Dealing with member management tasks is your biggest headache. Why? Admin work takes a ton of time, and it further complicates life. When you effectively manage members, then you’ve got more time to do what you’re passionate about. At memberplanet, we believe that our platform simplifies membership management, which in turn, simplifies life. Whether you’re new to a leadership role or a veteran admin, any transition period is a great time to reflect and learn how you can save time on membership management tasks. (Click our member management infographic to view the full-resolution image.)
When you effectively and efficiently manage members, you solve membership and reap awesome benefits. A leading software research company reports a 70 to 80 percent renewal rate with automatic recurring membership! Solving membership frees up your most valuable commodity – time. That means you have more time to accomplish your group’s mission or cause, more time to engage your members, and more time to actively recruit – which leads to growth. Browse our articles about membership management to learn more.
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We’ve kicked off the new year with some fresh tech updates to help make managing your members and growing your group even easier. All through the holidays, we’ve kept busy to enhance event management, improve our member database, and more. You gave us suggestions on how to update the user experience, and we’ve been listening! Check out what’s new and improved. Improved member database download New variable pricing for event tickets based on member levels Simplified process to add payment method Easier access to membership cards New auto-populating member distribution list Improved member database download Admins of groups of any size, even those with more than 100,000 members, can now easily download their entire member database. The whole process runs behind the scenes, allowing admins to continue working on the platform without having to pause so the database can download. A notification email is sent to the admin when the download is complete. Learn how to download your member database. New variable pricing for event tickets based on member levels Admins can now assign special pricing for tickets based on member levels rather than a flat price. For example, the price of an event ticket can be different for each membership level in your group, allowing you to give discounts and create added value for long-standing members. Here’s how to create event ticket prices based on member levels: 1. After you create an event, click Tickets & Payment Items in the RSVPs & Tickets section 2. On the Basics tab, fill out the information fields to create a ticket for the event, and click Save 3. Select the Special Pricing tab 4. Click the Edit button for the event ticket you wish to create special pricing for 5. Select Set Custom Pricing
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6. Click Save Simplified process to add payment method We’ve made it even easier for your members or donors to make online payments. When users add a new payment method, they now have the option to add this payment method to any already active recurring payment schedules. This improves the user experience by limiting re-entry of information (because no one wants to update payment info twice), as well as making sure they don’t accidentally miss a payment. Easier access to membership cards We’ve cut down on the number of clicks it takes to download a member’s card from desktop, and membership cards are even easier to access from the mobile app. The next time Jim and Pam show up to an event or meeting without their member cards, simply have them pull up their cards from their smartphone. Learn how to access and download membership cards. New auto-populating member distribution list Sending a customized message to members who’ve renewed their paid membership just got easier. (And you should absolutely do that to make your renewing members feel valued and special!) Admins can modify settings in paid membership levels to automatically sort those who join or renewed their membership into a distribution list. It’s a great way (and best practice) to connect with members by tailoring your message to specific recipients. For example, if you have monthly announcements for those on your top membership level, you can email them without manually updating a distribution list before every send. This feature works like our Smart Lists, and best of all, it’s free! (Before you start, make sure you’ve already created the distribution list you wish to auto-populate.) 1. Click Membership on the left navigation bar 2. Select Membership Levels, Sign-up and Renewal in the Joining our Group section 3. Click the gear icon on the member level you wish to edit 4. Scroll down and click Edit on the Sign-up and Renewal section 5. Select the Add Member to a Distribution List checkbox 6. Select the distribution list you wish automatically add members to 7. Click Save and Close We exist to simplify membership management, and for you and your admins, that means simplifying life as a leader. Share your thoughts with us on how we can further improve the customer experience by emailing suggestions@memberplanet.com.
