Communication

Getting Started

Communication is a pivotal tool used everyday in your association to foster and maintain valuable relationships. ChamberMaster/GrowthZone offers the ability to communicate via email, SMS text, fax and print.

If you are just getting started with the Communication module, watch this overview video. Otherwise, just scroll down for FAQ, Common Tasks, and this module's Help Documentation.

E-mail Setup

Unsubscribe Options

A Public Disclaimer message may be configured to include on all Mass Emails or ALL Emails that are sent from ChamberMaster. Included in the disclaimer is a link that will give your members the option to un-subscribe from emails.

1. Click Setup
2. Click General Options & Settings.
3. Expand the Email Server Settings section and scroll to the Public Disclaimer.

   

   You may edit the message as desired, but the link to un-subscribe should not be altered.

4. Add Public Disclaimer to all Emails - select this option if you want to include the disclaimer on ALL emails generated through ChamberMaster. This will include emails sent via Groups, Email to multiple members and individually sent emails. If no selection is made, then the public disclaimer will only be included on Mass emails.
5. Allow Unsubscribe from ALL Emails - select this option if you wish to allow recipients to un-subscribe from both mass emails and individual emails. NOTE: This would un-subscribe them from emails sent for billing purposes.

Unsubscribing from Group Emails

When a mass email is sent to a group, clicking the link in the public disclaimer they will allow them to continue to receive emails for the group, opt-out of the group emails (NOTE: If the group has been configured to dis-allow opt-outs, they will be prompted to contact your organization), or to join additional groups.

Unsubscribing from Mass Emails

A mass email (by definition an email sent to more than one person) may be sent through the communications tab, by selecting Email to Multiple Members, or it may be created when sending Event Invites, etc. The public disclaimer will be included on these emails, and the recipient will have the ability to opt-out of all mass emails, subscribe to other lists, or continue to receive emails. Note: The recipient would continue to receive emailed billing transactions and any other emails sent to them individually.

Unsubscribing from ALL Emails

If you have selected Allow Unsubscribe from ALL Emails and included the public disclaimer on all emails, the recipient will have the ability to un-subscribe from all email communication whether sent from a group, a mass email (such as event invitations) or individually. This will include billing related emails.

NOTE: The Email Notifications (Additional Setting for Staff Admin) under Association Employees/Reps will be sent whether the member elects to unsubscribe from mass emails or all emails. The email sent to staff indicates what type of unsubscribe it was (Mass or All).

Resubscribing Members

A member's subscription status is indicated by the icon through-out the software:

• On a Group's roster Tab

To resubscribe the member:

1. Click the icon. A list of all the groups the member is subscribed to will be displayed.

   

2. Deselect the check-box for the groups to which you wish to resubscribe the member.
3. Click Save.

• On the Rep tab, Group Participation List

To resubscribe the member:

1. Click the icon. A list of all the groups the member is subscribed to will be displayed.

   

2. Deselect the check-box for the groups to which you wish to resubscribe the member.
3. Click Save.

• When sending an email, if the member has unsubscribed it will be displayed in the email

Manage Unsubscribed Emails Report

You can view a list of all members who have unsubscribed from emails, and resubscribe them from the Manage Unsubscribed Email report.

1. Click Communications in the left-hand menu.
2. Click Manage Unsubscribed Emails in the Monitor and Manage Communication section.

   

To resubscribe a member:

1. Click the Manage Subscriptions button.

   

2. Enter any part of First Name, Last Name or Email Address of the Rep to re-subscribe. The system will search for and find the appropriate rep.
3. A list of the the groups the rep belongs to will be displayed allowing you to resubscribe.

Communication Basics

Letters, labels, faxes and emails may be created and sent from the software. Letters and faxes are created by selecting Form Letters in the Communications module which is used to create mass mailings, send faxes, or send communication out by preferred delivery method.

Emails may be sent from many different places in the software - anywhere you find the email editor:

• Members Module
  • General Tab
  • Reps Tab
  • Communications Tab
  • Email icon on the tool bar
• Communications Module
  • New Email to Multiple Members
  • Email Member
  • Form Letters
• Events Module
  • Sponsor Tab
  • Guest List Tab

Email Sending Options

Once email recipients are selected in ChamberMaster/GrowthZone, there are two methods of sending the email.

1. Using ChamberMaster/GrowthZone's built in email tool.
2. Using Microsoft Outlook (if installed on your computer).

Depending on your needs, you may choose to send some email directly from ChamberMaster/GrowthZone and some from Microsoft Outlook. Each method has its own strengths.

Advantages to Sending Email with ChamberMaster/GrowthZone

• Easy access if already logged in
• Gives access to current addresses in your database
• Ability to create “mail merge” emails
• Ability to embed attachments as links
• Ability to use templates
• Ability to schedule the email for future delivery (for users of the Plus edition or greater)

Advantages to Sending Email with Outlook

• Access to additional email addresses not in your database
• May add additional CCs and BCCs
• Familiarity

Both methods of sending email will record in the Communication History. See Recording Communication History for more information.

Note: This selection will open whatever the email program is set as the default for your web browser. Whatever email program opens when you click on a “mailto” link is the email program that will be used when you click Email with Outlook.

Archive emails (record) in the database even when not logged in

In Outlook (or whatever email program you use), include your association's unique archive address as a BCC. The software will receive the email, and look at the address sent/replied to and place it on the communication history of the associated member. Emails with addresses that are not recognized will still be archived but placed under Communication -> Manage Unmatched Archive Emails where you can go to view and manually match them to the appropriate member.

In the example above this email will be recorded on the member record that has the email address of Joshua.johnson@gvpiping.com

Find your association’s domain address under the Email Server Settings section under Setup -> General Options and Settings.NOTE: Must be logged in with Administrator permissions

Notes:

• To use the archive feature, you must be sending the email from an email address that is listed as a staff email address under Setup -> Employee/Reps.
• Emails forwarded or cc'd to archive@youraname when multiple members/reps in your database share the same recipient address will be recorded in Communication --> Unmatched Archive Emails.
• In cases where there are two reps with an identical email address that belong to the same member, it will be recorded on that member’s history.
• In cases where two reps with identical email address belong to two different members, the archived email will still go to the unmatched archive email list.

Quick Guide to Sending an Email

Send an email from the software

1. Locate one of the screens mentioned in Communication Basics and click the email selection.
2. If applicable, select Email with ChamberMaster
3. If sending from the Communication module using New Email to Multiple Members or Form Letters, you will need to select the desired recipients first.
4. Create the email and click Send Email Now or Send Email Later (Available only for those with Plus or greater edition).
5. ChamberMaster will send the email immediately or at the scheduled time and record it on the Communication tab of the member’s record.

Note: All emails sent from ChamberMaster/MemberZone are sent BCC to the recipients.

Send an email using your own email program but through the software

1. Locate one of the screens mentioned in Communication Basics that is marked with an * (asterisk) and click the email selection.
2. Select Email with Outlook.
3. If sending from the Communication module using New Email to Multiple Members, you will need to select the desired recipients first.
4. Create the email using features and selections from your own email program and send the email.

ChamberMaster will automatically record the email on the Communication tab of the member’s record. Emails sent in this manner will be sent to the -selected recipients as BCC recipients. You may add your own personal CCs or BCCs as desired. This email will be recorded on the members’ communication history. Initial replies from the recipients will also be recorded as long as nothing is changed in the email header such as the Send to:, Subject line etc. Consider the record of the reply as a bonus and not something that can be relied on.

NOTES:

• Due to email size limitations imposed by many ISPs in battling spam, the email editor displays an email content size indicator that updates as you type. It also displays the maximum email size left available. Since email addresses also use some available byte size, ChamberMaster determines this maximum remaining email size after addressees have been selected.
• The recommended method of sending documents to your members is by linking to them within the body of the email rather than by appending them to your email message. ChamberMaster provides unlimited storage space for any documents which you would like to upload and link to in your email messages. See Adding an Attachment.
• Note that ChamberMaster limits both the individual attachment size and the total communication size for email messages sent via the communication module. The total communication size is calculated as: number of recipients x (message size + attachment size) = total communication size.
• The primary factor in staying under the size limits is the number of recipients to whom you are sending the message. This means that "in a pinch", dividing the recipient

Send a Mass Email

1. Click Communication in the left-hand menu.
2. Click New Email to Multiple Members.

   

3. Select desired recipients. NOTE: Addresses selected under the Add Members heading will use the contact information found on the General tab of the member’s record. Addressees selected under the Add Representatives heading will use the contact information found on the Reps tab of the selected individual rep.
4. Note any details of the email addresses displayed:

   • Invalid email addresses have been quarantined. This provides you with a notification that invalide emails address were found in your database. You can click on the View Quarantined Emails link to view a list of the invalid email addresses.
   • Contact has no email address - if this notification is displayed, you may click on <<edit address>> in the Email Recipients list to add the email address OR click the remove link to remove the recipient from the list.
   • Email occurs multiple times - if this notification is displayed, you can click the remove link to remove the duplicates from the email recipients list.

5. Click Edit with ChamberMaster or Edit with Outlook (if you wish to send this email using your own email program)
6. Compose the email message.
7. Click Send Email Now or Send Email Later (Available only for those with ChamberMaster Plus).

Schedule an Email

Available only for those with ChamberMaster Plus or greater

1. Locate one of the screens mentioned in Communication Basics and click the email selection.
2. If applicable, select Email with ChamberMaster.
3. If sending from the Communication module using New Email to Multiple Members or Form Letters, you will need to select the desired recipients first.
4. Create the email and click Send Email Later.
5. Select the desired date and time for the email to be sent.

   

6. Click Schedule.
7. Click OK.

ChamberMaster will send the email at the scheduled time and record it on the Communication tab of the member’s record.

To view the scheduled email to edit or delete, click Communication in the left hand menu, and click Manage Scheduled Email Messages.

Edit the content or change time of scheduled email

1. Click Communication in the left hand menu.
2. Click Manage Scheduled Email Messages.

   

3. Click Edit to edit the content or change the delivery time.

Delete a scheduled email

1. Click Communication in the left hand menu.
2. Click Manage Scheduled Email Messages.

   

3. Click Delete to remove the email from the delivery schedule.

If the email scheduler is not successful in sending the email to the email server, you will see a message next to the failed message “Scheduled delivery failed, please reschedule.” If you have taken care of sending the email through another means, click Delete. If you wish to schedule or send the email now, click Edit. Make desired changes and either Send Email Now or Send Email Later. If the error message continues to appear after attempting to re-send, contact support@growthzone.com

View Past Scheduled Emails

You may view emails that have been scheduled to ensure that they actually were scheduled. If you’d like to reschedule the email, you may do that here as well.

1. Click Communication in the left hand menu.
2. Click Manage Scheduled Email Messages.
3. Click the Past Scheduled Emails tab.

Send Communication by Delivery Preference

A single communication piece may be sent out to members by their preference of delivery: mail, fax, or email. When using the Preferred communication type Communication -> Form Letters the appropriate output will be developed for each recipient based on the member’s database fields. If addressees are selected as individual reps (by choosing the selections in the Add Representatives section) the preference as specified on their Reps tab in the Contact Preference field will be used. If addressees are selected as member companies (by choosing the selections in the Add Members section) the preference will be determined automatically according to the information specified on their General tab. If an email address exists, this will be the automatic first preference. If no email address exists, a complete mailing address would qualify as the next preference. Fax would be the last automatic preference. See FAQ How is the Contact Preference Used on the Reps tab?

