Question

For each of the following, indicate how you would respond to the e-mail.

A former classmates sends your entire class an announcement for an important career conference in your field, and asks you to share it with your friends.

Your boss sends an e-mail to your group that says, “We need to decide as a group which one of us will attend this conference.”

Your coworker has misplaced the conference announcement and sends you an e-mail asking if you still have the conference link.

Answer 1

1) From a former classmate who sent the announcement to the entire class and asked you to share it

How I’d reply (reply to the sender only — not Reply All):

Subject: Re: [Conference name] — happy to share

Hi [Name],

Thanks for sending this — it looks like an excellent event. I’m happy to share it with my contacts. Do you have a preferred link/blurb you’d like me to use, and are there any restrictions on forwarding or using your name?

If you prefer, I can post it to our class Slack/LinkedIn and tag you. Let me know.

Thanks,
[You]

Why: confirms you’ll help, avoids cluttering the whole class inbox with a reply-all, and asks for any preferred wording or permissions before sharing.

2) From your boss: “We need to decide as a group which one of us will attend this conference.”

How I’d reply (Reply All):

Subject: Re: Conference attendance — suggested process

Thanks, [Boss name]. A couple quick questions so we can pick the best person: is attendance funded from our travel budget, and are there selection criteria you prefer (presenting, project relevance, training needs, rotation fairness)? If not, I propose we:

- Ask for volunteers with a 1–2 sentence justification by [date],
- If multiple volunteers, decide by team vote or by project impact,
- I can collect responses and present a recommendation.

I’m happy to coordinate the poll if that’s helpful.

Best,
[You]

Why: requests clarification of criteria and budget, offers a simple, fair decision process, and volunteers to coordinate — all appropriate for a team decision.

3) From a coworker who misplaced the announcement and asks if you still have the conference link

How I’d reply (direct reply to coworker):

Subject: Re: Conference link

Hi [Name] — sure. Here’s the link: [paste conference link]. I’ve also attached/forwarded the original announcement for details. Note the early-bird registration deadline is [date].

Want me to register for you or add you to a shortlist if the team decides one attendee?

Regards,
[You]

Why: quick, helpful, gives the link and a useful deadline reminder and offers additional assistance.