SMS notifications, you may receive:
  • Appointments Reminders - Timely notifications about your upcoming Appointments
  • Events Updates - Important information about Events you're registered for
  • Schedule Changes - Notifications if your Appointment or Event time changes
  • Confirmation Requests - Quick ways to confirm your attendance via text

Note: We will never send marketing or promotional SMS messages unless you explicitly opt-in to those separately. All messages are service-related and designed to help you stay informed.

How to Opt-In
You can consent to receive SMS notifications in several ways:

1. On Any Form With a Phone Number Field

When you provide your phone number on any form (Appointment requests, Event registrations, contact forms, etc.), you'll see the same consent checkbox:

This single consent covers all types of transactional messages, so you won't need to opt-in separately for different message types.

2. Through Your Customer Portal (if available)

If your organization provides customer portal access, you can manage your SMS preferences there:

  1. Log in to your Customer Portal
  2. Navigate to Preferences
  3. Check the "SMS notifications" option
  4. Save your preferences
How to Opt-Out
You can stop receiving SMS notifications at any time:
  • Reply STOP - Text STOP to any message you receive to immediately unsubscribe
  • Portal Preferences - Uncheck SMS notifications in your Customer Portal preferences (if available)
  • Contact Support - Email or call ShepherdWorks to request removal from SMS lists

Important: Opting out will stop all SMS notifications, including reminders forAppointments and Events. You may still receive email notifications if email is configured.

Compliance & Legal
Our SMS program is fully compliant with US regulations

TCPA Compliance

Our SMS program complies with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). We only send messages to individuals who have provided explicit written consent via checkbox opt-in. You can revoke consent at any time by replying STOP.

A2P 10DLC Registration

ShepherdWorks uses Application-to-Person (A2P) 10-digit long code (10DLC) messaging, which is registered with mobile carriers for legitimate business messaging. This ensures reliable message delivery and protects against spam.

Your Rights

  • You can opt-out at any time by replying STOP
  • You can request help by replying HELP
  • You control your preferences through your portal settings
  • Your phone number is never shared with third parties for marketing
  • We maintain detailed logs of all consent and opt-out actions

Consent is Always Optional

You are never required to consent to SMS notifications to use our services. All forms can be submitted without SMS opt-in. However, if you don't opt-in, you won't receive text message reminders (you may still receive email notifications if configured).

Privacy & Your Data

Message Frequency

Message frequency varies based on your scheduled Appointments and Events. Typical users receive a few messages per month.

Message & Data Rates

Standard message and data rates may apply based on your mobile carrier's plan.

Your Phone Number

We never share your phone number with third parties for marketing purposes. Your phone number is used solely for sending you notifications related to your Appointments and Events with ShepherdWorks.

Help & Support

Reply HELP to any SMS message for assistance, or contact ShepherdWorks directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to opt-in to use ShepherdWorks services?

No, SMS consent is completely optional. You can schedule Appointments, register for Events, and use all our services without opting in to SMS notifications.

How often will I receive text messages?

Message frequency varies based on your activity. Typically, you'll receive a few messages per month, including Appointment reminders, Event reminders, and any schedule changes or updates. We never send promotional or marketing messages unless you explicitly opt-in separately.

Will I be charged for these messages?

ShepherdWorks does not charge for sending SMS notifications. However, standard message and data rates from your mobile carrier may apply based on your phone plan. Check with your carrier if you're unsure about your plan's text messaging costs.

Can I opt-out and then opt back in later?

Yes! If you reply STOP to opt-out, you can re-subscribe at any time by:

  • • Replying START to any previous message
  • • Updating your preferences in your customer portal (if available)
  • • Checking the SMS consent box on any form

What if I change my phone number?

Contact ShepherdWorks to update your phone number. You'll need to opt-in again with your new number to continue receiving SMS notifications. If you have portal access, you can update your phone number there. Your previous number will be automatically removed from our system.

Can I receive both email and SMS notifications?

Yes! If your organization offers both channels, you can enable both email and SMS notifications. If you have portal access, you can manage these preferences there. This gives you multiple ways to stay informed about your Appointments and Events.

Who do I contact if I have issues with SMS?

You can reply HELP to any SMS message for assistance, or contact ShepherdWorks directly through their website or customer support channels. For technical issues with the SMS system itself, you can also reach out to ShepherdWorks support.

Is my phone number secure?

Yes. We take data security seriously. Your phone number is encrypted in transit and at rest, never shared with third parties for marketing purposes, and only used to send you service-related notifications you've consented to receive. We maintain detailed audit logs of all consent actions for compliance.

For more information about how we handle your data, please see our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.