Friday, May 21, 2010

Online Registration is the norm

In today's information technology world the words fast, convenient, instant, accessibility and connected are important to people. The Active Network's mission is to 'Power the world's activities and connect people with the things they love, want and need to do". As a partner of The Active Network we want to provide your community with tools and technology that make it easy to register online. Please read the article below to see some recent trends on using the internet.

http://investors.fiserv.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=396336


Some highlights:
A total of 69.7 million households, representing four out of five households with Internet access, now use online banking services.

"We believe that consumers will continue to conduct more and more of their financial activities online," said Geoff Knapp, vice president, Online Banking & Consumer Insights, Fiserv.
The survey examined the reasons people choose to pay bills online and determined that the leading benefits are:
• Speed - 79 percent of consumers said that they preferred to pay bills online because it was faster than other payment methods.
• Ease of Use - 72 percent of consumers said paying online was easier than paying by check.
• Cost Savings - 71 percent of consumers said they liked saving money on stamps.
• Control - 71 percent of consumers said that paying bills online gave them more control over the timing of their payments.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Webinar - Tips for avoiding Fraud, Fines and Litagation



http://info.activecommunities.com/forms/webinar-download

Gain access to all archived webinar topics, including:

* Increasing Revenue in a Tight Economy
* Do’s and Don’ts of Software Selection
* Leveraging A Member Management System to Retain Members
* Turning Your Website into Your Strongest Marketing Tool

Friday, April 16, 2010

Strength in Numbers - together we achieve more

Strength in Numbers –

Not all community art schools are created equal, but many of them have similar needs when it comes to administrative processes and the need for efficiency. In 2006, seven large Guild member music schools created a Consortium —these schools included MacPhail Center for Music, Merit School of Music, Levine School of Music, Third Street Music School Settlement, Neighborhood Music School, Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, and The Cleveland Music School Settlement.. Their common interests and partnership led them to identify a need for a school database management system solution. Together, their collaboration created the sharing of best practices in school administration processes and a vital list of functionality specific to Community Art Schools. Pulling the Consortium’s resources together facilitated the development and creation of a customized software solution that could be used by all Guild schools.

A few members of the Music Consortium commented on how the creation of the partnership allowed them to accomplish their goals:

“Being a part of the Music School Software Consortium was a tremendous benefit to me as the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music determined what our software needs really were. By working collaboratively and learning from other schools about their procedures and policies, we were able to make sound, informed decisions about what the Conservatory’s best business practices should be and how the software could enhance them. We would have never been able to afford to develop such a comprehensive, robust system without pooling our resources with the other member schools. The fact that we worked as a Consortium to develop the software was a powerful message to our funders and was reassuring to our Board of Trustees. Personally, having never embarked on a project like this, I was grateful to have the collective wisdom of my colleagues; while working with a group can be more time consuming, we definitely have a better product because of it.”
Karen Deschere – Wisconsin Conservatory of Music

“By working together, the seven schools of the music consortium have not only pooled our resources to get a better product, but have also created a product that will work for more than just the seven schools. Although we all basically offer the same types of services, those services are offered in different ways with different needs. Those needs pooled together create a more robust and feature-rich application than any of us would have been able to get on our own for the same cost.”
Chris Waterbury – MacPhail Center for Music

“Merit School of Music has felt very fortunate to be surrounded by such a wealth of industry knowledge throughout this entire process. The collaboration among the Guild schools – be it sharing of ideas and solutions to daily business practices or the ability to exercise structure and process concepts while in the development stages of this project - has been priceless. We have certainly reached a new level of admiration of our peer schools!”
Sarah Wright – Director of Student Services – Merit School of Music

“Having been in existence for almost 100 years, and with three very distinct and different departments, (Early Childhood, Department of Music and Music Therapy), The Music Settlement faced considerable challenges in developing changes in our business process to create a more unified image to our faculty, staff, and the public. Our participation in the Music School Consortium, while not always easy (seven schools with different priorities) has provided us with many fresh, exciting ideas on not only how to implement a much needed registration, billing and scheduling element, but also to compare similarities and differences with other music schools. We have found inspiration from the other schools and hope to have a continuing dialog in the future.”
Rachel Bernstein – The Cleveland Music School Settlement


The collaboration of the Music Consortium led to significant solutions for the seven schools and many other Guild Members including:
• Sherwood Community Music School
• New England Conservatory
• Hochstein School of Music and Dance
• Longy School of Music
• Brooklyn Conservatory of Music
• International School of Music
• Allegro Community School of the Arts


Together we achieve more. Leverage the knowledge and resources of your fellow Community Schools to accomplish vital goals for your community and school.