How Northern California Contest Club Boosts Paid Membership by 57% for an ‘Old Timey’ Hobby1/25/2018 Northern California Contest Club (NCCC) is a group of radio operator enthusiasts and is an affiliate of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the national association for amateur radio operators in the United States. In the world of ham radio, amateur refers to operators who must pass an exam to communicate non-commercially over the radio frequency spectrum. The contest-oriented club relied on manual processes to record and track membership, which was time consuming and resulted in inaccurate record-keeping. With members demanding transparency and online payment options and access to information, NCCC needed a system that members could use to view their own membership status and payments. Since teaming with memberplanet, NCCC has maintained accurate records (in less time) and provided a dedicated, online membership portal for its members to view payment history and stay updated with club activities. As a result, NCCC has enjoyed a 57% increase in paid membership and 37% boost in dues collected in just one year. Small Club, Big Challenges
For a club whose members are mostly over 50 and involved in a hobby that includes a fondness of Morse code, attracting younger demographics and recruiting new members in order to thrive may seem like a unique struggle. There are many small social clubs, however, that have fallen behind on meeting the demands of a new generation of members, including providing access to information online, offering convenient payment methods, and effectively communicating updates. Clubs that still heavily rely on paper filing systems and manual processes face the time-consuming challenge of keeping accurate financial records and managing members. It became clear to NCCC that it needed to upgrade its manual processes and combat its dwindling membership – or face radio silence. Manual Processes – Over In 2016, NCCC began using memberplanet to keep its database organized and up to date. “We really didn't know how many members we had prior to memberplanet. It's sad, but true,” Ian Parker, NCCC’s Secretary, explained. The club’s manual reporting processes included interactions between the secretary and treasurer, a lot of paperwork, and time. Sometimes members who missed payments went undetected. “We now have a good grasp on the number of real members. With memberplanet our data is kept accurate – and timely.” Club admins have enjoyed the platform’s turnkey features, such as automated membership reminders and convenient payment options. “We also have more up-to-date member information and auto renewals. These were the primary reasons for moving to memberplanet, which has been one hundred percent successful,” Parker said. The membership insights available in the support site and the time freed up from admin tasks are now directed to engaging members. A Closer Look at NCCC’s Online Results Admins have used the platform’s event sites and RSVPs to manage and track attendance. Parker believes that memberplanet’s payment reporting, event invite templates, and email campaign features have dramatically improved their efficiency. Members can log in to a dedicated portal, view club announcements, connect with other members using the interactive directory, and update their own profile. “We have received many positive comments,” Parker continued. “Overall, it has been a huge plus and now folks can also see when they last paid!” When NCCC started using memberplanet in 2016, it had 100 paid memberships. That number rose to 157 by the end of 2017 – a 57% boost. The club also saw a 37% increase in membership dues. Parker noted how more members are engaging with the club, converting to paid membership status, and how the hassle-free process of joining the club is contributing to an increase in membership overall. As of January 2018, NCCC had 350 members total. Broadcasting a Bright Future Parker reveals NCCC has recently obtained 501(c)(3) status for nonprofits, and plans to fundraise and open an online NCCC store are in the works. Growing paid membership and engaging members remains a focus for the club, which was founded in 1970. Now that NCCC personnel find it much easier to manage and interpret data, communicate with members, and increase engagement, they expect that their club for radio aficionados will remain on the air for much, much longer. Contact memberplanet today to learn how the platform can help your organization simplify membership. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. is one of the nation's largest African American women's organizations. The sorority is predicated on the ideals of scholarship, service, sisterly love, and finer womanhood. The Epsilon Rho Zeta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta is the Northern Delaware Graduate Chapter, and has served the New Castle County area since 1955. Despite the chapter’s support of Zeta Phi Beta’s work on prominent community initiatives, Epsilon Rho Zeta struggled to raise the funds needed to efficiently plan its own events. Its administrators spent too much time chasing after bounced checks and outstanding dues. Since partnering with memberplanet, the chapter has streamlined processes, improved fundraising transparency, and increased online revenue for its top three events by 247%. Chapter-level Challenges Epsilon Rho Zeta was actively involved in prominent initiatives on headquarters’ level, including March of Dimes and American Cancer Society. However, chapter administrators found it challenging to raise the funds needed to support their own operational functions. “It was difficult to plan events and fundraisers as we never knew exactly what resources we would have available — only