1. Click Communication in the left-hand menu.
2. Click Form Letters.

   

3. Select desired recipients. NOTE: Addresses selected under the Add Members heading will use the contact information found on the General tab of the member’s record. *Addressees selected under the Add Representatives heading will use the contact information found on the Reps tab of the selected individual rep.
4. Select Preferred Communication Type as the way to Distribute By:
5. If applicable, click remove next to those identified under Preferred Communication Type as having no contact info, duplicate, or invalid info.
6. Click Continue and compose the content of the letter.
   • Step 1 - Create Mailings - this allows you to create print letters.
     • Click Print Letters, choose your Print Options selections and click Continue to print your letters.
     • Close the letter-printing windows and return to the letter composition window.
7. (Optional) Click Print Labels and complete the Mailing Label Options selections and click Continue.
8. Close the label-printing windows and return to the letter composition window.
9. Click Continue>>Faxes
   • Step 2 - Faxes - this allows you to fax the letter to those whose preference is to receive communications via fax.

   NOTE: Fax communication is not faxed directly from within ChamberMaster. Instead, ChamberMaster produces the output that may either be printed and inserted into your own fax machine or downloaded and saved to a file that may be imported into popular fax software programs like WinFax Pro. ChamberMaster also supports a number of Internet Fax services. Contact support@growthzone.com to see if your provider is supported.

   • • Make any modifications to the fax output.
     • Click Print Fax Content. Read more information on fax output options.
     • Close the print fax content windows and return to the letter composition window.
10. Click Continue>>Emails.
    • Step 3 - Emails - this allows you to email the letter to those whose preference is to receive communications via email.
      • Make any modifications to the email output. Make sure to type a subject line. Add attachments and links as desired.
      • Click Send Email.

Send Communication Based on Custom Report Criteria

Communication may be sent to selected reps based on custom criteria that you specify as you create a custom report.

For instance, your custom criteria might display those in a certain zip code area, or those that employ over 100 full-time employees. After displaying the results of your custom criteria selections, select Create a Group, type a Group Name, and select Submit. The next screen will give the option to Contact Members.

Figure 1-9a Create a group from Custom Report criteria

See “Create a Group from Custom Criteria” in the Reports and Downloads section for complete instructions on specifying your custom criteria and creating the group.

Creating a Letter

1.	Click Communication in the left-hand menu.

2.	Click Form Letters.

3.	Select the desired recipients.

4.	Select Mail Only as the way to Distribute By:

5.	If applicable, click remove next to those identified under Mail Only as having no contact info, duplicate addresses, or invalid addresses.

6.	Click Continue.

7.	Compose the letter.

8.	Click Print Letters, complete the Print Options selections and click Continue.

Make sure to check the box to Save letter to communication log and type the desired communication log title. In Figure 1-10 the entry will be saved as “Welcome to the Chamber”.

Figure 1-10 Print Options selections

9.	Preview the letters on-screen. Select Print Preview if desired to view the formatted output and remove unwanted headers and footers if applicable.

10.	Close the letter-printing windows and return to the letter composition window.

11.	Click Print Labels, complete the Mailing Label Options selections and click Continue.

Figure 1-11 Mailing Label Options

12.	Preview the labels on-screen and then select to print. In the Print window that appears, ensure that Page Scaling is set to None. For specific selections based on your version of Adobe Reader, see “Proper settings for label output” below.

13.	Close the label-printing windows and return to the letter composition window.

14.	Click Close.

Create Mass Mailing Labels

Single labels for a particular member are available in the Members module on the General tab, the Reps tab, and the Communication tab.

Selections for printing mailing labels for multiple members are found in the Communication module (Form Letters) and the Reports module (Mailing Labels). The Reports module selection gives additional options specific to mailing labels that are not available when printing labels in the Communication module, such as a selection to download the labels and view a postal code summary.

Print labels from the Reports module

1.	Click Reports in the left-hand menu.

2.	Click Mailing Labels in the Common Reports area.

3.	Add those that should have a label printed using one or more methods in the Settings area. See Figure 1-12.

4.	Select other desired mailing label settings.

Figure 1-12 Mailing label options in Reports module

5.	Click View/Print Mailing Labels.

6.	The selected labels will display.

7.	Insert the labels into your printer and click Print from the File menu or other desired method within your browser window.

8.	In the Print window that appears, ensure that Page Scaling is set to None. For specific selections based on your version of Adobe Reader, see “Proper settings for label output”.

9.	After selecting the desired local printer, click Print.

10.	Click Close to close the displayed labels.

 

Print labels from the Communication module

1.	Click Communication in the left-hand menu.

2.	Click Form Letters in the Correspondence area.

3.	Select the desired addressees from the selections in the designated blue area. See Figure 1-13 below.

Figure 1-13 Choose contacts

4.	Select Mail Only in the Distribute By area.

5.	Click Continue.

6.	Click Print Mailing Labels.

7.	Select the desired mailing label options.

Figure 10-3 Mailing label options in Communication module

8.	Click Continue.

9.	The selected labels will display.

10.	Insert the labels into your printer and click Print from the File menu or other desired method within your browser window.

11.	In the Print window that appears, ensure that Page Scaling is set to None. For specific selections based on your version of Adobe Reader, see “Settings for label output”.

12.	After selecting the desired local printer, click Print.

13.	Click Close on each window that displays the labels, mailing label options, and the member correspondence window.

Settings for label output

Labels printed through your software will first display on your screen in Adobe Reader, allowing you to preview the resulting labels before sending to the printer. However, one selection in the print dialog box must be changed from the default to allow proper control of label placement. This selection looks different based on the version of Adobe Reader that is installed on your own computer.

Page Scaling should always be set to None or 100% or Actual (wording varies depending on Adobe version). When Page Scaling is set to anything other than None (or the above identified choices), your labels may print off the labels or “slide” down the page as they print. You may say the labels shift or have improper alignment.

Tip: Sometimes your browser will open the PDF in a “mini reader” instead of using the Adobe program which doesn’t allow you to change these settings. You’ll need to disable these mini-readers in order to allow the software to control the label output properly. Watch a video to understand how this works.

Chrome Users: type in chrome://plugins and press Enter. Then disable the Chrome PDF Viewer and the Adobe Reader. See this page

Firefox Users: Select Options from the Tools menu. Click Applications tab and search for Adobe and also for PDF. Change each selection to Use Adobe Reader.

Internet Explorer Users: Select Manage Add-ons from the Settings menu. With Toolbars and Extensions selected change the Show drop-down to All-Add-ons. Then set the Adobe PDF Reader to Disabled.

Your Adobe Reader version will determine what this setting will look like.

Adobe Reader v. 8.0

Adobe Reader v. 7.0

Adobe Reader v. 6.0

 

Create/Send Fax Output

Send fax output using your fax machine or to download fax output

1.	Click Communication in the left-hand menu.

2.	Click Form Letters.

3.	Select desired recipients.

4.	Select Fax Only as the way to Distribute By:

5.	If applicable, click remove next to those identified under Fax Only as having no contact info, duplicate fax #, or invalid fax #.

6.	Click Edit with ChamberMaster.

7.	Create the fax output.

8.	Click Print Fax Content and/or Download Fax List. Read more information on fax output options.

Send fax output to an Internet Fax service

This requires a separate subscription with one of many well-known internet fax service. See “Internet Fax Service” in the “Administrator Tasks” section of online help for more information.

1.	Click Communication in the left-hand menu.

2.	Click Form Letters.

3.	Select desired recipients.

4.	Select Fax Only as the way to Distribute By:

Preferred Communication Type may be selected instead to select to send faxes only to those that have Fax selected as their preference.

5.	If applicable, click remove next to those identified under Fax Only as having no contact info, duplicate fax #, or invalid fax #.

6.	Click Edit with ChamberMaster.

7.	click Add/Remove Attachment.

8.	Select Append your file to the email directly.

Figure 10-3a

9.	Click Continue.

10.	Click Browse… to locate the desired fax attachment file.

11.	Click Attach.

12.	Click Return.

Figure 10-3b – Selecting the desired fax attachment

13.	Click Send Faxes via . . .

Figure 10-3c - Sample of the Send Faxes button when using eFax

Some email fax services may accept the cover page or the main content of the fax in the editor area instead of attaching the content and cover page as an attachment. Check with your email fax service or contact ChamberMaster for more information.

Editor menu selections

ChamberMaster uses an editor when creating letters, emails, and faxes that includes many enhanced features. Features include:

HTML preview screen

Templates

Search and Replace

Undo and Redo

Strikethrough text

Superscript and subscript

Insertion of tables, divider lines, symbols, special characters, and emoticons

Paste text with or without formatting

The editor comes integrated with a spell checking solution that provides spell checking while you type. Words not recognized will be underlined in red. Right click on the word to be presented with suggestions, an option to Ignore, or add the word to your dictionary.

The following table describes the basic functions of the editor

Table 1-1 Editor icons

Email Disclaimer

Email Disclaimers appear at the bottom of certain emails generated by our software.

To edit the disclaimer

1.	Click Setup in the left-hand menu.

2.	Click General Options and Settings.

3.	Open the Email Server Settings area.

4.	Edit the desired disclaimer

5.	Click Save.

 

Internal Email Disclaimer: appear on emails sent from inside the database, typically emails sent from you to your members. Disclaimers do not appear on the bottom of emails sent using the “Send with Outlook” selection

Public Email Disclaimer: appear on emails that are generated by visitors that access your public website and click links that send emails to you or your members. For instance the “Request Info” link found on the members’ public information page.

Adding an attachment

Increasingly when users send email attachments, ISP spam filters are identifying these innocent but potentially large attachments as spam. Consequently these emails and attachments never make it to their intended recipient.

Selecting the option to upload your attachment to a server will eliminate this frustrating problem. Once the file has been uploaded to the ChamberMaster server and selected, a link is generated and automatically placed inside your email allowing the recipient to click to receive their attachment.

There are three options available when selecting Add/Remove Attachment:

Figure 2-1 – Three attachment options

ΠUpload your attachment file to the ChamberMaster server and include a link to that file in your email. - - produces an email that reduces the size by including a link to the file instead of actually sending the file. Recipients of the email will retrieve the attachment from the secure ChamberMaster server by clicking the designated link within the email. This selection is the same as the Add an Attachment icon () on the editor tool bar.

 Include a link within the email to a file hosted on your chamber website. - - allows the sender to create a hyperlink to documents or URLs located on other servers. A custom email link may also be generated using this selection. This selection is the same as the Insert/Edit Link icon () on the editor tool bar.

Ž Append your file to the email directly. - - the traditional way of sending attachments. This selection will send the document with the email

Explained below are the steps for option Œ, which is the recommended selection to reduce problems when sending through your ISP.

Sending an email with a link that will display the attachment

This selection is the same as the Add an Attachment icon () on the editor tool bar.

1.	Any time while creating the desired email, click Add/Remove Attachments ()

2.	Click Upload your attachment file to the ChamberMaster server and include a link to that file in your email. See Figure 2-2 below.

Figure 2-2 Add Email Attachments

3.	Click Continue.

4.	Type the desired text in the Text for Attachment Link field. Then click Browse Server. See Figure 2-3 below.

Figure 2-3 – Add File Attachments

5.

Browse to the desired file and click it to select. See Figure 2-4 below. Or you may upload a new file to the ChamberMaster server by clicking Browse, browsing to the desired file, click to select, click Open, and then click Upload. See Figure 2-5 below. Then you may click the desired file to select it. See Figure 2-4 again.