Jeff McHugh

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Find me on Facebook

Jeff.mchugh@activenetwork.com

This is a great way to stay connected and keep up on current events with you and your organization.

Best,

Jeff

Social Media - Success Story

Recently I received a note from Ashley Steinmetz of Perfect Wave Marketing about how social media has helped Sol Acting Academy. http://solacting.com/

Ashely shared - "I am pleased to share that in the relatively short time that Sol Acting Academy has been active on social media networks it has seen a wonderful and encouraging amount of participation. Hundreds of individuals look forward to receiving Laura's Weekly Audition tip and Performing Arts related questions across Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and local New Mexico social communities. Our campaign has opened the door for everyone who is interested in acting across the state to be able to locate, interact and be educated by Sol Acting Academy and it's incredible Owner and President, Laura Mathis. Analytics have shown a substantial increase in visits from both new and returning visitors.
I'm sure I am not alone in thinking how great it will be to have online registration and management tools to help Sol Acting Academy as it's student sign ups continue to grow and as it's brand awareness increases. Sol Acting Academy is truly becoming New Mexico's authority on performing arts education and fun."

Ashley can be reached at http://www.perfectwavemarketing.com/

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Twitter Webinar - Increase Awareness and Participation

How to use Twitter to Increase Awareness and Participation
Register now for this popular topic.

http://now.eloqua.com/es.asp?s=1105&e=16685&elq=24485c9f32cc4dc898217eba05d7c0dd



Join ActiveEducate on Thursday, March 18, for a free webinar: How to use Twitter to Increase Awareness and Participation.

In this webinar, presented as part of our Social Media webinar series, Justin Ramers, Director of Social Media at The Active Network, will show how schools like yours can leverage Twitter as another powerful marketing and student communication tool. Register now for this free webinar!

Whether you're thinking of using Twitter as a form of student notification or to drive participation, you will learn tips, tricks and best practices to help you take advantage of this new medium. You will learn how to:


Grow your Twitter followers
--> Distribute content and maximize effectiveness of your Tweets
--> Monitor what people are saying about your school
--> Use 3rd party tools to automate day to day operations
--> Measure success through analytics

Register Now for the Webinar!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Going Green! - Marketing Tactics

Going Green

Becoming eco-friendly is a growing trend in today's society, and more and more organizations are riding its wave into a profitable future. Because you've chosen to utilize online services, you now have a unique opportunity to boost both your organizations image and online participation. To help promote your Green online services check out our Going Green Templates.

Why Go Green?

Gives You a Message and a Reason. As mentioned in the "Steps 4 Success", you need to create an Awareness and Motivation for your online services. If your community thrives on going green, then this is a great message to focus your campaign (e.g. "Save a Tree, Participate Online!", or "Reduce Emissions, Drive Online!")

Saves Money. You can save a lot of money in terms of printing and mailing costs by opting for online solutions instead of in person, fax, or mailing services. Consider placing your catalogue online so that people can view it any place and at any time without a penny spent on paper.

Drives Online Participation. By eliminating print options, and focusing on online catalogues, brochures, and mailings, you give people more reasons to go online. Once they're comfortable viewing your materials online, a conveniently placed link to your website or online services can significantly increase participation. Adobe allows you to convert 5 documents to PDF (viewable online) for FREE! Click here for details.

Targets Your Audience. By hosting online documentation you'll be drawing in those who are comfortable online. By directing them to online documents, you're also directing this ideal net-savvy candidate to online services (your ultimate goal).

Means Controlled Printing. Realistically you'll have to print some materials for those who aren't comfortable with online documents. However, there are still print options that allow you to reduce your impact on the environment, and promote a green image:

- Keep track of how many of documents are used and adjust printing accordingly.
- Design your materials to be self-mailers so you don't have to use envelopes.
- Keep your mailing list clean (don't mail to those you know will just toss it).
- Use recycled paper rather than fresh cut (place a note on the document that the material is printed on recycled paper
to further strengthen your green image).
- Print on as light a weight of paper as possible.
- Try to print on both sides wherever you can.
- Use paper that can be recycled (i.e. no coatings, metallic embossing, or inks containing heavy metals) if you know it
won't be kept for long.
- Contract eco-friendly printers (just Google it to find them).
- Don't get caught up in the volume print discounts.

