Lee,
You can visit each board and hit "notify". You will then receive an email with a link every time someone makes a post to read messages.
You can send private messages to any member as well.
We left the free-for-all email lists at Yahoo.
Email lists are viewed by some as having some kind of advantage somewhere. I don't see it. Unless having your inbox fill up and start bouncing emails you want to get is something you would consider an advantage.
Put a short cut to the forum on your desktop and click it when you want to visit... Read here. Post here.
It is the simplest and the best approach to a thriving community of like minded individuals...
Give the forum layout a few days, it will grow on you.