what we expected to have,” Michelle Mack-Williams, the chapter’s First Vice President, said. New and existing members paid their dues by check or cash, which created a number of hurdles. “We’d have to keep manual records of who paid and who hadn’t, so we could follow up on outstanding dues.” Time that could be spent fundraising or planning events went to chasing down members with an outstanding balance. Bounced checks led to uncomfortable conversations and funding delays, Mack-Williams admitted. Members and donors expect line-item transparency for financial transactions, and Greek organizations that have fallen behind on technology often struggle to help members and supporters understand how and where their dues and donations are being used. Not only does this impact people’s willingness to give, it also affects an organization’s ability to understand the effectiveness of its initiatives, making it difficult to determine what events are most successful in raising funds. Once the chapter teamed up with memberplanet, the ability and convenience of making donations and paying dues electronically, rather than only accepting checks or cash payments, drastically boosted event revenue. Chapter administrators could easily promote and manage events online with mass emailing and tracking tools, online RSVPs, and the mobile app. In fact, revenue for its three most significant annual events has increased a combined total of more than 247% since 2014. Increase of Efficiency Leads to Reduction of Cost Mack-Williams and the executive board of Epsilon Rho Zeta originally chose memberplanet to streamline fundraising for its youth and chapter activities. “I am always looking for new ways to stay organized, and when I first found memberplanet, that was the driver,” Mack-Williams said. “We have been able to streamline our processes, and this has yielded time savings in both manpower and efficiencies. Having the ability to track payments for individual youth activities and to export those reports for reconciliation was a huge bonus. We recently implemented online registration packets, like our youth application and debutante application, which are completely electronic. This has allowed us to get everything completed in one shot.” Promoting the chapter’s up to 11 annual fundraising events online has improved the chapter’s reach and member engagement, resulting in both increased collections and reduced costs for the chapter. And memberplanet has allowed the chapter to go completely green for dues, event tickets, and applications. Improvements in Transparency and Reporting As Epsilon Rho Zeta’s fundraising initiatives have increased, so has its reporting requirements. At first, the sorority only used the platform for a few events. As it ramped up on activities, administrators also increased their use of memberplanet. Mack-Williams lauds memberplanet for its scalability and credits the support team for getting to know the chapter’s unique needs. “I believe improved transparency and reporting accuracy have allowed us to track our data more efficiently,” Mack-Williams said. “We are a more agile chapter because of the technology that is at our fingertips at any given moment, and that is satisfaction that you cannot measure in dollars and cents.” A Closer Look at Epsilon Rho Zeta’s Online Results
An All-in-one, Scalable Fundraising and Membership Solution The Epsilon Rho Zeta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta implemented memberplanet at the end of December 2013. Since then, the platform has helped the chapter to increase revenues, cut costs, and has provided transparency into its fundraising efforts. The platform’s regular tech upgrades and enhancements have aided the chapter in meeting its increasing needs – and Mack-Williams sees the platform as a toolkit that’s integral to Epsilon Rho Zeta’s continued success and growth. Contact memberplanet today if you would like to see how the platform can help your organization succeed. Email: info@memberplanet.com
Phone: 888.298.8845 Now that you’re done wrapping gifts, it’s time to wrap up 2017! This year we’ve seen a lot of trends come and go. (Fidget spinners anyone?) Tech trend-wise we’ve seen automation and video content blow up this year. As a group leader, it is important to be aware of the tools that help you keep up with these trends, as well as the impact they have on how you manage your organization. You know what trend never goes out of style? Engaging your members and donors. We’ve put together the top 3 engagement trends that will be a big part of marketing in 2018. We’ve also included surefire ways to help you take your engagement strategy to the next level in the new year. 1. Social media will focus on Generation Z Prominent business sites, including Entrepreneur, predict that the next generation to enter the labor force will have the attention of brands, and they will shift their social media strategies accordingly. Gen Zers love Snapchat and Instagram, but if that’s not your organization’s target audience, you should refine your social strategy to match the demographics of your group. Instagram is great for showcasing your group’s photos, events, and culture, however it’s not the best place to share longform announcements. If you’re just starting out with social media marketing, take some time to research and think about which social platform would be the best choice for your group. If your organization already has the gambit of social media pages, work on devising a post strategy for each platform with unique goals. Investing in the right social platforms will help to better engage your audience and increase awareness of your group and your group’s mission. 