Email Essentials - Webinar link


Email has become one of the easiest and cheapest ways to reach your community. Are your emails getting read or deleted right away like this one?

Active Educate recently had a Webinar on Email Essentials and how to effectively reach your students and customers. We archive all our webinars so please check out the presentation below. I hope it is helpful and you are able to take away and apply some ideas to your email campaigns.

Topics Include:


· Email Campaign Planning
· Building and Maintaining Your List
· Design and Content Best Practices
· Improving Deliverability
· Email Metrics, Testing and Analysis

Let me know if you have success with any of the tips and I can share them with the community of Active users.

Here is the link to the Webinar along with the slides and some PCI compliance documentation:

http://www.activeeducate.com/thanks/email-essentials.htm

Friday, February 12, 2010

Digital Nation - How Connected Are You?

PBS's flagship public affairs TV series Frontline recently aired Digital Nation. This was a follow up to their 2008 special Growing Up Online and it was eye opening to see how connected we are to technology.

Check out this special online and think about how you use technology and how it impacts you good or bad.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/?utm_campaign=homepage&utm_medium=fixed&utm_source=fixed

Exerpt from Digital Nation -

But supporters of teaching with technology say it is vital for educators to keep students engaged by using the tools students have so thoroughly mastered in their everyday lives. "We have to be interactive, because [students] are accustomed to sitting in front of a screen, and they've got five windows up, and they're talking to three people at the same time," says Michael LaSusa, co-principal of New Jersey's Chatham High School. "We have to capture the attention of students. We almost have to be entertainers." In the South Bronx, Digital Nation finds administrators at a local public middle school who credit increased use of technology with helping boost both student attendance and standardized test scores.

How to Deliver Emails that Get Results - Webinar

Are you sending emails that are not getting looked at? Active Educate can help you increase your email campaign planning that get results.

Join the Webinar -

http://info.activeeducate.com/forms/feb10-emails-essentials-webinar-registration

When:February 24, 2010 Time:10am to 11:00am PST(1pm to 2:00pm EST)

Topics Include:
· Email Campaign Planning
· Building and Maintaining Your List
· Design and Content Best Practices
· Improving Deliverability
· Email Metrics, Testing and Analysis

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Active Customer Portal - All Users

Active Educators –

I hope 2010 is treating you well and participation is on the rise. Please let me know if there is anything you need, I look forward to hearing from you.

Last month The Active Network launched the Active Customer Portal and many of you have been actively using it. There is a lot of information in the Customer Portal and if you have any questions please let me know how I can help. For a quick tutorial check out the welcome video.

Active Customer Portal >> Community Discussion>> Frequently Asked Questions >> Video: Welcome to the Active Customer Portal

Active Customer Portal:
• Visit the eMarketing Center for tips, tools and other resources to help you increase participation
• Check out PRODUCT specific information to help answer any questions
• Submit SERVICE REQUESTS for any issues or immediate needs
• COMMUNITY DISCUSSION - Connect with and share ideas with other great minds in your industry across the entire Active Network!

Here is a link for the Training and Informational video

Please let me know your feedback and if I can help you with maximize participation.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Facebook Webinar - Active Educate Newsletter

http://www.activeeducate.com/Assets/Emails/2010/01-Edu/Jan10-TheBoard-web.html

Don't miss our next Webinar topic: Facebook Tips and Tools to Increase Participation.


If you run your school like a small business, take a lesson from major brands like Coca-Cola, Nike, Starbucks, and many more, that are taking advantage of Facebook to engage audiences, drive interaction, and increase sales and participation.

Join us on Thursday, January 28, for a free webinar on Facebook Tips and Tools to Increase Participation. In this webinar, Active Network's Director of Social Media, Justin Ramers, will provide an in-depth look at Facebook and show you how to leverage it to create a powerful marketing and student communication tool for your organization.

You will learn:

* How to establish a Facebook Fan Page for your organization
* News Feed and what it means to you
* Tips and tricks to grow your fan base
* Effective messaging for Social Media
* Analytics through Facebook Insights

When: Thursday, January 28, 2010
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time
(1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time)
Cost: Free

Register today, space is limited!

