In early June last year Lanette asked me if I would consider taking on the role of project leader to oversee a complete overall of the PAA’s back office administrative and membership function. At the time, Olga was already entrenched in the initial phase of a major project which would see the launch a new PAA brand and website. It made sense to me to align the development of the new brand and website, with the modernisation of the association’s administration, and a new offering, an online membership system. A little over seven months after this huge joint project commenced, all those involved, including two specialist IT companies and a marketing company have delivered the new PAA branding, website, and integrated online administration and membership system.
The new PAA website was launched last Thursday. Over the next few days you will have all received an email with your member usernames and passwords, including a direct link to the Member Log In menu of the website. The PAA committee encourages you to go online as soon as possible to view your member profile details and begin uploading your documents: Pilates training certifications; PDP workshop certificates; First Aid and Indemnity Insurance renewals. From the Member Log In menu, you will also be able to renew and upgrade your membership, register a studio and renew a studio registration – all online. It is hoped that the online membership attributes, featured on the new website, will provide an incentive to prospective members.
For new and existing members alike, membership renewal and the biannual PDP Expiry period dates will now be to set to the anniversary of their initial membership registration date – not 1st March annually, as has been the case for the past few years. All members will have a new unique membership registration number with the initial year and month of registration included in their registration number. So, the membership registration number for an individual who initially registered as a Level 1 member with the PAA, for example in August 2011, would be something like L1 1108 0972. The first two digits represent the membership level and will be managed by our PAA administrator. The next 4 digits represent the year and month of initial registration – 2011, August. The last 4 digits will be automatically and sequentially assigned by the membership database application. You will use your membership number for online member renewal and upgrade applications.
The PAA committee believes there are major benefits not only for its administration, but more importantly, for members and prospective members who will be able to enjoy a new online experience in communicating with their association: Fast online applications; document uploads; PDP tracking; automated email reminders for PDP expiry, First Aid and indemnity insurance renewal.
Over the coming weeks and months the online membership system will be enhanced. Coming soon will be the integrated online registration application for the PAA’s 2013 major conference in September. The PDP tracking module will include a graph to show actual accrued PDPs earned against PDPs required within a 2 year PDP expiry period. The instructor/studio search application will also be available shortly.
Enjoy and embrace your new website and online membership system.
Malcolm Boulter
IT Projects Officer
PAA
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