Keeping 450 members informed and involved is a lot to manage. Doing it with an outdated address book, slow event registrations and limited payment options? That made the job even harder for Jennifer Elizabeth Gerçek, Board Administrator at International Women of Istanbul.
The board wanted to bring members together more often, but every event came with a long list of administrative tasks. Before they could focus on creating a great experience, they had to work through registrations, payments and member communication.
They needed a way to make all of that easier.
That’s Where WildApricot Came In
Three years ago, International Women of Istanbul moved its member information, event registrations and communication into one place. Gerçek finally had a simpler way to manage the details without jumping between different processes.
“For three years, I have been using the WildApricot,” says Gerçek. “I particularly like using the app to learn how many members are registered for an event. I also like using the email templates for communication with our 450 members.”
Those email templates quickly became one of her favorite tools. Instead of wrestling with a maze-like address book each time she needed to share an update, Gerçek could create an email and send it to the right members in just a few steps.
Email reports also helped her see which messages members were opening and which updates were getting their attention. That meant less guessing about what was working and a clearer idea of how to make the next email even better.
More Events, Less Event Admin
Before WildApricot, registering members for events was a slow process. Tracking registrations manually took time, and limited payment options added even more work for the board.
Moving those tasks online made the experience easier on both sides. Members had a smoother way to register and pay, while Gerçek could use the mobile app to check attendance wherever she was. With a quick look, she knew how many people were coming and could plan accordingly.
Once registration stopped feeling like an event of its own, the organization could start bringing members together more often. Annual meetings turned into weekly gatherings, creating many more opportunities for members to participate, catch up and stay connected throughout the year.
No More Wondering Who Needs What
Events weren’t the only thing that became easier. With 450 member accounts, keeping track of lapsed memberships and pending updates could easily turn into another time-consuming job.
Having that information organized in one place gave Gerçek a clear view of what needed attention. She could see which accounts required a follow-up and take care of updates without sorting through separate records or trying to remember where everything stood.
The result was a more manageable process behind the scenes and fewer details at risk of slipping through the cracks.
Making It Easier for Members to Join In
Younger members quickly responded to the smoother online registration experience. With fewer steps involved, it became easier for them to sign up and participate in upcoming events.
Some older members needed a little more time to get used to the technology, but the benefits of having a simpler and more consistent process soon became clear. The organization could support members through the change while continuing to make events and information more accessible to the full community.
From Managing Details to Building Connections
For International Women of Istanbul, WildApricot has helped turn a collection of time-consuming tasks into a process the board can manage with confidence. Communicating with 450 members is easier, registrations no longer require the same manual effort and important account updates are easier to find.
Most importantly, the organization can spend less time chasing down details and more time bringing its members together. What was once centered around an annual meeting has grown into weekly opportunities to connect.
“When I started using WildApricot three years ago, I was blown away by how user-friendly and reliable it is,” says Gerçek. “With scalable features, it’s intuitive and highly effective.”
Ready to Connect Better With Your Members?
If you’re ready to simplify communication, streamline event registration and boost engagement, see how WildApricot can help.
