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Chaverware February 2010 newsletter
Greetings!
As we prepare for Purim, those of you using our Shalach Manot module are just finishing up. This year we introduced an online option for Shalach Manot which was very well received. This allowed your members to enter their own Mishloach Manot orders or for your volunteers to do it remotely. All of the online options are really heating up here, and I'm sure that next year, many more of you will be taking advantage of both ChaverWeb and other online capablilities.
Chag Purim Sameach
Rob |
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NAASE 2010
On March 8, 2010, we will be attending the NAASE Conference in Houston, Texas. We will be at our "table" from 9 AM - 3 PM.
We will also be hosting our annual User Group session from 3:30 -5:00 PM. We hope that all in attendance will stop by to say hi, ask questions, challenge us and catch up on what's going on at Chaverware and with you. David Beyth, of Kesef Accounting Services will also be with us. So come by and learn whether outsourced bookkeeping is a viable option for you. |
Chaverware 5.2 hot fix
Chaverware 5.2 is available as a hot fix. You may ask, what exactly is a "hot fix"? A hot fix is a version of the program that is not "readily" or publicly available. It is a version of the program that has new features and/or fixes that have been tested internally, but not necessarily had sufficient field testing that allows us the comfort level for broad release. Hot fixes could have bugs in them, possibly even new ones. It's also possible that if you install a hot fix today, you may need or want to install another one tomorrow or the next day. If you are interested in receiving the 5.2 hot fix, please contact support, and we will make sure that it is appropriate for you to get it. Prior to getting 5.2, please be sure you are running the latest release, 5.1.29, of Chaverware 5 by clicking on Tools, Check for Updates in Chaverware. To see detail on some of the additions and fixes in the current 5.2.6 release please click here.
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ChaverWeb update
We continue to add more clients using ChaverWeb. While it takes some time for your members to "Catch on" and start using it, it has proven to be a great boon to those who have opted in. Having your members update their own demographic data and make donations while you're sleeping is just fantastic. Come into the office the next day, synchronize your data, and voilà, all that work is done for you! Some enancements made to ChaverWeb in the last month include:
- Implemented changes to improve the synchronization process so that it doesn't cause false errors
- Changed wording of "Charge the Card Below" to "Enter New Credit Card"
- Donate page now has "hourglasses" to show progress when you check the different options that open new sections
- Added total row for donation tables on the Admin statistics page
In ChaverWeb 2.0, we expect to have
- Event sign-up
- Religious school registration
- Ability for the members to see their account and pay their bill
For full information on ChaverWeb, click here to read the brochure. |
APPEAL VS. ANNUAL FUND brought to you by David Mersky
David A. Mersky is the Founder and Managing Director of Mersky, Jaffe & Associates, a consulting firm that works with congregations and other nonprofits to provide financial and human resource development solutions.
www.merskyjaffe.com
Do you consider your High Holy Day appeal your annual fund?
Before we get into the substance of the article, you should note that in the synagogue setting, we have found that as in most membership-based organizations, there are a series of ad-hoc appeals throughout the year. Most members tend to see these as nuisances. They feel as if they are constantly being dunned-"nickeled and dimed" as one person said or "death by a hundred solicitations" as another said to us.
The shift towards an annual fund program is a shift towards long-term sustainability.
In many synagogues, the major fundraising push takes place during the High Holy Days. These appeals may involve letters, cards, as well as the obligatory appeal speech during the services. They vary in interest (and response) depending on the speaker, but they all invariably ask for everyone to do their part in helping support the coming year of activities.
Why continue to make this appeal? In many ways, these one-day pitches are low cost - low return events. The maximum attendance combined with the holiday spirit - what could be better, you might think? But, if that is the principal way in which a congregation asks its members for philanthropic support, there is more than likely a lot of money being left on the table just waiting to be "developed."
Is There a Difference?
To find out the answer and read more about this, click here. | |
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Top 10 items from "Chaverware can do THAT? "
Each month we will present a capability of Chaverware that many customers are not using.
* Do you print a directory for publication to your membership?
* Are you desirous of a different internal membership list with custom information?
* Do you still print Rolodex cards?
All of these tasks are easy to do within Chaverware utilizing our "Roster" process. Determine who you will want included in this roster, children or no children. Then select the fields that you will want for each person. You can select one set of fields for primary adult, a different set for the secondary adult and yet a third set for the children. All of this data can then be merged into a custom Word file for printing in whatever way you choose.
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Extended Support Hours
Chaverware support is now available from
To request support, either click on Help/Request Support from within Chaverware or visit our website. | |