Did you miss a previous webinar? You can view any ActiveEducate webinar on-demand by following these links:
Social Media Tips and Tools to Increase Participation
Fundraising 2.0 - Quick & Easy Ways to Attract Online Donors
Drive New Revenue for Your Schools & Districts with Partnership Marketing
How to Boost School Funds, Fitness and Community Support
Best Practices for Internal Funds

Let me know if you need help signing up.

Jeff McHugh

Monday, January 18, 2010

THRIVA Users - Active Customer Portal Information

Active Network's New Customer Portal has Launched!

http://customerportal.activenetwork.com

Access it anytime! The new portal is completely separate from the Thriva system so you can access it from any web browser. On January 19th we will be adding access from within the system under Help > Support Requests > Submit Requests. Full login details can be found on the right side of this email.
Active Network's New Customer Portal gives you quick and easy access to our user community, support, product information, and the NEW eMarketing Center - all from a single location. Get the most out of your Active Network application by accessing the following Customer Portal areas:

Search the Knowledge Base. Get answers to your product questions by browsing our FAQs.

Access Support Requests. See the status and updates on any requests you have submitted.

Access the new eMarketing Center. Marketing resources to help you increase your online services, including custom templates and marketing tips and tricks.

Connect and Share with other Active users. Connect with other Active users in our discussion forums.
There's always a quick search area at the top of every page to help you find any related FAQs, forum discussions, or old service requests. Easy.

Let me know what you think!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Interview with Merit School of Music - Active Net user



School Standout: Merit School of Music

Sarah S. Wright, Director of Student Services

The Merit School of Music was founded in 1979 on the desire to provide life-changing experiences for children through music. This year, the school will reach 7,000 young people, in ages ranging from newborn to 18 years, at nearly 90 locations throughout metropolitan Chicago. Merit offers a sequential continuum of music education for children, from early childhood classes and vocal group instruction, to private lessons, theory classes, musical theater and jazz studies.



With a growing student population, Merit selected Active Network’s ActiveNet registration software to integrate the work of three separate systems into one centralized, Web-based system. “We aim to eliminate duplicate efforts and better utilize the talents of our admissions staff, affording us more time to spend with families and less time correcting or proofing data entry errors. So far we have the full admissions team on the system producing all work related to enrollment, our front desk operations staff using it daily to assist families making payments and inquiring about class availability, and our programming staff using it to produce reports, attendance, faculty and student schedules, and soon, payroll. Using the ActiveNet system, we expect to have better information, consolidated efforts surrounding workload, and trusted information for our families, faculty and staff.”

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Thriva Statements - Accounting Reports

What matters most? You getting your money! and this information is available in THRIVA Statements found under the help file. Below are some definitions that will help you use the statements to pull key financial information.

Thriva Statements additional information can be found - Help > FAQ > FAQ for Statements/Payments within your database.


Report Name - All Transactions

· Overview – Displays each transaction at the Financial Option level. Contains name of program (a) registered for, transaction type (payment, refund, purchase, etc…), GL codes (GL code will be blank if it has not been entered by the organization in the Programs area of the system) and both Account (b) and Individual(c) information for each transaction.



Report Name - Registrations

· Overview -- The Registrations summary will a breakdown of each registrant that signed up for an event. This includes how much they paid for the program and how they were put into the program (ie. New, Transferred in or Transferred out) and how they registered (online or internal).



Report Name - Event Summary

· Overview – The Event Summary report summarizes the allocation of each transaction, by program, producing a summary of each program’s financial information in a single row. If you select a category, it will display the category option which the program belongs too; if no option is selected the column will be blank.



Report Name - Event Detail

· Overview – The Event Detail report summarizes the allocation of each transaction into both the Program level and its corresponding individual financial option purchased, within that program, in a single row. If you select a category, it will display the category option which it belongs too; if no option is selected column will be blank.



Report Name – Category Summary

· Overview – The Category Summary report summarizes the allocation of each transaction into a category option and summarizes its financial information in a single row.

· Keep in Mind: You can create additional category types and category options, to better group Programs and create specific financial reports.

· Note: It is necessary to choose a Category Option for this report.



Report Name – Financial Option Summary

· Overview – Sums the allocation of each transaction by Financial Option displaying the name of each financial option, with the corresponding GL Code, and the total amount paid toward the Financial option in the given billing period. Each Financial Option is displayed row by row

· (a) – Program is our default word for what you may consider an event, conference, camp, session, etc…

· (b) – Account is our default word for what you may consider a family, group, etc…

· (c) – Individual is our default word for what you may consider a participant, player, camper, attendee, etc…