I wonder what the association managers really want to spend their time doing. Do they want to do higher level management and tracking or do they want to do the day to day work like updating the website, running meetings and doing newsletters.
Either way StarChapter (www.starchapter.com) can transfer the burdon of newsletter managment and photo archives to the local chapter, or it can provide easy to use tools for the association manager to still keep it in-house.
StarChapter is a tool. Whomever decides to use it really doesn't matter. When it is used, the chapter benefits. It becomes more organized and efficient in communicating to the chapter memebership.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Advantages of online association managment software
Association managment software or 'web based' association managment software offers many advantages. This type of service exists out of the need for associations and local chapters to not only simplify the way they do business, but to also imrove they way the organizations are run.
Saving time. Board members are volunteers and the less time it takes for a local board member of an association to do their 'job' the better. This makes it more likely for the board member to stay on and also easier for the board to recruit new board members.
Communication. Emailing saves the association time and money and when done professionaly and properly, the chapter or organization can increase their membership by converting prospective members and also increase membership retention.
Meeting management. who's coming? who paid and how much? who didn't show? what guests are coming and did we charge the right amount for everyone? sending invoices, running reports? posting meeting detials, etc. all this can be done from an online association managment provider (www.starchapter.com).
Saving time. Board members are volunteers and the less time it takes for a local board member of an association to do their 'job' the better. This makes it more likely for the board member to stay on and also easier for the board to recruit new board members.
Communication. Emailing saves the association time and money and when done professionaly and properly, the chapter or organization can increase their membership by converting prospective members and also increase membership retention.
Meeting management. who's coming? who paid and how much? who didn't show? what guests are coming and did we charge the right amount for everyone? sending invoices, running reports? posting meeting detials, etc. all this can be done from an online association managment provider (www.starchapter.com).
managing associations and chapters
Managing associations and chapters is tough for several reasons. Usually the job falls on the shoulders of a few board members who are donating their time (ie, not getting paid for it) and their primary job comes first. Also there are some technical problems that get in the way such as updating a website, handling and transmitting several data files and figuring out how to effectively communicate with the right people.
There are other issues that come up as well. Take for instance the issue of managing a chapter's monthly meeting or event registration. This involves the effective communication of several if not all board members from the chapter programs coordinator, the membership chair, the treasurer, president and volunteers. There are many problems an association or chapter faces when it comes to collecting money for registration and the decision to accept credit cards.
StarChapter (www.starchapter.com), is one solution but it is not for everyone.
If you are a small chapter that does not have a need for online registration or the ability to manage a membership directory, it may not be the best fit. There is however still the benefit of the "Email Center" that allows you to send email out to your membership and prospects. And there is still the calendar and general content management feature, so those might be enough.
But in general, if your chapter is of at least 40-50 members and you have regular chapter meetings (min 4/year), you need to manage your newsletter and update a calendar and content on your site, print labels and name badges, you are probably a fit.
There are other issues that come up as well. Take for instance the issue of managing a chapter's monthly meeting or event registration. This involves the effective communication of several if not all board members from the chapter programs coordinator, the membership chair, the treasurer, president and volunteers. There are many problems an association or chapter faces when it comes to collecting money for registration and the decision to accept credit cards.
StarChapter (www.starchapter.com), is one solution but it is not for everyone.
If you are a small chapter that does not have a need for online registration or the ability to manage a membership directory, it may not be the best fit. There is however still the benefit of the "Email Center" that allows you to send email out to your membership and prospects. And there is still the calendar and general content management feature, so those might be enough.
But in general, if your chapter is of at least 40-50 members and you have regular chapter meetings (min 4/year), you need to manage your newsletter and update a calendar and content on your site, print labels and name badges, you are probably a fit.
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