iCalendar is a computer file format which allows Internet users to send meeting requests and tasks to other Internet users, via email, or sharing files with an extension of .ics
. iCalendar is used and supported by a large number of products, including Google Calendar, Apple Calendar (formerly iCal), IBM Lotus Notes, Yahoo! Calendar, Evolution (software), eM Client, Lightning extension for Mozilla Thunderbird and SeaMonkey, and partially by Microsoft Outlook and Novell GroupWise.
VSys One can create and include iCalendar files when it sends e-mails to people based on scheduled events, such as job assignments, trainings and interviews. Whether a letter includes .ics files depends on the letter's content and on if you've checked Include iCalendar/ics files with e-mails in the letter's properties.
Different e-mail programs on the volunteer's end will handle iCalendar files differently (if at all).
Sample iCalendar file
BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
METHOD:REQUEST
PRODID:-//Bespoke Software///VSys One//EN
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:JBUEOVNLUDRO7D7H
DTSTAMP:20140328T062801
DTSTART:20120826T090000
DTEND:20120826T093000
CATEGORIES:Interview
ORGANIZER;CN="William A. Cornett":MAILTO:xxx@vsysone.com
LOCATION:Main bldg. floor 2
ATTENDEE;CUTYPE=INDIVIDUAL;CN="Veronica Bergin":MAILTO:x@x.x
SUMMARY:Follow-up - Veronica Bergin
DESCRIPTION:Follow-up - Veronica Bergin\n
123 Main Street\n
Schenectady, NY 12345\n
USA
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR