A communication system that facilitates the transmission of audio messages via dispatch communications to subscriber units as members of a distribution list. The system includes a network device (e.g., a message application server) adapted to receive a dispatch communication including an audio message from an originating subscriber unit intended for member(s) of a distribution list; post the audio message for retrieval by the members of the distribution list; send respective notifications of the posting of the audio message to the members of the distribution list; receive requests for the audio message from the members of the distribution list; and send respective dispatch communications including the audio message to the requesting members of the distribution list.