Chapter Administration and Membership Program (ChAMP)
Program Overview
ASTD offers the Chapter Administration and Membership Program (ChAMP) as an option to chapters to assist with reducing their administrative responsibilities. Approximately 45 percent of ASTD chapters use this service.
Here are some benefits of the program:
- ChAMP saves chapter leaders time. ASTD sends the membership invoices, takes the payments, maintains the database, changes member contact information, compiles reports, and sends them to chapter leaders each month.
- ChAMP saves the chapter money. For the 2008 year this service is free to chapters.
- ChAMP is convenient for chapter members. They receive a mailed renewal invoice 90 days and 60 days before their membership expires. One final email reminder is sent 30 days before the expiration date. They can pay chapter dues by check, credit card on the website, or a toll-free call with our customer service representatives. Chapter members can change their address or other information anytime online or via a toll-free call to customer service. They can also make multiple transactions with one payment, which many employers appreciate. For example, they can pay chapter dues, ASTD dues, buy books, etc., with one payment. When a member joins a ChAMP chapter via the online ASTD Store, they receive an instant confirmation email.
- ChAMP is a secure "backup" of chapter data, an added protection against crashes and other events that can cause data loss. It also allows chapter members to check their membership, address, and payment status
If you have questions, please consult the ChAMP Leader Guide, or contact your chapter coach or the ChAMP coordinator.
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) about the Chapter Administration and Membership Program (ChAMP)
Q: How do I find out more about the ChAMP?
A: Refer to the ChAMP Leader Guide or the ChAMP PowerPoint presentation. Then contact your chapter coach, or the ChAMP coordinator.
Q: Are chapters required to participate in ChAMP?
A: No. Like many ASTD resources for chapters, this is an optional program that was created based on feedback from chapter leaders. Individual chapters decide their need for this program.
Q: Can't chapters manage their own billing?
A: Yes, and many do. Some chapters can afford to pay a local person or management firm to handle the chapter membership billing, payment processing, etc. Some chapters handle it completely with volunteers. Other chapters can afford a management firm, but want the cost savings and services of using the ChAMP.
Q: How are dues payments sent to the chapters?
A: With the ChAMP, chapter members join and renew their memberships by paying on the ASTD website, calling customer service, or sending a check to ASTD for processing. ASTD processes all the credit cards and checks, and then sends one check to the chapter each month. The check is accompanied by a list of people who joined or renewed their chapter membership that month.
Q: What is the process for joining ChAMP?
A: Joining ChAMP is simple. To join, simply let the ChAMP coordinator know, complete a brief partnership agreement, and provide your current member list. In either case, the chapter board will need to do some advance planning or assessment. If you want to discuss this decision, your chapter coach can set up a conference call to discuss some of the benefits and considerations of joining ChAMP.
Q: What is required of chapters that are on ChAMP?
A: ASTD and chapters need to communicate at least once a month in order for ChAMP to work. Each chapter needs to assign a ChAMP chapter contact to interact at least once or twice a month with ASTD. The ChAMP contact can be any chapter leader, or chapter administrator.
The ChAMP chapter contact needs to inform chapter members of their payment options, and encourage them to use the toll-free customer service center and the website to make routine changes and payments. If any payments come through the chapter, the ChAMP chapter contact needs to forward the information to ASTD headquarters by the 25th of each month.