Figure 2-4 Browse to desired file

Figure 2-5 Uploading your file

6.	Click OK. See Figure 2-6 below.

Figure 2-6 The last step

Turn on email links

When receiving an email that contains embedded hyperlinks (links), the recipient may have trouble accessing the links due to settings prohibiting these links within their own email program. Many email programs disable access to these links by default in an attempt to alleviate phishing threats from untrusted sources.

To successfully open an embedded email link, the recipient needs to turn on the access to email links, either temporarily for a single email or globally for all emails.

The instructions below are when using Microsoft Outlook 2003 or 2007 but other email programs may contain similar selections. Contact your email software provider for specifics related to your particular email program.

Possible error displayed when trying to open a link in Microsoft Outlook 2003

Figure 2-7 Error in Microsoft Outlook 2003

To turn on email links temporarily for this email (using Microsoft Outlook 2003)

1.	After clicking the disabled link in the email, click Click here to turn on links in the Information bar above. See Figure 2 below.

Figure 2-8 Turn on links temporarily

2.	Click Turn on Links (not recommended).

3.	Click the link within the email again.

To turn on email links for all emails (Microsoft Outlook 2003)

Beware: Turning on all email links provides easier access to potentially harmful situations when the sender of an email wishes to direct you to a fraudulent site.

1.	Before opening the email that has the links, click Options from the Tools menu.

Figure 2-9 Tools, Options

2.	Click Junk Mail on the Preferences tab.

Figure 2-10 Preferences tab

3.	On the Options tab, click to clear the check box Don’t turn on links in messages . . .

Figure 2-11 Take check off

4.

Click OK.

5.

Click OK.

6.	Open the desired email and try clicking the links again.

Possible error displayed when trying to open a link in Microsoft Outlook 2007

Figure 2-12 Error in Microsoft Outlook 2007

To turn on email links temporarily for this email (using Microsoft Outlook 2007)

1.	After clicking the disabled link in the email, click This might be a phishing message . . . (not recommend) in the Information bar above. See Figure 7 below.

Figure 2-13 Turn on links temporarily

2.	Click Enable Links and other functionality (not recommended).

3.	Click the link within the email again.

To turn on email links for all emails (Microsoft Outlook 2007)

Beware: Turning on all email links provides easier access to potentially harmful situations when the sender of an email wishes to direct you to a fraudulent site.

1.	Before opening the email that has the links, click Options from the Tools menu.

2.	Click Junk Mail on the Preferences tab.

Figure 2-14 Preferences tab

3.	On the Options tab, click to clear the check box Disable links and other functionality in phishing message.

Figure 2-14 Take check off

4.

Click OK.

5.

Click OK.

6.	Open the desired email and try clicking the links again.

 

Viewing and Recording Communication History

Communication history for your members is automatically logged on the Communication'tab of the member’s record when emails are sent. eReferrals are automatically logged as well. Phones calls can manually be added to the log. And when letters or fax output is printed you can include an entry in the history if you choose. Other actions trigger an entry such as membership application approvals and invoices (Integrated Billing only).'

View history communication history

Communication history can be viewed for a single member or viewed for the entire membership at once. See more on how to create the entries in the history.

View history for a single member

1. Select the desired member in the Members module.
2. Click the Communication tab.

   

1.	Click Communication in the left-hand menu.

2.	Click Member Contact Report.

3.	Select desired filters and click Refresh Listing.

Figure 3-2 Contact Report Listing

More details on available filter options – Table 3-2

“Display bulk mail correspondence…”: When selected the history will include emails that were sent to multiple individuals at one time. This would include even those that had been sent to only 2 or more individuals.

Task Categories: Tasks are created by you; create your own Task Categories to assist in organizing your communication. Communication may be sorted and filtered by Task Categories. A staff person with Admin permissions can create these under Setup->Correspondence Categories.

 

View a entry

1.	Find the communication history using one of the ways listed above.

2.	Hover over the Subject title of the entry that you wish to view.

3.	The contents of the entry will display immediately in a pop-over window.

Delete a Communication History item

1.	Find the communication history using one of the ways listed above.

2.	Click the title of the desired item in the Subject column.

3.	Click Delete.

Print the Communication History entries

1.	When viewing the communication history, click Reports and select Print Summary Report or click Print Detailed Report.

2.	Follow the on-screen steps to print the output.

Export the Communication History entries

1.	When viewing the communication history, filter the history as desired.

2.	Click Reports and select Download Detail Report.

3.	Follow the prompts on your screen to either open or save the Comma Separated Value (.csv) file. If the data is displayed immediately, you may wish to select Save from the File menu to ensure this data is available for viewing at a later time.

 

See more on how to create the entries in the history.

Quick Communication Application (QCA)

For users of Plus edition or greater, communication can also be viewed and recorded when not logged into the software when the Quick Communication Application is running. See the steps below to install this Windows-only program.

Install Quick Communication Application (QCA)

Requirements: Plus edition or greater only. The QCA also requires Microsoft Windows and is not available on the Mac at this time.

1.	Login to your software with administrator privileges.

2.	Click Setup in the left-hand menu.

3.	Click Install Quick Communication Application.

4.	Click Install.

Figure 3-3 Screen during installation of Quick Communication Application

5.	Type your database login name and password of the individual that will be recording the history.

Figure 3-4 Login credentials screen during installation of Quick Communication Application

6.	Click Save.

7.	Wait and then the QCA (Quick Communication Application) icon will appear in the system tray (down by your clock).

8.	Right click the icon to quickly record a communication entry, eReferral, or Info Request.

Recording a Communication Entry using the QCA

(Plus edition or greater only)

1.	Make sure the QCA is installed and running in your system tray. You will see the icon displaying.

After installation, the QCA may need to be loaded after restarting Windows. Click the Windows Start button ->All Programs->ChamberMaster->Quick Communication Application.

2.	Right-click the QCA icon.

3.	Make the desired selection: New Communication, New eReferral, New Info Request.

Figure 3-4 Quick Communication Application selections

4.	Complete the onscreen entries which will be recorded in your software.

 

Sample New Communication History entry using QCA

 

Inserting a graphic

Adding graphics to your correspondence is a simple process that requires initially uploading the graphic to the secure ChamberMaster server. Once uploaded by a chamber staff member, it is available to all chamber staff for inclusion within correspondence.

Most graphic file types may be uploaded including .jpg, .bmp, .gif, .png and .wmf.

The editor can be accessed from multiple places within ChamberMaster. For one example, click New Email to Multiple Members in the Communication module. After selecting the desired recipients, the correspondence editor will display.

Graphics may also be included in your signature block. Perform the same steps shown here but save it within your signature block.

Insert a graphic within communication

1.	When your cursor is positioned where the graphic is desired within the editor, click Insert/Edit Image .

2.	Click Browse Server.

Figure 4-1 Browse server

3.	Browse to the desired file and click it to select. See Figure 4-2 below. Or you may upload a new file to the ChamberMaster server by clicking Browse, browsing to the desired file, click to select, click Open, and then click Upload. Then you may click the desired filename to select it.

Figure 4-2 Insert graphic

If you choose to upload a new file to the secure ChamberMaster server, this file is also available to all chamber staff for inclusion in their documents.

4.	Make any desired changes on the Image Properties screen and then click Continue. See Figure 4-3.

Figure 4-3 Image Properties

Modify an existing graphic (graphic size, borders, alternative text)

1.	Locate the graphic that you desire to edit on the editor screen.

2.	Right-click the graphic.

3.	Click Image Properties.

4.	Make desired changes. See Figure 4-3 in the previous section “Inserting a Graphic within Communication”.

5.

Click OK.

Remove an existing graphic (from the editor screen)

1.	Locate the graphic that you desire to edit on the editor screen.

2.	Right-click the graphic.

3.	Click Cut.

Figure 4-4 Allow access

 

1.	Click Allow access if necessary.

Remove a graphic (from the ChamberMaster server)

1.	Within the editor, click Insert/Edit Image .

2.	Click Browse Server.

3.	Click the X at the end of the desired graphic to be removed from the ChamberMaster server. See Figure 4-5.

Figure 4-5 Remove graphic from the server

4.

Click OK.

Figure 4-6 Delete confirmation question

5.	Click Close.

Working with Templates/Documents

Communication created may be saved for future use in one of two ways - - as a document or a template. Saving a document allows you to name and save the communication piece to be retrieved at a later time, modified, and saved again. Saving a template allows you to save the communication piece to be retrieved at a later time but will not allow any modifications to be made to the original, thus maintaining the integrity of that communication piece.

Accessing and Using Communication Templates

Saving a document

1.	Open the editor and create the desired communication piece.

2.	Click Save ( ).

3.	Complete the Save Name and Description fields in the Save window ensuring that Save the text as a new document is selected. See Figure 5-1 below.

Figure 5-1 – Save window

4.

Click OK.

Saving changes to an existing document

1. Open the existing document and make desired changes.
2. Click Save .
3. Click the Update an existing document radio button.
4. Click the Update an existing document arrow to select the desired document to update.

   

5. Click OK.

Saving a Template

1. Open the email editor and create the desired communication piece or open an existing document and make any desired changes.
2. Click Save .
3. Complete the Save Name and Description fields in the Save dialog box.
4. Click the Save the text as a new template radio button.

   

5. Click OK.

Using a template

1.	Open the editor.

2.	Click Choose a Template ().

3.	Click the template title to select the desired template.

Figure 5-4 – Choose a template

Using Pre-defined Templates

A number of predefined templates are provided that may be selected and brought onto your own list of templates. You may use these templates “as is” or choose to modify and then re-save with your own name.

Adding a Predefined Template

1. In the email edit screen, click the Choose a Template button.

Figure: The email edit screen and Choose a Template button.

2. Click Predefined Templates.

Figure: Selecting Predefined Templates

3. Click the template title to select the desired predefined template.

Figure: Sample of predefined templates

4. Click OK to select another template right now or click Cancel to return to your own list of templates.

5. Once on your list of templates, click to select the desired template.

6. All fields with [ ] will auto-fill with the data from the member’s record or from your association contact information where appropriate.

Other Communication Tools

---

Push Notifications

---

Push Notifications are a fast and efficient way to communicate with your members. They can help you send real-time updates and reminders that get your members to regularly engage with you, even if they’re not aware of it. You can target the right members by selecting to send to just individual groups, or to all of your members.

NOTE: Push Notifications are received by those Reps who have downloaded the MemberPlus App. See MemberPlus: An App For Your Members for more information.

Send a Push Notification

---

1. Click Communication in the left-hand navigation panel.
2. Click Push Notification in the Other Communication Tools section.

   

3. Select the Recipients:
   • Click the check-box for the Group(s) to which you wish to send the notification

   OR

   • Click All users in your association to send the notification to all reps in your association.
4. Enter your message in the Message to push out text box.
5. Click Send out message.

All representatives, who have downloaded the MemberPlus App, will receive the notification. See View Notifications in the MemberPlus App for details.

View Push Notification History

---

1. Click Communication in the left-hand navigation panel.
2. Click Push Notification in the Other Communication Tools section.

   Click the History tab.

Working with Blogs

---

Blogs are a great way to get your message out to your members and the public. Users with Pro Edition can now create one or more blogs that integrate perfectly with your website and Member Information Center. Watch a quick video on what the Blog feature can do for you:

Create a Blog

---

Watch a video on how to create a blog:

1. Click Communication in the left-hand menu.
2. Click Manage Blog in the Other Communication Tools section.

   

3. On the Blog Tool Home tab, click the Create New Blog button.

   

4. Enter a Name (required). This may be displayed on your website.
5. Enter a Description for your blog. This may be displayed on your Website. (optional)
6. Click Save. The Posts tab is displayed. Add your first post:
7. Click New Post.