2. Content marketing will focus on stories Content creation should feel authentic and necessary in promoting your group’s mission. Too often, groups attempt to drive traffic and engagement with content that feels inorganic and salesy. Get creative! According to Forbes, content from the heart will be much more effective. Think about what your members want to see. And what information do they need to know? Your content is how you tell the story of your group, so keep it a good representation of what your organization is at its base. This content should also have a narrower focus and be aimed to accomplish your engagement goals, not just viewership. Likes are great, but individual interactions are more personal and therefore more likely to result in a new member signup or a donation. 3. Email newsletters become the best way to promote your group According to content marketing firm Brafton, email marketing is still king when it comes to communicating with your members (so make email your new best friend). Long-form announcements about the group are best shared via email. Be sure to avoid overly salesy jargon or repetitive spamming. A few emails are fine, but if members feel bombarded they will likely pull away. Figure out a realistic timeline for sending emails based on your or your admin staff’s bandwidth. When crafting the newsletter, focus first on sharing the most relevant group information at the top. Then work your way down in terms of priority. Structure is important, so ask yourself what do your members want and need to know? Keep your message authentic and your readers will eagerly await your next newsletter. Get a head start on 2018!
It’s hard to believe, but 2018 is already here. (Seriously, where did this year go?!) We hope this year has been a year of prosperity for your group. As an admin, it is always exciting to see how much your organization has progressed during the course of the year. The new year is a wonderful time to improve upon your style of managing your group. There are some things however that separate the good leaders from the great ones. According to Universum, a global research and advisory firm, the top quality of successful leaders is the power to empower those around you. And guess what – we’ve put together our own list of qualities of successful leaders, and we’re sharing them with you. Take a look at some habits to leave behind in the new year and a few new ones to get the (snow)ball rolling. DON’T: Gossip This one should go without saying, but you’d be surprised what a common occurrence it is among group leaders. Gossiping about other group members will likely spread to other members, which will undermine your authority and lower group morale. As a group leader, keep your head above water and try to remain unbiased to any drama that might be happening in the group. If you, yourself have an issue with another admin or member, make a point to be upfront about what is bothering you and talk the problem out. Remember, at the end of the day you’re all on the same team. DO: Communicate effectively Being a good communicator is one of the best qualities group leaders can have. Clear and effective communication can boost productivity and morale, which will lead to a healthy group environment. Communicating successfully to your group will also help with team building. By being clear with your fellow admins and members about your goals and decisions, you will pave a clear path to achieving them, together. DON’T: Stress over things you can’t control As a group leader, you dedicate your time and effort to help your group thrive, and all the tasks you undertake can be overwhelming. We encourage you to take a deep breath (breath in… and out…) and try to cut yourself some slack. To make sure your stress levels don’t go through the roof, make a to-do list of tasks you need to accomplish. Now, whatever is not on that list, you have to let yourself relax about. This may include another admin’s duties, the amount of money donated during a fundraiser, or the weather report for an outdoor event. You will be a more effective leader if you try to not worry about things you can’t control. DO: Know your team’s strengths/weaknesses One of the best habits you can take into 2018 as group leader is the knowledge of your team’s best strengths and weaknesses. Everyone has their own set of skills that will be ideal to making your group a strong unit. At the beginning of the year, talk to your members or send a survey about what they think they bring to the group, and what they like to do. Members are more likely to be involved if they feel their voice is heard and that they enjoy any group tasks they undertake. For example, if your treasurer is shy but quick with numbers, have him collect payments at an event instead of emceeing the night. Knowing what your team is good at will help make your life easier when it comes to organizing. DON’T: Hog responsibility You and your fellow admins are a team, and one of the worst things to do as a leader is trying to do everything yourself. Make sure when divvying up tasks that you are distributing responsibility appropriately. Not only will you have less to stress about, but keeping your admins involved will also boost their morale and investment in the group. DO: Be a positive role model This is possibly the most important habit of successful leaders on our list, because it really does come down to Y-O-U. Be the leader you wanted to have when you were a member yourself. Setting a positive example of how you carry yourself, how you interact with members, and how you keep cool under pressure will inspire your admins and members to do the same. Remember that you are an amazing leader – your group knows how lucky they are to have you at the steering wheel, so keep your head high as you make your way into 2018.
