In South Carolina we started an email discussion list at Topica.com and are encouraging the SC FReepers to join that list. Hopefully this will promote lively discussion between meetings concerning SC events/issues, will allow us to discuss chapter business (out of the eye of the public forum) and hopefully will allow us to keep in touch with people who aren't regular lurkers or posters.
Also, an email list separate from FR will allow us to take up chapter business and local events without using FR bandwidth.
Can't tell you how it's working yet because we just started it, but it might be an avenue for us keep in touch better. The key is getting all the FReepers to subscribe to the list.
Thanks for the information. It is something to keep in mind. Let us know how it works out.