   

8. Enter a Title for your post. This field is required. Recommended max characters ~50-60 for best SEO results.
9. Enter your Post. You may use all of the standard rich text editor functions, including adding images and links.
10. Enter a Post Summary.
11. Enter the Date displayed on the post. This will provide your readers an understanding of how current the post is.
12. Select a Category(ies) for this blog. Categories help organize your blog, and make it easy for readers to find what they are looking for. Click the edit link to add/edit categories.
13. Enter Tags separated by commas. Enter a word or phrase that specifically identifies what is a key topic in this particular post. Tags are meant to describe specific details of your posts. Think of these as your site’s index words. They are the micro-data that you can use to micro-categorize your content. Tags are not hierarchical. . On the
14. Author: Your name will automatically be entered here but feel free to put in the name of your guest blogger if you have one. The author's name shows next to the post title. The author name will be displayed on the blog posts.
15. Settings: Configure the following settings as desired:
    • Allow/view comments: If Allow/View Comments is selected, visitors to the post will have the option to add their comments to your post and see comments by others that are marked as Approved.

    • Require name and email address when submitting a comment (if not checked, anonymous comments are allowed): Enable this option if you would like visitors to provide name and email address when submitting a comment. NOTE: The email address will not be displayed in the blog, but will be available to your staff in the back-office.
    • Require comment approval by staff: Enable this option if comments must be approved by your staff prior to being published on your page. If comment approval is required, an email address must be listed to receive the comment notifications on the Share Blog tab. If you are not too concerned about negative feedback on a post, we recommend allowing immediate display simply to encourage quick and healthy conversations on your post.

    Allow likes: Select this option if you wish to allow visitors to like posts in the blog.

16. Published: To display this post in the blog, select Published. NOTE: The post will only be displayed if the blog itself has been made active.
17. Click Close.
18. Click Save.

Share your Blog

---

Once you have created your blog, you may share it in a variety of ways: send a link to the blog to interested parties; add the link to your web-page as a new page; add a widget to your web-page.

To share your blog:

1. Click Communication in the left-hand menu.
2. Click Manage Blog in the Other Communication Tools section.

   

3. On the Blog Tool Home tab, click the blog that you wish to share.
4. Click the Share Blog tab.

   

5. Configure the following:
   • Blog Status: Set the blog to Active. Setting the blog to active makes the blog publicly available if the URL is known and accessed by the public. You would still need to add the blog to your website as a separate step in order to make it easily available.
   • Click Change Settings to adjust any additional settings related to the public display:

   

   • Include Index on blog page: The blog page can display an index of the blogs posts by date and/or by category. If very few posts exists, the date index may not be necessary. The category index is helpful for visitors to easily locate the content they might be looking for.

   • Index by date: Index by date will display the year and then the quantity of posts in that year. Then it will display the month followed by the quantity of posts in that month. Visitors will be able to click the year or click the month to filter the blog results to those posts only.
   • Index by category: Index by category will display only those category names where posts are assigned with a quantity besides the category name. Visitors will be able to click the category name to filter the blog results to those posts only.

   • Number of posts to include on blog landing page: This option allows you to limit the number of posts displayed on you blog - visitors can scroll to view additional posts. (0 = unlimited posts with 'infinite scrolling').
   • Email comment notifications to: If you have configured the blog to require staff approval for visitor posts, enter the email address(es) of staff who should receive notification. You may enter multiple email addresses separated by commas. By default, the email address of the person that created the blog will be listed automatically.
   • Settings:

   • Send notification only if comment requires approval: Select this option if you only wish to be notified of comments added that require approval. If deselected, a notification will be sent each time a comment is added to the blog.

   Show description on blog landing page: Select this option if you wish the description of the blog to be displayed on the blog landing page.

   • Click Save to save the advanced settings.

6. Distribute your blog:
   • Copy and email this link to interested parties: Copy and email the link that is listed here into the body of your email and send it to those you'd like to invite to read your blog.
   • Add this link to your website as a new page: For SmartCMS Users, nothing needs to be done on the Share Blog tab. A web module is available to you. For other CMS users, copy the link that is displayed here, when in your CMS software, choose the selection for adding a link to your menu.
   • Advanced: Embed as a widget on your website: For SmartCMS users, nothing needs to be done on the Share Blog tab. A widget is available to you to easily add the blog to your web-site. For other CMS:

   • Click the Generate widget code. This will bring you into the Internet Settings Control Panel (ISCP)
   • Click the Widgets tab.
   • From the Widgets drop-down list, select Blog.
   • Select from the list of available blogs. (Note: only active blogs will be displayed in the list).
   • Make any desired changes to the default options.
   • Click Generate. The HTML code will be displayed in the window at the bottom of the screen.
   • Use this code to add the blog to your web-site.

Add a New Post to Your Blog

---

When it comes to your blog, you should make regular posts on a consistent basis. Your regular blog readers will be looking for new posts from you, and when they don’t find them, will assume that your blog is not that important to you and will quickly lose interest. Posting consistency also applies to the specific days of the week when you publish new content. If you start out posting every Monday and Thursday, you need to continue to post every Monday and Thursday.

1. Click Communication in the left-hand menu.
2. Click Manage Blog in the Other Communication Tools section.

   

3. On the Blog Tool Home tab, click the blog that you wish to post to. The Posts tab will display. NOTE: You are adding a post to an existing blog NOT creating a new blog.

   

4. Click the New Post button.
5. Enter a Title for your post. This field is required. Recommended max characters ~50-60 for best SEO results.
6. Enter your Post. You may use all of the standard rich text editor functions, including adding images and links.
7. Enter a Post Summary.
8. Enter the Date displayed on the post. This will provide your readers an understanding of how current the post is.
9. Select a Category(ies) for this blog. Categories help organize your blog, and make it easy for readers to find what they are looking for. Click the edit link to add/edit categories.
10. Enter Tags separated by commas. Enter a word or phrase that specifically identifies what is a key topic in this particular post. Tags are meant to describe specific details of your posts. Think of these as your site’s index words. They are the micro-data that you can use to micro-categorize your content. Tags are not hierarchical. . On the
11. Author: Your name will automatically be entered here but feel free to put in the name of your guest blogger if you have one. The author's name shows next to the post title. The author name will be displayed on the blog posts.
12. Settings: Configure the following settings as desired:
    • Allow/view comments: If Allow/View Comments is selected, visitors to the post will have the option to add their comments to your post and see comments by others that are marked as Approved.

    • Require name and email address when submitting a comment (if not checked, anonymous comments are allowed): Enable this option if you would like visitors to provide name and email address when submitting a comment. NOTE: The email address will not be displayed in the blog, but will be available to your staff in the back-office.
    • Require comment approval by staff: Enable this option if comments must be approved by your staff prior to being published on your page. If comment approval is required, an email address must be listed to receive the comment notifications on the Share Blog tab. If you are not too concerned about negative feedback on a post, we recommend allowing immediate display simply to encourage quick and healthy conversations on your post.

    Allow likes: Select this option if you wish to allow visitors to like posts in the blog.

13. Published: To display this post in the blog, select Published. NOTE: The post will only be displayed if the blog itself has been made active.
14. Click Close.
15. Click Save.

Mail Merge

Similar to performing a Mail Merge in Microsoft Word, ChamberMaster / GrowthZone maintains the ability to insert a database field within the context of your communication piece, creating personalized, unique communication output.

Inserting a database field

[Database Fields into Communication]

1.	Open the editor window and type any text that will be consistent for all recipients. Example:

Figure 6-1 Example letter that will contain Database fields

2.	When you desire to insert a database field, click the Add Database Field icon. ().

3.	Click the plus sign () to expand the desired section and display available database field selections.

Figure 6-2– Add Database Field window

4.	Click to select the desired database field. The selected field will display in the editor window within brackets. e.g. [Company Name]

As you continue and actually generate the communication output, the field name will be replaced with the appropriate matching data for that member.

5.	Proceed with standard steps to complete this communication. All fields displayed in brackets will be filled with data from the member’s record.

Figure 6-3 Sample letter with Database Field inserted

Sending Login Information

Your members will want to login to the Member Information Center in order to view and update their membership information and member webpage, view and add Hot Deals, view and submit events, and view and add job postings.

Instead of sending their login name and password to them, you can generate an email and include a link so the member can automatically retrieve their login information.

A number of pre-defined templates are provided that are ready to send out and already include links to your login page and a link where they can retrieve login information. See “Using Pre-Defined Templates”. Feel free to use any of these or use the steps below to create communication of your own.

If you still wish to send out the login and password to your members, follow the next steps to create and print individual letters to each of your members that include login information. Sending passwords via mail may be more secure for sending passwords since most email is unencrypted. If you desire to send the login information via email, follow the same general steps below except you will select New Email to Multiple Members for Step #2.

Remove Unwanted Headers & Footers

When creating reports and correspondence in ChamberMaster, the preview window is displayed in a browser window (i.e. Internet Explorer). Internet Explorer has a default header and footer that are wonderful when printing pages from the web, but when printing out your formal ChamberMaster reports or letters it is not usually desirable.

Header and Footer Codes

The codes with the & (ampersand symbol) represent certain elements within the Internet Explorer header and footer. Use these to customize your own header or footer!

Code	Element the code represents
&w	Window title
&u	Page address (URL)
&d	Date in short format specified by Regional Settings in Control Panel
&D	Date in long format specified by Regional Settings in Control Panel
&t	Time in the format specified by Regional Settings in Control Panel
&T	Time in 24-hour format
&p	Current page number
&P	Total number of pages
&&	A single ampersand (&)
&b	The text immediately following these characters as centered
&b&b	The text immediately following the first "&b" as centered, and the text following the second "&b" as right-justified

Table 7-1 Header & Footer options

Creating a Signature Block

Saving your signature block as a template may save time when creating correspondence. Design your signature block with any included text and graphics. You may also include items that would belong in the header such as your logo. Save it as a template. When ready to create your correspondence, first retrieve the signature block using the Choose a Template selection. Then type your correspondence above your signature block.

1. Click Communication in the left-hand navigation bar.
2. Click Email a member.
3. When the editor displays, create the desired signature block.

   Hint: You might want to start the signature block with two blank lines before your actual signature lines.

   

4. Click Save.
5. Complete the Save Name/Description fields in the Save window.

   

6. Click the Save the text as a new template. radio button.
7. Click OK.

After creating the signature block, it may be used at any time when sending emails or letters. See “Using a Signature Block”.

Using a Signature Block

1. Open the editor by selecting one of the many ways to send an email or create letters in the software.
2. Click Choose a Template.
3. Click the template title to select the desired signature template. Your signature block will appear.

   

4. Type the desired communication. Your signature block will “move” down the page as you type the communication.

Communicating Using Groups & Mailing Lists

Sending communication via email and letters may be simplified by creating self-defined groups in the ChamberMaster Groups module.

For instance, if you frequently send emails to your Budget Committee . . instead of selecting the 12 members of that committee each time you send an email, you first create a group in the Groups module called the Budget Committee. Add each of the 12 members to that group. Then when you go to send the email, you simply select the Budget committee as the recipient of the email with one simple click.

If you send a monthly newsletter, the Groups module is where you will create and maintain this mailing list group. This group may then be selected at the appropriate time throughout ChamberMaster when you desire to send them email or print mailing labels and letters for them.