memberplanet 23224 Crenshaw Blvd. Torrance, CA 90505 The United States Air Force has teamed up with memberplanet to move its club membership program to a newly-designed Club Member Portal. The web and app-based system allows members to choose their preferred payment method for dues and receive real-time event information directly on their smart devices. “This new approach to membership makes it easier for our Airmen to stay connected with our Air Force Clubs, the Air Force traditions, and build on our culture and esprit de corps,” said Col. Donna Turner, the Air Force Services Activity Commander. Members now have personalized access to a custom club website and electronic membership cards. Club administrators can stay connected with members through easy-to-use newsletter templates, group texts, event sites, and more. “We are thrilled with the opportunity to partner with Air Force Clubs,” said memberplanet Co-CEO Rob Hammond. “Our goal is to help improve the experience for all club members and their families. We are providing our new partner with a platform of user-friendly tools to engage and grow their member base.” Along with active-duty military, Air Force Clubs is proud to include U.S. veterans, U.S. DoD civilians, and their families as members. “Our retiree population is a special part of our Air Force family. Their contributions to shaping the Air Force of today are invaluable and we want to keep them connected to our Airmen and our installations,” said Col. Turner. “The beauty of the new system is that members can now use their credit or debit card of choice,” said Jonathan Boyd, the AFSVA Chief of Nonappropriated Fund Food and Beverage Operations. “It’s an easy process…you simply update your profile using your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. Members are also still welcomed to take care of any concerns with their account at their local club. About memberplanet: memberplanet is a platform of tools for groups of any size to communicate, process payments, and manage their members. Leaders can organize and communicate with members quickly, easily, and efficiently. Features include online dues collection, payment processing, communication tools, and event management. memberplanet is proud to currently serve more than 24,000 groups and 7 million members, encompassing a broad range of nonprofit and for-profit industries with clients including Delta Gamma International Fraternity, Colorado State PTA, and the Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation. About United States Air Force Clubs: Air Force Clubs provide customer-driven food, beverage, entertainment, and other membership programs to meet the resiliency needs of members, their families and authorized guests. Clubs support the USAF community by serving as the primary location for Commanders to host official social functions and community relation events. Clubs provide an informal location for Commanders, Command Chief Master Sergeants, First Sergeants, supervisors, and other leaders to create an environment that fosters and promotes USAF institutional values. Contact: Lizerne Ventura Director of Content Marketing 888.298.8845 lventura@memberplanet.com
memberplanet continues to define the member management space by offering the best software to manage and engage members. To finish off the summer, we’re turning up the heat on your favorite features. We’ve developed new enhancements for the mobile app, membership cards, recurring payments, reporting, and more. Check out our exciting additions: Improved search for membership cards Offline access to membership cards through the mobile app Recurring payment enhancements New member level history report New Member Circle member list and Member Circle custom fields report Improved search for membership cards Digital membership cards are one of our most used features, and we’ve made them even easier to access! As most members know, cards can be accessed through a desktop or can be downloaded via our mobile app. Admins can now search for a member card by member instead of going through the whole member directory. This will save time accessing member cards for both admins and members at meetings and events. Learn more: How to download membership cards. Offline access to membership cards through the mobile app Need to access your membership card on the go but don’t have Wi-Fi? We’ve got good news -- you can now access your member card offline. Once you download your member card via mobile app, it will automatically save to your phone. Easily access your card, with or without internet! Learn more: How to download membership cards via the mobile app. Recurring payment enhancements Recurring payments is an essential set-it-and-forget-it feature for all member-based organizations. When it comes time for your members to renew their membership, they shouldn’t have to think about writing another check or pulling out cash from their wallet. Recurring payments allows for a more frictionless experience. We’ve streamlined our recurring payments functionality to make it easier for users to opt in and select the frequency, as well as stop recurring payments. Installments, which we’ve also streamlined, are a great way to increase your fundraising