It's
finally here!
We here
at AAPG headquarters have been working hard for months to upgrade
our member relationship computer system, and after a very LONG July
with lots of headaches and long hours, the new system is in place.
For staff,
this means easier, more efficient access to data — but the real
question is, what does this mean to you as a member?
Well, the
biggest change you will see as a member is online. The new system
is totally integrated with your Members Only area; previously the
Web site and main system were slightly out of sync, as they were
communicating only once or twice a day.
Now, when
you see something in "Members Only," it is the same thing the AAPG
staff members see when we look you up in our computers.
One of
the main features requested by members over the past few years is
the ability to change their passwords — and this new system makes
that a reality!
Once you
are logged on to Members Only, click the link marked "Profile" and
then find the gray "security" button near the right-hand side of
your screen. On the "Security Edit" screen you can put in a password
you would like to use.
The password
is encrypted in our system, which means not even AAPG staff can
view it.
But if
you lose it, never fear; there is a "Reset my password" link on
the log-in screen (this takes a few steps and requires that we have
a valid e-mail address on file for you), or you can contact the
membership department and have them manually set it to whatever
you like.
While you
are on that Profile screen:
-
Is your address correct? If not, click the gray "edit" button
to put in your correct phone number, e-mail or mailing address.
-
Note the "bio" link, where you can update the professional biography
you have on file with us.
-
If you haven't yet paid your dues for this year, you can take
care of that online by clicking the "events and orders" button,
or the "Dues" link on your Members Only home page.
-
Help AAPG find "Lost Members" page whose current address information
is not on file with AAPG. If you know how to find anyone on
that list, an e-mail back to us can help update our files.
Also available
online:
-
The AAPG Bookstore has moved to our servers, so now we can fill
your orders more quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively.
-
Registration for education courses is available in the new Members
Only area, and pre-registration for conventions and other meetings
will be added to this system as they become available.
-
You can make a donation to the AAPG Foundation, either in conjunction
with dues payment or at any time during the year.
All of
these functions go into one unified "shopping cart" — you can buy
a book, make a donation, sign up for a course and pay your dues
all in one place and with only one credit card transaction!
All credit
card information is encrypted over secure channels, so using your
card on our site is as safe as — or safer than — giving your card
to a waiter at a restaurant.
As with
any new computer system, there are just a few potholes and speed
bumps to know about.
In order
to receive member pricing on bookstore orders, you must log in before
you put items in your shopping cart. If you don't you will have
to empty your cart and re-add all of your items.
(The simplest
thing to do is to select "Yes" next to "Save password" on the Login
screen and you will automatically be logged in the next time you
visit.)
The Foundation
Contribution site, while easy to use, is not yet as self-explanatory
as we would like — but you can click the "FAQs and Helps" link
for more answers and more detailed instructions.
The bug
in some versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer for Windows that
was introduced not too long ago is still affecting our gold "One
Login" button for the BULLETIN Online. Again, the "FAQs and Helps"
page has information that can help.
(We expect
to have this fixed very soon.)
A few systems,
such as the DPA Directory and EMD Members Only area, have yet to
migrate to the new system, but you can expect to see that happen
very soon as well.
Finally,
if you have trouble logging in and you know you are using the correct
password, be aware that your Web browser must accept cookies from
our site to log in. Just enable cookies for "aapg.org" (www.aapg.org
will not work!) and you should be okay.
We are
very excited about this new system! More than 600 members logged
on and updated their personal information in the last week of July
alone. More than 130 members paid dues and more than 50 bookstore
orders came in during that same one-week period.
If you
have not logged in to the new system, why not give it a try?
If you
have a valid e-mail address on file with us, you should have received
your initial password in your e-mail; if not, contact the AAPG membership
department to add an e-mail address to your information and set
your new password.
We will
be adding new features to Members Only (and other parts of the AAPG
Web site) in the coming months, so get on board now and experience
this new benefit of membership!