Figure 9-1 the Groups module

Creating a group or mailing list

REDIRECT Groups

Groups

1. Click Groups in the left-hand menu.
2. Click Create a Group on the Home tab.

   

   Figure: Create a group

3. Complete the Create a New Group fields for this new group.

   

   Figure: "Create a New Group" fields–tabbed view

4. Click Save.
5. Click the Group Name of the new group on the Home tab.
6. Click the General tab. Make sure the settings are correct.

   

   Group Options and Settings

   1. When selected, this roster list will be shown as a group/interest that may be searched by members in the Member Information Center.
   2. When selected, members will have opportunity to join/leave this group/interest on their own in the Member Information Center. The selection of Group Participant list or Rep Interest list determines where the selection will take place – under Groups or under Interests. Interests.
   3. This option allows the group to be contacted through the Member Information Center Message Center
   4. When selected, this group will display on your website in the Groups public module available at http://yoursubdomain.yourdomain.com/groups.

      • Click Public Display Settings to modify how the group is displayed

   5. When selected, this group will appear on your public website at the suggested URL where the public may add themselves to the group. Often used for consumers to subscribe to (join) your mailing lists.
   6. When selected, this group name will be displayed on the email subscription opt-in/out page
   7. When selected, this group cannot be unsubscribed from
   8. When selected, this group will be accessible through the community app (when purchased)
7. Click the Roster tab.
8. Click one or more of the Add Group Members selections to add members to your group.
9. Continue adding representatives to your group using the Add Group Members selections until your group is complete.

Selections for adding group members

Examples of the various ways to add group members follows.

Add representatives by type/status

Figure 9-5 Selecting reps by type/status

Community Member Reps are those individuals specified on the Reps tab in the Members module for the record titled [Community Member]. These individuals are not associated with a particular company/member but may still be selected as group members.

Add representatives by member

Figure 9-6 Selecting reps by member

When selecting to add reps by member, all reps from that selected member will be added to the roster list. Then, if desired, you may remove all Inactive reps by clicking Remove Inactive Reps at the bottom of the roster. All inactive reps from all members would be removed from the group at that time.

More than one member may be selected by pressing Ctrl-click on each desired member. Then click the >> arrow.

Add representatives by category

Figure 9-7 Selecting reps by category

In this example, the Automotive Parts & Service category has only one active member but also one member that may be courtesy, prospective, non-member or dropped. With settings currently displayed, only the one member’s reps will be added to the group.

Only one category may be selected at a time.

Add representatives from other groups

Figure 9-8 Selecting reps from other groups

Only one group may be selected at a time.

Use this selection to create a new group based on membership from a previous group or to merge reps from another group into this new group. No reps are removed from the source groups – just copied.

Add individual representatives

Figure 9-9 Adding individual representatives

More than one rep may be selected by pressing Ctrl-click on each desired rep. Then click the >> arrow.

Add specific reps by member name

Figure 9-10 Adding reps from specific members

Maintaining the group/mailing list

Contact information (i.e. email addresses, phone numbers, addresses etc.) are updated automatically when changes are made in the Members module. Group membership must be maintained through manual selection or removal of names.

Adding new member names to the groups could be done at any time, however, two detailed concepts are provided below that may assist in providing a consistent procedure at your chamber. The two examples are adding new members to the mailing list either periodically or immediately.

Removing representatives from mailing lists or groups may be done at any time manually or may be completed during the process of changing a member status to Dropped/Inactive.

Add New Members to a Mailing List Periodically

Group membership must be maintained through manual selection or removal of names. To keep your initial mailing list up-to-date, you might consider running a monthly report to add new members to your mailing list.

1. Click Membership Report – Multiple Members in the Reports module.

FIGURE 9-11 Membership Reports

2. Click Member Join Report.

FIGURE 9-12 Member join report

3. Type the desired date range in the Join Date fields.

4. Click View/Print Summary Listing.

FIGURE 9-13 Selecting report criteria

5. View or print the desired list of new members and then click Close.

6. With this list in hand, click Groups in the left-hand navigation bar.

7. Click the Home tab.

8. Click the Group Name of the mailing list to be modified.

FIGURE 9-14 Selecting the group

9. Click the Roster tab.

10. Click add representatives by member in the Add Group Members area.

11. Locate the desired member in the Choose Members list and click to select.

12. Click the >> arrow to display the record on the Selected Members list.

13. Click Continue.

FIGURE 9-15 Selecting a record

14. All reps from the selected member will be added to the mailing list. If you desire to remove any of these reps from the list, complete steps #15-17 below.

15. Click the column title Company Name to sort by company name.)

16. If desired, display all records by selecting All from the Display __ results per page. Find this selection in the information at the top of the roster.

FIGURE 9-16 Information at the top of the roster – All records displayed in order by business name

17. Scroll through your mailing list to find any that should be removed from those that were added. If a rep does not belong on the mailing list, click to select the check box at the end of the row of the desired rep to be removed.

18. Click Remove Selected Contacts at the bottom of the list. Note: Multiple reps may be removed at one time by selecting as many check boxes as desired and then click remove.

FIGURE 9-17 Remove desired reps

Add new members to a mailing list immediately

Group membership must be maintained through manual selection or removal of names. To keep your initial mailing list up-to-date, you might consider adding new members to the appropriate mailing lists immediately after creating the new member record. Following is one example of how this might happen.

1. Immediately after a new member has been added to the ChamberMaster database and with the new member record selected in the Members module, click the Reps tab.

2. Ensure that all desired reps for this new member have been added. If not, add reps at this time by clicking Add a New Rep.

3. Click the name of one of the reps in the List of Representatives area.

4. Scroll to the Group Participation area at the bottom of the screen and click Join a Group.

Figure 9-18 Group Participation area

5. Click the desired group to join.

6. Click the double right arrow to move the desired group to the Selected Groups list box.

7. Click Continue.

Figure 9-19 Join a group

8. If this representative should belong to more groups, complete steps 4-7 again until they belong to all desired groups.

9. If other representatives should belong to groups as well, perform steps 3-7 above and select the next desired representative.

Remove representatives from a group manually

Representatives are removed from groups manually or during the process of changing a member status to Dropped/Inactive.

1.	Click Groups in the left-hand navigation bar.

2.	Click the Home tab.

3.	Click the Group Name of the mailing list to be modified.

Figure 9-20 Select the desired group

4.	Click the Roster tab.

5.	Click to select the check box at the end of the row of the desired rep to be removed.

Finding a rep may be done multiple ways. If the business name is known, sort the roster by Business Name as shown in Figure 9-25.

If the individual rep name is known, sort the roster by Rep Last Name or use the magnifying glass to search for rep by last name which displays when displaying a limited number of records on the page.

Figure 9-21 Remove a rep

6.

Click

Remove representatives from a group when dropping or suspending a member

The selection to change a member status is found on the General tab of the member’s record in the Members module. Select Dropped/Inactive when clicking the Membership Status arrow in the Additional Information area.

1. When changing the status of a member to Dropped/Inactive, the Member Drop Options screen will appear. In addition to the member status, each rep has a status of either Active or Inactive which is displayed for each rep on the Reps tab.

Figure 9-22 Member Drop Options

2.Complete the Member Drop Options screen as desired. Note the Representatives area selections as detailed on Figure 9-23 below.

Rep Status

• Active status is appropriate for representatives of members that are currently active.

• Inactive status is appropriate for a rep who is no longer acting as a representative for the member. The rep’s information and history will be retained but there is a separate distinction given to them in reports and lists.

• Deleting a rep should be limited to a rep that was created by mistake. History and all reference to this rep would be removed.

Group Status

• Disabled reps within a group are not visible in the group list on a regular basis and will not be included when selecting to contact these group members. Disabling a rep also preserves the history of their participation in this group.

• Deleting a rep from a group, removes all record of their participation in the group.

Figure 9-23 Representative options

Note: Both active and inactive reps may be set as disabled in a group. Inactive reps, that are not disabled, are still included in emails sent to the group

Note: Representatives that have a status of inactive will NOT automatically be returned to active status if a member is reinstated. Individual reps must be returned to active status on the Reps tab.

3. Click Save & Exit.

Disable a rep within a group

At times it may be necessary to disable a rep within a group. These members are not visible on a regular basis and will not be included if you select to contact these group members. View them at anytime by clicking Show Disabled group members. The history of their participation in this group may be preserved this way.

1. Click Groups in the left-hand menu.
2. Click the Roster tab of the desired group
3. Click to select the member or members that should be disabled.
4. Click Disable Selected members.

Note: You can also view their group participation on the Reps tab of the member record. Make changes to the reps status from the Reps tab by clicking the Group name.

Note: Both active and inactive reps may be set as disabled. Inactive reps, that are not disabled, are still included in emails sent to the group.

Allow members to join group

Members may choose to join or remove themselves from groups that have been designated by Chamber staff. When a member logs into the Member Information Center, they are able to select the desired groups.

Figure 9-24 Member is able to select to belong to group

Designate Group as Member self-select

1.	Click Groups in the left-hand menu.

2.	Select the title of the desired Group.

3.	Click the General tab.

4.	Click the checkbox “Allow members to join/leave this group through their Member Information Center login.”

5.	Click Save Changes.

Figure 9-25 Allowing members to join/leave this group

 

Steps for Member to Join/Leave Group

1.	Member accesses [[1]] and logs in to the Member Information Center.

2.	Click Employees/Reps in the Member Info section of the left-hand menu.

3.	Click to select the checkbox in front of the desire group to join (or click to deselect the desired group to leave).

Figure 9-26 Member selects desired groups

Allow the public to join

Any group can be set so that visitors to your website could add themselves to your group. Select each group as shown below, then make sure you’ve got the appropriate website link added to your public website as shown here: http://aname.yourdomain.com/communication

• Allows the public (consumers, non-members) and members to easily sign up for groups.
• It’s a public module, like the business directory, event calendar, etc.

• Select the “Allow consumers to join/leave this group …“ checkbox on the desired group(s)
• Have your web designer add the /communication module link to your website
• Visitors will fill out the contact info and select desired group(s). After replying to a simple confirmation email, the visitor will be added to your group.
• If the email used on the form matches an existing representative then the group membership is tied to a particular representative, and thus a membership.
• If the email doesn’t belong to a rep then it is created as a Community Member.
• Recipients may unsubscribe via the unsubscribe link in the emails or submit another form with no groups selected.

Other suggestions for creating groups

Many tasks in ChamberMaster are made simple when groups are defined. For instance, communication may easily be targeted to a pre-defined group and the database may be queried for a particular group. The suggestions below may trigger some of your own ideas on how to create and use groups. Remember, these are simply some ideas - - use your own creativity in naming and organizing potential groups.

As you create groups, a Group Type designation will help to keep them organized. Create your own group types by selecting Define Group Types in the Setup module You may edit group types when on the General tab of any group by clicking Type: (see Figure 9-24 in the “Mailing list groups” below)

Mailing list groups

Figure 9-24 General tab when in the tabbed view

Advisory groups

Figure 9-25 Advisory groups

Committee groups

Figure 9-26 Committee groups

Community groups

Figure 9-27 Community groups

Program groups

Figure 9-28 Program groups

New member groups

Figure 9-29 New member groups

eReferral

The eReferral is designed to accomplish two tasks with a single entry - getting desired member information to a consumer while letting the member know that they’ve been referred.

Pertinent consumer information is entered and then the eReferral tool is used to generate an email message or printout that includes the selected member(s) contact information in referral format.