dollars. Some people are more willing to donate a higher amount if they can pay in installments – and it’s a best practice to always give them the option. Learn more: Manage recurring payments on a Donation Site. New membership levels history report Our reporting features are great for keeping a bird’s-eye view on your group and to target and track member activity. With our new membership levels history report, admins can look at the history of each member level. The membership levels report can be found under the membership tab on the left navigation sidebar. On the levels tab, admins can click on the gear icon that corresponds with the membership level they want to view, then select View Members in the dropdown menu. Admins can also level history by member. On the Members tab, select the gear icon next to the member name you wish to see the history for, then select Level History in the dropdown menu. New Member Circle member list and Member Circle custom fields report In addition to the member levels report, we’ve added new reports for Member Circles, which serves to give admins a more in-depth look at data collected for each subgroup. The Member Circles feature is an easy way to create a small grouping of individuals in your organization, and is a type of membership level that allows one person to manage the membership account for a group of people (such as a family or company account). Circle Member reports will list each Member Circle by members. The Member Circle custom fields report allows for the admin to view each response. These reports can be found under the members tab on the left navigation sidebar. Learn more about Member Circles. What other features would help you simplify your life? Email us and let us know at
suggestions@memberplanet.com. Life is full of opportunity and endless options for new experiences. A bucket list is the perfect way to log and catalog all the stuff you want to do before you, well, kick the bucket. Along with getting in all the fun things, it is a good idea to make a list of things you want to accomplish for your group. We created a memberplanet bucket list challenge to inspire you to make the most of our platform and take your organization to new heights. Can you complete them all? We think so! 1. Define your group's aesthetic and personalize your page Photos, videos, and other visual images are a key element to your group site. However, creating the visual tone for your group site can be a challenge. Start by thinking of what makes your group unique and what aspects you want to highlight. Think of your Facebook newsfeed -- what catches your eye? Try to use a mix of photos and images that are visually pleasing and fun. Listing group events will help highlight the culture of your group and entice new members to join and greater engagement from existing members. Also, adding personalized touches like group logos and photos also gives your group a sense of professionalism and credibility. 2. Phone it in with cash and check payments Our mobile app is free and can help when you or your group are on the go. Through the app, group members can take and upload photos to a shared event album, making it easy to capture important memories. Member cards can be accessed through the app and used for entry to group-sponsored events. Payments can also be accepted through the app -- no extra hardware required. This means never missing out on a donation or merchandise sale if a member or donor isn’t carrying cash. Finally, if you want to shoot out a quick Broadcast you can easily send a message to your group. Reach your members through the app anywhere, anytime. 3. Life’s a celebration! Create an event that’s worthy of it Planning a group event can often be a hassle, and we bet you aren’t using our event features to their full potential. Emailing event invitations alone is not enough to reach your attendees. Facebook is another useful tool, however it lacks more robust functionalities, such as syncing to your member database. Our event module allows you to send invitations, set up an event site, sell tickets or merchandise, and track RSVPs. Once you have created an event, you can share it to your members – both through email and social media – directly from the platform. Have your members share it on social media to spread awareness through their network. We challenge you to use as many items in our event feature as you can and plan your groups best event yet! 4. Keep your members in the loop Our lives are always changing; we move, we get married, etc. To keep on top of important member information, and to make sure your members are receiving your group’s communication updates, we recommend sending profile updates requests from your group at least twice a year. 5. Finally, we challenge you to make your group the best it can be! Use another feature not mentioned here. Some of the best ones include creating a donation campaign, email newsletter, and survey. Here at memberplanet, we are passionate about helping groups reach their full potential. This bucket list will help take your group to the next level, and hopefully have a bit of fun in the process. So, think you can finish the bucket list challenge?
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