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Choosing an Online Member Management System. Ted Meyerson, Virginia Crespo Paul Bessell David Dickens Victor Bruce Emmerling. Introduction. USM requires a new member management system to aid in its membership database, email communications, accounting, and event planning
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Choosing an Online Member Management System Ted Meyerson, Virginia Crespo Paul Bessell David Dickens Victor Bruce Emmerling
Introduction • USM requires a new member management system to aid in its membership database, email communications, accounting, and event planning • After careful review of three online management systems, the most versatile and effective system was found to be the application called Memberclicks
Why does USM need a new Member Management System? • Despite the excellent efforts of USM volunteers, the organization has grown past its current membership system • Further growth may be inhibited by a lack of support through the current system
The Current USM Management System • USM has several main functions that include financial management, membership record keeping, event planning, legislature advising, and communications • Other activities include monthly meetings, seminars, campaigns, and newsletter promotion
Problems Found With the Current System The largest problem was found to be a breakdown in communications
Problems Found With the Current System Continued Inaccurate Member Information Bounced and failed email communications
Other Problems Inaccurate payment records Disconnected event planning
A Solution An Online Member Management System
What is an Online Management System? • An Online Member Management System is a set of applications integrated into a single system hosted on a web server • Online Member Management Systems can be accessed by administrators with security credentials from any location • Members can also use the system to update limited sections of information
Benefits of a Member Management System An integrated system that shares the same information
Other Benefits of a Member Management System • In-depth email communication capabilities using a member database system • Integrated payment and member profile systems • A wide range of social media promotional features • The ability for members to add or change their profile information and pay dues online • Online event planning, automated ticket processing, and receipt capabilities
Member Management System Features Reviewed The following features are needed in a new system • A member record database system • Integrated email communications with member database • Event planning • Payment processing using PayPal • Website hosting features • Integration and compatibility with QuickBooks Software
Online Management Systems Reviewed • Memberclicks • WildApricot • Memberize
Memberclicks Positives: • Offers an integrated, online portal with an easy to use interface • Features in-depth email communications features to track email messaging campaigns • Provides technical support for the system setup and for system maintenance • Easy payment processing and event planning features • Allows members to modify their personal information and pay dues Cons • Expensive • Longer setup period
WildApricot Pros • An easy to use interface • Easy web site builder application • Online community support • Event registration and planning • Less expensive Cons • Lack of features for email communications • Lacks customization features • Lack of technical support
Memberize Pros • Included web hosting with pricing • In-depth reporting features • Payment processing features integrated with member database Cons • A lack of setup and technical support • Expensive • Lack of one to many membership records
Suggested Choice: Memberclicks • Memberclicks was found offer the best features with the best service • Sales, technical support, and setup guidance was better than what was found with other services • Memberlicks is very well recommended by other customers and organizations
The Cost of Using Memberclicks Setup Fee: Complete Setup $1895 or Basic Setup $895 Monthly Costs: Services $170 Webhosting $30 Total $200 Payment Processing Fees: PayPal processing 1% plus .35 per transaction
Setting Up a Memberclicks Account • Depending on setup choice, member information would need to be entered • Forms and screens would need to be created • Event planning and email communications would need to be setup • Memberclicks would provide guidance and training for both types of setup
The End Resulting Benefits of Memberclicks • Member records would be securely stored and be more accurate • Payments for dues and events would be simplified with online receipts • Email communications would be enhanced with a robust email server and added features • Anyone accessing the system would have the same information
In Conclusion • Utilizing a new Online Membership Management System would help USM expand and grow in the coming years • Memberclicks would offer USM the ability to expand member record keeping, event planning, email campaigns, and provide automated payment processing capabilities • USM could focus more time on non administrative tasks such as seminars, meetings, campaigns, and events