You can then choose to pass along the consumer's information to the members you referred. Through a separate optional email message, your member(s) are informed that their business information was passed on to an interested consumer. In turn the consumer's information is provided to your members so they can, if they so choose, provide additional outreach to that consumer.

Why use eReferrals?

eReferrals allow you to show give your members' information to consumers when they ask for it. At the same time you can choose to send that consumer's information to your members giving them a lead.
Every eReferral is recorded allowing you to show your members the value that you are giving them. Each referral means you are pointing customers to their business.
Take for example, a consumer that calls and asks for a list of restaurants in your area. You enter their contact information in the eReferral screen. After selecting the Restaurant category members as your designated recipients, you click one button to email the detailed restaurant list with addresses, phone numbers, and web site address to the consumer. Then you click one additional button to send an email to the restaurant members with a message indicating that they have been referred. All these steps are handled under one screen.

If you don't want to send an email to your members that's no problem. You can still record that you referred a member to them so they can see or be shown the added benefit of their membership with your association.

Send and Record an eReferral

1. Click the Add button at the top of your database.
2. Choose eReferral

Details

1. Click the Add button at the top of your database.
2. Choose eReferral
3. Enter in as much or as little Potential Customer information as desired.
4. Select the members you wish to refer.

   You can select members by name or category. You can also select specific representatives by name or by group.

   

   Add Referral Recipients

   When selecting members by name or category you can expand the advanced filter section and filter by boolean type (checkbox) member custom fields.

   

   eReferral Advanced Filter Options

5. Check off and remove any records you wish to exclude by clicking Remove Selected Recipients
6. Click Preview final referral recipients list with options to print/email potential customer

   

   View, Print or Email the referral information

7. Review the information and at the bottom you can print or email this list to the potential customer.
8. In the Referral Recipient Options you can select the desired Lead Source (see eReferral Settings below to set up lead sources)
9. Check or uncheck Send email to Referral Recipients

   Checked will send an email using the options below to those being referred and will record it in the member's communication history.

   Unchecked will just record the eReferral in the member's communication history and will not send an email to your members.

10. Adjust your Email From, Include Carbon Copy, Subject Line and modify your Message with details about the potential customer if desired.
11. Click Send and Record Referral or Record Referral

Send an eReferral

REDIRECT EReferrals

1. Click to add an eReferral using the desired selection found within the Members (Add eReferral), Events (Add eReferral), Communication (Send an eReferral), or Info Request (Add an eReferral) modules.

2. Edit the Contact Information area using the consumer information. See Figure 11-1 below.

3. Edit the Email Options area with desired email subject line, return email address, and text that the member will receive. Note: to change the default selections, click setup options.

4. Use the Add Recipients box to include additional members in the referral.

5. Click Detailed Recipient List.

Figure 11-1 eReferral window

Note: To change the default consumer email subject line and text, select setup options on the previous screen.

6. On the next screen, click Print List and then click Print. (see Figure 11-2) or Click Email List and then click Send Email. Note: When selecting Email List, the displayed email address is from the Contact Information area on the previous screen.

Figure 11-2 Detailed Recipient List

Note: This eReferral is recorded by default in the member’s communication history. To change this default, under eReferral Settings/Options in the Setup module click to designate if eReferrals should log automatically.

7. Click Close Window.

8. Click Send Referral to send the referral email to the selected recipients (the members). (See figure 11-1).

Change Default eReferral Settings

1. Click Setup on the main left menu.
2. In the Information Request section click eReferral Settings/Options
3. Specify the default eMail From:
4. Customize the default subject and message for the email being sent to your members.
5. Customize the default subject and message for the email being sent to the consumer.
6. If you are using multiple lead sources edit your list of lead sources.

   The first item in the list will be the default lead source.

   Lead source list can be blank. This is an optional field.

7. Click Save and Exit

Attaching Files to an Email

Because there can be various issues when attaching an actual file to an email (including the email itself ending up in the Spam or Junk folder of the receiver), it's Best Practice to actually link to a file rather than attach it. You can upload the file to your cloud drive and the system will generate a link to the file you can include in the email.

• Storing files that can be attached to an email or accessed through a URL

Storing Documents - Cloud Drive

Store your documents in the Cloud Drive, a selection in the left-hand menu of your software, to access them anytime from any computer that has a connection to the internet and access to the database. 10 GB of storage space is available to you.

Upload files to My Documents for your personal use or into Shared Documents to make them available for your entire staff.

• Storing a document for personal use later
• Storing a document to share with other staff
• Storing documents on a member’s record for archiving purposes
• Storing files for members to access
• Storing images that are used in emails or wherever the editor is used

Locate these two tabs by clicking Cloud Drive in the left-hand menu or by selecting the desired folder from the Common Tasks tab in the Dashboard module.

Figure: Document storage on the Cloud Drive

Storing a personal document for use later

1.	Click Cloud Drive in the left-hand menu.

2.	Click My Documents.

Figure 11-2b Sample Cloud Drive window

3.	(Optional) Click New folder to create a folder to organize your files or double-click on the desired folder.

4.	Click Browse.

5.	Locate the desired file to upload and click Open.

6.	Click Upload.

7.	The selected file will be uploaded into your document storage.

8.	Access this document anytime by clicking My Documents in the Cloud Drive or on the Common Tasks tab in the Dashboard.

Note: only available for those with Plus edition or greater.

Storing a document to share with other staff

1.	Click Cloud Drive in the left-hand menu.

2.	Click Shared Documents.

Figure 11-2c Sample Cloud Drive window

3.	(Optional) Click New folder to create a folder to organize your files or double-click on the desired folder.

4.	Click Browse.

5.	Locate the desired file to upload and click Open.

6.	Click Upload.

7.	The selected file will be uploaded into your document storage.

8.	Other staff members may now access this document by clicking Shared Documents in the Cloud Drive or on the Common Tasks tab in the Dashboard.

Note: a new non-removable Members Only folder appears under the CloudDrive Shared folders area. This folder was placed there by our programmers in preparation for a future release that will provide a location for staff to place member-only files and folders. Placing files in this folder will not hurt but will not do anything for you or your members at this time. Stay tuned!

Storing files for members to access

1. Click Cloud Drive in the left-hand menu.

2. Click Shared Documents.

3. (Optional) Click New folder to create a folder to organize your files or double-click on the desired folder.

4. Click Browse.

5. Locate the desired file to upload and click Open.

6. Click Upload.

7. The selected file will be uploaded into your document storage.

8. Other staff members may now access this document by clicking Shared Documents in the Cloud Drive or on the Common Tasks tab in the Dashboard.

Note: Only available for those with Plus edition or greater.

Storing files that can be attached to an email or accessed through a URL

Any files uploaded to the Email Attachments area in the Cloud Drive will be available to be attached to an email when sending using the software’s editor. These files are also available as public links without being sent in an email when the link is made known to the end user.

Note: The Cloud Drive tabs are only available for those with Plus edition or greater but the Email Attachments are accessible under Dashboard-Common Tasks.

1. Click Cloud Drive in the left-hand menu.

2. Click the Email Attachments tab.

3. Click Browse.

4. Locate the desired file to upload and click Open.

5. Click Upload.

6. The selected file will be uploaded into your document storage for use as attachments to emails or as a public URL.

Attaching the Document to an Email or Provide URL Access

1. Access the email editor.

2. Click the paper clip icon .

3. Click Browse and find your uploaded file.

4. Click Select.

5. Click OK to embed your file as a link or copy the Attachment File URL and give that URL to users that need to access this file.

Storing images that are used in emails or other locations the editor is used

Any files uploaded to the Email Images area in the Cloud Drive will be available to embed as an image in the body of an email when sending using the software’s editor.

Note: The Cloud Drive tabs are only available for those with Plus edition or greater but the Email Images are accessible under Dashboard-

Common Tasks

1. Click Cloud Drive in the left-hand menu.

2. Click the Email Images tab.

3. Click Browse.

4. Locate the desired file to upload and click Open.

5. Click Upload.

6. The selected file will be uploaded into your document storage for use as a graphic to embed in an email or other locations the editor is available.

Embedding the Image in an Email

1. Access the email editor.

2. Click the Image icon

3. Click Browse and find your uploaded file.

4. Click Select.

5. Click OK to embed your image in the body of the email.

Reasons emails don’t get to members

Trying to figure out why an email didn’t get to one (or a bunch!) of your members is usually confusing and frustrating. If you have ever asked one of the questions below… read on. While there are many reasons why email messages don’t make it to your members, there are several reasons that seem most common to our customers. The top three are listed below.

• "Why do some members say they don’t receive email messages that I send through ChamberMaster/GrowthZone?"
• "Why do some messages "bounce" when I know the email address is valid?"
• "Why can some members receive messages from me when I send through Outlook but not when I send out of ChamberMaster/GrowthZone?"
• "What can I do to make sure my members get the email messages I am sending through ChamberMaster/GrowthZone?"

Your chamber’s Sender Policy Framework (SPF) Record may be incomplete or missing

Because of Spam, many ISP's (Internet Service Providers - i.e. Charter, RoadRunner, AOL, Yahoo, etc…) have begun performing a type of SPAM check called a reverse domain lookup (also called an "SPF lookup") to verify that the sending IP address of a mail server is authorized to send email from your domain. In plain language – the member’s email provider is asking, "Is this email message coming from an authorized sender?" If the answer is "no" they will either reject it or filter it to your member’s SPAM folder.

• This is important for ChamberMaster & GrowthZone users because when you send email to your members from within the software we list your email address as the sender but route the message through our bulk email servers. These servers are specifically designed to help ensure the highest possible email delivery rate, but if a member’s email provider performs an SPF lookup and your chamber’s record does not list the ChamberMaster & GrowthZone email server as an approved sender, the message will most likely not get to the member.

Solution: Setup the SPF Record

The good news is that there is a quick and easy fix for this – have the company who manages your Domain Name Servers (usually your web hosting company) add ChamberMaster's email servers to your SPF Record. Free test to see if your SPF records are setup! You can easily check to see if your domain is already setup by following these 4 steps

1. Click on this link - http://mxtoolbox.com/spf.aspx?command=spf
2. Type the domain of your email address in the box (the part after the "@") and click "SPF Record Lookup"
3. Compare the SPF record on file with the following example:

   If your SPF record is setup one of the records should look like this:

   

4. If your SPF record is missing or does not contain the spf.memberzone.com listing, contact your "web or IT person" and have them update the record to include the mail servers. They need to add to your existing SPF record include:spf.memberzone.com

   • An example of a complete SPF record with the memberzone spf included would look like: v=spf1 mx include:spf.memberzone.com mx:yourdomain.com ~all
   • If you're using office 365 for email an example SPF record would look like: v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com include:spf.memberzone.com ~all

Issues with the recipient’s mailbox

Your member’s email message box may be full, the email address may be incorrect, or it may not even exist any more.

Solution: Contact the recipient

Contact the specific recipient to verify the email address or let them know that their email doesn’t seem to be working properly – they may not be aware of it and you could be the "hero" who helped them not miss that important business deal because their inbox was full!

Your domain may be "blacklisted"

To fight spam, many ISPs limit the number of emails coming from one sender in a given time period. If you exceed this limit your domain may be "blacklisted" and you will have a difficult time getting messages through to anybody.

