1. A portable communication device comprising: a receiver for receiving radio frequency signals representing transmitted information; a controller coupled to the receiver, the controller being programmed to: store information representing an appointment book and configuration information specifying actions to be performed by the communication device with respect to appointments in the appointment book; monitor appointment entries in the appointment book in real time; and perform actions defined by the configuration information synchronized to appointments in the appointment book and; a transmitter coupled to the controller for transmitting radio frequency signals, wherein the controller is further programmed to store configuration information including appointment types and corresponding actions to be taken by the portable communication device, the actions to be taken including at least one of: transmitting a conditional response message, transmitting an unconditional outgoing message, changing an operational mode of the communication device or executing a stored application.