 |
What Every Board Member Needs To Know About How To Manage Effectively
How Online Management Software Can Reduce The Time It Takes To Manage Assocations and Local Chapters By 65% and Boost Membership Activity and Revenues. |
 |
Rule #1 About Being An Effective Board Member? Manage Information Effectively
As a member of your organization's board, you have many duties. Whether it is the number of members at a meeting, the percent retention of members from year to year, or maintaining an up-to-date website, much of your chapter's success centers on the board members'; ability to manage and share information. Because information management is critical to your chapter, your choice of how to manage that information can be a major factor in your success.
What Will I Find In This Report?
This report will help you understand what association management software that is designed for local chapters does and why the choice you make can be critical to your group's future growth and prosperity.
What Is Association Management Software?
Association Management Software is a suite of integrated software tools that enable board members to effectively perform their duties. The software is usually available online so that board members can access the tools, reports, and information from anywhere with an internet connection. Not all Association Management Software is the same. While there is a wide variety of capabilities, generally association management software includes back-office capabilities for board members such as membership and events management, dues/non-dues billing, and integrated website content management. Some include more benefits, including features that further integrate registration, membership, payment, and other data with the ability to effectively communicate in private leadership, members-only, and public forums.
Will Association Management Software Work At The Chapter Level?
Most don't. Mainly because of their complex feature sets, technology required to use the software, long implementations, and high price point. Most focus solely on bigger associations. However, StarChapter focuses on local chapters of these large associations. StarChapter's feature set is simple to use. No additional technology is required and the price point easily fits in any chapter's budget.
Who Uses StarChapter?
Chapters of national or international associations within the continental US will benefit from using association management software when they have:
- 40 – 2000 local members
- A minimum of 6 meetings a year
- Regular dues payment and collection
- A fee charged for registration at events and/or meetings
These chapters all need a website that can communicate to their members, manage membership lists, collect dues, make periodic announcements and share news, and handle online meeting registration and payment. These organizations generally have a volunteer board of directors, and are most often professional and business associations, chambers of commerce, and the like.
Why is StarChapter Necessary?
Simply stated, this software drastically reduces the burden of routine tasks off the volunteer board members, allowing them to use their time and energy to concentrate on building the chapter and fulfilling the organization's purpose.
Transition of Leadership Is Much Easier With StarChapter
Because boards change frequently using such software as StarChapter assures continuity of records and the business of the chapter even though the individual board members may change. Local chapters of a larger professional association can especially benefit from software such as StarChapter; that is focused specifically on local chapter's needs.
How Can I Tell If We Need StarChapter
A sure sign of need is when it becomes hard to fill board positions because the jobs you are asking volunteers to do are too complex and time consuming. Another factor is when there is a risk of disruption should one key individual leave – such as the volunteer webmaster, a treasurer, or secretary – it is time to seriously consider upgrading to online management software to ensure continuity.
What does StarChapter Do?
The right online management software will provide many key benefits, including:
- Manage meeting and event registration
- Process and track dues and meeting fees
- Manage member activity and financial reports
- Archive fees and dues records for easy access
- Manage membership communication - including broadcast email for newsletters
- Manage the membership prospect membership database lists
- Provide easy access to update chapter website content
- Provide survey and results reporting tools
- Manage communications for board members, members, and public forums
- Generate reports on finance, membership and prospect activity rates, and more
- Offer professional newsletter tools and e-mail capability
- Meeting name badge creation
How Much Should We Expect To Pay For StarChapter?
Until recently, the cost of organization software made these tools virtually out of reach except for the largest chapters. However, these software tools are now far more affordable and are usually easily affordable for the average chapter. The software is available for a one-time setup charge and a set monthly rate.
What Is The Best Way To See If StarChapter Is Right For Our Association or Chapter?
It's usually best to do a simple needs analysis. You don't need to spend much time at it, but just take a few minutes to write down what you do and what would be most beneficial to you and your board. Then, we recommend you simply compare the options you have. Weigh the benefits of the tools included, keeping in mind the time each feature will save. A key advantage to consider is that StarChapter is an integrated program – one that doesn't require you to maintain separate email, membership, prospect, and registration databases. It may also be helpful to consider how your needs may change as you grow or adjust in the future. Continuity and reliability should be factors as you weigh the options and choose the software that will serve the organization for several years to come.
What's The Next Step?
To learn about StarChapter's cost-effective integrated chapter management tools, including online registration service, membership management software, custom website, content management software, association management software and broadcast email tool, call 1-866-775-3205 and schedule a free demonstration. The demonstration will show you how StarChapter can help you cut the time required to manage your chapter by more than half, and how you can save money with the most cost effective and versatile all-in-one solution.
To schedule your free demonstration or to get answers to your questions, call 1-866-755-3205 x1 or email sales@starchapter.com today!!!
|