Solution: Contact the organization that has you blacklisted

Contact any ISP’s which have "blacklisted" your domain and request that they add you to their list of safe senders or "white list". To see if your domain is "Blacklisted", Use the tool at the link below to determine if the domain you use for email is blacklisted by any of the major email servers. You may see some of them to return a "timed out message" – This response is normal. http://mxtoolbox.com/blacklists.aspx

Final thought:

Unfortunately, even if you have everything setup properly, not every email you send will get through to every member. That’s why we recommend using all the tools at your disposal to get important information to your members – email messages, website updates & banner ads, RSS feeds, "snail mail", phone calls and personal visits are all part of an effective communication plan to make sure that your members know what is happening at the chamber. The good news is that many of those tools are already available to you as ChamberMaster/GrowthZone users!

Ideas for Developing Communication Content

When sending communication from ChamberMaster, you will find various ways to create the content of the communication – whether email or printed letter.

Spontaneous, individual and small group emails are often created “on-the-fly” by creating the message right at that moment in the ChamberMaster editor screen.

Other communication may take more preparation or commonly be created with software other than ChamberMaster. Sometimes these pieces of communication have already been prepared in other software using a template or even created by an outside company and then provided to you by the publisher. Examples of this communication may include monthly newsletters, weekly information email blasts or other regular communication pieces.

In many of these cases, the development of the communication piece may be done outside of the ChamberMaster editor screen and then copied into the editor or included as a link or graphic within the email.

If you are comfortable with the HTML programming language, you may wish to create your own HTML code in the ChamberMaster editor. Copying and pasting HTML code is also an option. Click the Source icon in the ChamberMaster editor screen before pasting HTML code or to view and modify existing code.

Common methods of inclusion will be shown below. Mix and match these methods as desired to accomplish regular communication to your members.

Create and format your own output in the ChamberMaster editor

Copy and paste from Word

Insert link to PDF file (or other file type)

Save Microsoft Publisher files as a graphic file and insert into editor

Save PDF file as a graphic file and insert into editor

Copy and paste output from another HTML program (like Constant Contact)

Many chambers desire to send a regular email indicating the events for the week. Step-by-step instructions for generating this email are included for reference at the end of this document.

Generate and email a list of events

Some chambers are interested in creating their own e-newsletter using templates that are professionally provided by our partner, Constant Contact. Find more information on this option by clicking Newsletters/Email Campaigns in the Reports module or by visiting http://www.constantcontact.com/. ChamberMaster provides an export or automatic synchronization to Constant Contact for your convenience.

Create and format your own output in the ChamberMaster/GrowthZone editor

Access the editor and type your own communication using the features available within the ChamberMaster editor.

Copy and paste from Microsoft Word

If your communication content is already created in Microsoft Word, you may be able to copy and paste the content directly into the ChamberMaster editor screen. Content that works well include character formatting styles of bold, underline, and font changes.

Content that does not copy well include columns, graphics, and tables. Documents with these items should either be recreated directly in ChamberMaster by editing the HTML source code by clicking the Source icon or included as a link. (see “Insert link to PDF file”).

Why do columns, graphics, and tables not copy well from Microsoft Word into ChamberMaster? Most internet based applications such as ChamberMaster base their functions on a programming language called HTML. Transferring data directly from programs that are not programmed in HTML may not always be successful. If you know the HTML language, editing is allowed by clicking the Source icon in the ChamberMaster editor window.

1.	In Microsoft Word, open the desired content to be copied.

2.	In another window, open the ChamberMaster editor screen where you desire to copy the content.

Figure 12-1 – Open Microsoft Word and ChamberMaster windows

3.	In Microsoft Word, highlight the desired copy and press Ctrl-C (to copy the highlighted text.)

You may click also click Copy from the Edit menu instead of pressing Ctrl-C

 

Figure 12-2 – Highlighted Microsoft Word content

4.	In the ChamberMaster window, click where you desire the content to appear.

5.	Click the Paste from Word icon () in the menu bar.

Copying and pasting HTML code is also an option. Click the Source icon in the ChamberMaster editor screen before pasting HTML code or to view and modify existing code.

Since many users are familiar with pressing Ctrl-v to copy, you may still access the Paste from Word dialog box using this keystroke. However, you may be asked to allow access to the clipboard. Click Allow.

Then you may be asked if you wish to clean it before pasting? Click OK.

Then you will be brought to the Paste from Word dialog box and may continue with the steps starting with #6.

Figure 12-3 – Paste from Word icon highlighted

6.	Click inside the Paste from Word dialog box.

7.	Press Ctrl-v to paste your text.

8.	Clear the checkboxes from Ignore Font Face definitions and Remove Style definitions in order to carry the fonts and styles from Microsoft Word into ChamberMaster.

Figure 12-4 – Paste from Word dialog box

9.

Click OK.

Figure 12-5 – Click OK

10.	Your formatted text will appear in the editor window. Complete the email as desired.

Figure 12-6 – Completed email

Insert link to PDF file (or other file type)

Insert link to PDF file (or other file type) Many pieces of communication are already prepared in other software using a template or even created by an outside company and then provided to you by the publisher. Examples of this communication may include monthly newsletters, weekly information email blasts or other regular communication pieces.

In many cases, a PDF version of the output may be provided to you by the third party or may be easily created by you. This type of file may be included as a link within your email and opened by the recipient retaining all formatting features. In fact, the PDF version may provide advantages over an embedded version (i.e. the copy and paste method) that may be appealing.

Links may be included to access a Microsoft Word document, Excel spreadsheet, or any type of file that would traditionally be sent as an attachment. However, keep in mind that the recipient of the email must be able to open the file on their end. If they do not have the program themselves or have a different version of your software, they may not be able to view the file you have referenced within the communication. Sending a PDF version of the file eliminates that issue of compatibility.

PDF (Portable Document Format) is a universal file format developed by Adobe® that preserves all the fonts, formatting, graphics, and color of any source document, regardless of the application and platform used to create it. You will find PDF a very common format which is widely used on the internet due to its platform independence.

Some cited benefits of including a link to a PDF version are that 1) the email size is kept small since the PDF file is not calculated as part of the email total and 2) the recipient may save and print the PDF separately from the traditional email printout creating nicer looking output on the recipients end.

To view PDF files you need Adobe Acrobat Reader which is downloaded free from here and is commonly loaded on most computers that access the Internet.

Many software programs, both for purchase and those at no charge, are available to create PDF versions from output of your most common applications. Newsletters or brochures created in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher or other popular applications may all be saved in a PDF version using these PDF creation programs.

Once your output is in the PDF format or you have the desired attachment prepared, follow the steps below to include the document as a link within your email.

1. Open the ChamberMaster editor and begin to create the desired communication piece.

2. Click where you desire to insert the link to your document.

3. Click Add/Remove Attachments ()

FIGURE 12-7 – ChamberMaster editor ready to add attachment link

4. Click Upload your attachment file to the ChamberMaster server and include a link to that file in your email. See Figure 12-8 below.

FIGURE 12-8 Add Email Attachments

5. Click Continue.

6. Type the desired text in the Text for Attachment Link field. Then click Browse Server. See Figure 12-9 below.

FIGURE 12-9 – Add File Attachments

7. Browse to the desired file and click it to select. See Figure 12-10 below. Or you may upload a new file to the ChamberMaster server by clicking Browse, browsing to the desired file, click to select, click Open, and then click Upload. Then you may click the desired file to select it.

FIGURE 12-10 Browse to desired file

8. Click OK. See Figure 12-11 below.

FIGURE 12-11 The last step

9. The link will automatically be inserted in your document.

FIGURE 12-12 – Completed communication piece

Save Microsoft Publisher files as a graphic file and insert into editor

Save Microsoft Publisher files as a graphic file and insert into editor If you’d like to display the content of a Microsoft Publisher file in the body of your email instead of using a link to a copy of it, there is a way to do that might be helpful to know.

Inserting a Publisher doc into an Email

In general the steps will be 1) save your PUB file as a GIF file in your Microsoft Publisher program and then 2) insert this GIF file using the Insert/Edit Image selection. 1. Open your Microsoft Publisher file. 2. Select File, Save As. 3. Change the file type to GIF and click Save. If your publisher document contains multiple pages, you will need to save each page as a separate GIF file. Make sure you have selected one-sided printing by selecting that in the newsletter options. Then as you view each page, click File, Save As and select GIF. 4. Then in ChamberMaster, position your cursor where the Publisher file should be displayed. (Place a couple of blank lines at the top of the document in case you want to add text at the top later on.) 5. Click Insert/Edit Image. 6. Browse Server. 7. Click Browse. 8. Find the file and click Upload. 9. If you had a multiple page publisher document, you would need to upload each GIF in this same manner. 10. After selecting this image, it will be displayed in the body of your email. Hint: If adding text below this image, click the image once to select it, then press the right arrow once to move past the image, then press Enter. This will allow you to begin typing new text below the image instead of accidentally deleting the image by typing your new text. Since this image may not be as clear as the original, you may also want to include a link to a PDF version of this attachment. Sending a test email to yourself is also recommended. Watch a short video of these instructions: http://www.chambermaster.com/directory/include/help/Videos/Comm/pubembed/pubembed.html

Copy and paste output from another HTML program (like Constant Contact)

Being an HTML editor, ChamberMaster’s editor allows copy and paste of HTML content. Therefore it is possible to produce your communication piece in other programs, like Constant Contact, and simply copy and paste the final version into the ChamberMaster editor. Care should always be taken that the content is coming over properly but we have found it to be quite successful. Please send yourself a copy of the email first to verify that the content and appropriate links are maintained. Here is an example using Constant Contact.

1. Create the desired content in Constant Contact.

In Constant Contact, click Preview.

When the preview window displays, highlight the final version that displays on the screen.

Right-click and select Copy.

Open a ChamberMaster editor screen with the desired recipients selected.

Right-click and select Paste.

The content will display in the ChamberMaster editor. Some content may not appear to be displaying properly while in the editor but will display correctly when received in the editor. Please send a sample copy to yourself to test it out first.

No guarantees or support is available for this method from ChamberMaster but it has worked successfully for a number of chambers.

Using and Integrating Constant Contact

The ChamberMaster/GrowthZone member management system allows you to connect to your Constant Contact account to automate updates to your Constant Contact lists based on updates made in the database. Once configured representatives that have been added to the database or specific groups will automatically be added to Constant Contact. Any reps that are disabled within in a group will be removed from their respective lists.

Note: Any Representatives that are deleted from the database or removed from a group will still remain in Constant Contact. These contacts would need to be manually removed from Constant Contact in these circumstances. For best results avoid deleting or removing representatives within your database and instead simply disable them within the group.

Constant Contact has a special pricing program for Chambers of Commerce see the details here.

Enable Constant Contact Synchronization

You must have an active account with Constant Contact to setup and use the synchronization tool.

1. Login to your database with administrator privileges.
2. Click Setup in the left-hand menu.
3. Click General Options and Settings in the Association Information (or Chamber Information) area.
4. Select ConstantContact from the Newsletter Solution drop-down box.
5. In the Add-On Manager area click the blue link Please click here to authorize the Constant Contact connection.
6. Follow the prompts to authorize the database with your Constant Contact account.
7. Choose which items you would like to have automatically synchronize each night. Automatically synchronize membership types daily, Automatically synchronize groups daily, and/or Automatically sync all active reps for active and courtesy members to allow ChamberMaster to pass all ChamberMaster Membership Types, active reps and/or Group updates and additions nightly to your Constant Contact account. To select only specific groups, click the Synch tab in the Groups module.

   If you’d rather select only certain groups to be synched, then you’ll need to deselect all others on the Synch tab in the Groups module. See Selecting Which Groups to Synchronize below for more info.

8. Click Save.

Going forward, make any additions to these list or changes to contact information in your software. Each night a synch takes place and any added reps will be added. Any reps disabled will be removed. If a rep is deleted from the database they will not be removed. For best results, manage all additions and updates in ChamberMaster / GrowthZone only and don't delete any records.

Note: Reps that have unsubscribed from your database mailing list will not be included in the synch to Constant Contact.

Selecting Which Groups to Synchronize

Once the Constant Contact synchronization is setup you will be able to configure which groups are set to be synchronized each night.

Note: The groups option must be checked off in step #7 above for any groups to synchronize.

View & Remove Groups from the daily synchronization

1. Select the Groups module.
2. At the top, select the Synch tab.

   All Groups currently set to synchronize will be displayed in a list when you first open this tab.

3. Uncheck any that you wish to stop Synchronizing and then click Save

Set a group to start synchronizing each day

Option 1 - From the general tab

1. Select the Groups module.
2. At the top select the Home tab.
3. Click on the group name that you'd like to change the setting for.
4. Check the box to "Synch this group with Constant Contact."

   

   Additional Options for Groups

5. Click Save Changes

Option 2 - From the Synch tab

1. Select the Groups module.
2. At the top, select the Synch tab.
3. Uncheck Display groups set to synch only.
4. Check off the groups you wish to synchronize.
5. Click Save

Synchronize a Group Now

1. Select the Groups module.
2. At the top select the Synch tab.
3. Next to each group that has the synch enabled you can click the Synch Now button.

   This will initiate a synch process that will take up to 15 minutes to complete on Constant Contact's end. You can view the Activity report on Constant Contact to see the status of the import.

Manually Export Contacts to Constant Contact

You can manually create a contact list and export it to Constant Contact as well. See Manually Export your Contacts for Constant Contact for details.

Constant Contact FAQ

Why are there fewer contacts in my Constant Contact list than what is showing in my database?

A) When the data is pushed over to Constant Contact any emails that are invalid are automatically excluded. Any emails that are unsubscribed within Constant Contact would also be excluded from the final list in Constant Contact.

When does the synch happen each day?

A) The synch happens between 11pm and 4am Central Standard Time daily.

What happens when I change a representatives email in ChamberMaster/GrowthZone?

A) The representative will be added to anything their previous email was attached to but their previous email will not be removed. If you want their previous email removed you would need to do that directly within Constant Contact.

Manually Export Your Contacts for Constant Contact

If automatic synchronization is not being used, or if manual exporting/updating is desired, use the steps here to export ChamberMaster/GrowthZone contacts so that they may be directly imported by Constant Contact.

1. Click Communication in the left-hand menu.
2. Click Newsletters / Email Campaigns.
3. Click the desired “Add” selection to mark names to be exported.

   

   Selecting information to be exported

4. A summary of your selections will appear in the blue box at the bottom of the screen. Click view mailing list to see your results.

   

   Summary of selections

5. Remove any recipients that are not desired by clicking the checkbox in front of their name. Then click Remove Selected Items.

   

   Removing un-desired recipients

6. Click Continue.
7. Repeat steps 3-6 to add any more desired recipients.
8. Click Create Mailing List when all names have been selected.
9. The Database will allow you to download and save these names in a file that may be imported into Constant Contact. Follow instructions on the screen to save the file with your desired name and location. Remember this name and location for importing into Constant Contact.

Sample concept of using manual export from your database into Constant Contact

There are multiple ways of using your database and Constant Contact to maintain and keep contact information current. Below is one method that may work for you. Evaluate your own needs and contact Constant Contact for details on using their software.

1. Create a mailing list in Constant Contact that will contain the names of contacts that are NOT already in ChamberMaster. This will also contain the names of those that “Join” your mailing list using the Join selection provided by Constant Contact (used when the Subscribe button is selected within the emails). Add any desired contacts to this list now (excluding ChamberMaster contacts) and update whenever desired. Example mailing list title: Standard Mailing List
2. Create another mailing list in Constant Contact that will contain the imported ChamberMaster contacts. Do not add any names to this list yet – you will be importing names into this list. Example mailing list title: ChamberMaster Contacts List
3. Each time you are ready to perform a mailing, follow instructions above to export your entire set of contacts from ChamberMaster.
4. In Constant Contact remove all contacts from the current “ChamberMaster Contacts List”. Then import the new ChamberMaster export into this list.
5. When sending the email, select both the “Standard Mailing List” and the “ChamberMaster Contacts List” as recipients of the email.

Notes

• Make sure to keep the email addresses for your contacts up-to-date in ChamberMaster which will follow-through into Constant Contact and end up in the “ChamberMaster Contacts List”.
• Updates to those contacts not in ChamberMaster may be done in Constant Contact on the “Standard Mailing List”.
• Clearing the “ChamberMaster Contacts List:” in Constant Contact each time will not eliminate the Opt Out list. Those that have opted out of your mailings (Do Not Mail) will be retained. Constant Contact keeps a list of these addresses internally.
• If a ChamberMaster contact manually tells you they would like to opt out of your mailings, you need to select the Do Not Mail selection in Constant Contact. Then when they are imported from ChamberMaster, Constant Contact will not allow the import since they are listed as Do Not Mail.
• If a ChamberMaster contact manually tells you they need their email address updated, you would need to change it in ChamberMaster so that it will be imported correctly next time.
• If a ChamberMaster contact manually tells you they need a new address added to the mailing list, either add their email address as a New Rep in ChamberMaster or add them as a contact in Constant Contact in the “Standard Mailing List”.

Disadvantages

• The Constant Contact Email History and Bounce History may not be retained since the ChamberMaster Contacts List will be cleared each time. Constant Contact only keeps history for 90 days anyway.
• When importing the contacts from ChamberMaster, all of the Constant Contact fields are updated with the information from ChamberMaster. If custom fields or other contact information fields have manually been updated in Constant Contact, they would be overwritten by the information coming from ChamberMaster each time. If these additional fields are not being used by you in Constant Contact, then this will not affect you.

Using and Integrating MailChimp

Once synchronization to MailChimp is setup, then each night an automatic sync from your database into your MailChimp account will take place which will copy contact information from your database into the designated MailChimp list. If you’ve done updates to your mailing list in the database and you’d like to sync during the day, there is a “Sync now” choice available to do at any time. MailChimp synchronization is available to those with Plus edition or greater.

How ChamberMaster and GrowthZone sync with MailChimp

See an overview of how the MailChimp Synchronization works

What is synchronized?

• All active reps of active, courtesy or prospective members.
• Groups that have been marked to Sync under the groups module.

Where does the contact information go in MailChimp

The contact info is pulled into groups that are created and updated in MailChimp nightly:

• AUTO:Status group – contains reps by Membership Status
• AUTO:MembershipType group – contains reps by your Membership Type
• A group for each of your Group Types with a sub group created for each of your groups

The maximum number of groups per Group Type that may be synchronized is 60. Note: Groups synchronization will include inactive reps in the synch as long as they are marked as active within the group.

How to setup Mail Chimp synchronization

1. Click Communication in the left-hand menu.
2. Click MailChimp Setup.
3. Click Click to Enable MailChimp.
4. Enter your MailChimp login and password.
5. Click Log In.
6. The message will say that you are connected.
7. Click the drop-down arrow and select the list you already have in MailChimp where you would like the contact information to be imported.
8. Click Sync Now to immediately copy your contacts to MailChimp.

   Tip: Note this sync will happen every night but you can manually sync any time you’d like.

9. All the contact information will be updated in MailChimp.

   Note: The System Event Log will display the synchronization transactions. Errors typically indicate invalid email addresses.

   Unsubscribers from the MailChimp system will remain subscribed in your database but MailChimp will prevent them from being imported at the next synchronization

How to email the contact from MailChimp

1. Click Campaigns in the left-hand menu.
2. Click Create Campaign.
3. Choose a type of campaign to send by clicking Select. (Example: Select “Regular ol’ Campaign”)
4. Select which list to be sent and click Next.
5. Click Send to a new segment.
6. Select the drop-down arrow in the Subscribers match… section.
7. Select the Group (email list) that you’d like

   The Groups highlighted in yellow are the membership status and membership type groups. The purple groups show a sample of what your imported group types will look like.

8. Select any desired status’, types or other subsets within the groups.
9. Click Next.
10. Continue following on-screen steps to send the email.

Sample Automatic Emails Sent Out by ChamberMaster/GrowthZone

To help you identify email that comes from ChamberMaster, find the email sample below that matches your email message. These email samples are legitimate emails generated from ChamberMaster features based on activity by consumers and chamber staff.

Match these samples with your email

•	check the subject of the email to see if it matches

•	check the disclaimer at the bottom of the email

•	or compare the content and format of the email

If you have further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact ChamberMaster Customer support. 1-800-825-9171.

Received by chamber members

1.	Email from consumer visiting the member web page

2.	Email from the chamber that invites member to an event

3.	Email from the chamber that informs of consumer leads

1. Email from a consumer visiting member web page

Where the message comes from: This email message is received by members whenever a consumer visits their member information page (web page) and chooses one these button below:

Content of the message: The comments of the message will vary based on what is written by consumers visiting the web site. Extra notes: Please note that the member’s email address may not be viewed by the consumer. The email is sent using a ChamberMaster form filled in by the consumer visiting the web site; the email address of the member is not displayed. Some consumers have chosen to abuse this feature on the web site that was originally designed to ask questions of the member. If this is a concern or problem, the ability to contact the members may be removed from the web site. Simply remove the email address in the Web Contact Information area on the Web tab of the member’s record.

2. Email from the chamber that invites member to an event

Where the message comes from: This email message is received by a member when chamber staff send an invitation from the Events module. Invitation content may be modified as desired, including the subject line, using the Add Invitations button on the Guest List tab in Events. The included links are determined by selections made within the Events module.

Content of the message: The content and subject line of the message varies based on the desires of the chamber staff. When creating an event invitation, a sample invitation is automatically generated but may be modified as desired.

3. Email from the chamber that informs of consumer leads

Where the message comes from: This email message is received by a member when chamber staff select Distribute General Leads within the Lead Management screen in the Info Request module.

Content of the message: The content of the message varies based on the lead information recorded in Info Request. The consumer information may either be recorded by a chamber staff person through Enter Information Request or may have been input by a consumer if using the Info Request selection on the chamber’s public web site. The subject line is a field that may be modified by chamber staff right before sending the leads.

Received by the chamber

4.	Email from a consumer visiting the chamber web site

4. Email from a consumer visiting the chamber web site

Where the message comes from: This email message is received by the chamber when a consumer clicks Contact Us on the chamber’s public web site. This link is a module that is available as a link on your chamber’s public web site.

Content of the message: The comments of the message will vary based on what is written by consumers visiting the web site.

Extra notes: The email is sent using a ChamberMaster form filled in by the consumer visiting the web site; the email address of the chamber is not displayed.

Received by consumers

5.	Email from the chamber sending requested information

6.	Email generated by ChamberMaster sending a Hot

7.	Email generated by ChamberMaster sending a job posting

5. Email from the chamber sending requested information

Where the message comes from: This email message is received by a consumer when chamber staff complete an Info Request form and select that an email version of a publication or brochure be sent to the consumer. Consumers may also generate this same result when selecting to receive an email version of a publication using the Info Request module on the chamber’s public web site.

Content of the message: The content of the message remains basically the same but the attached documents vary based on the selections made on the Info Request form.

6. Email generated by ChamberMaster/GrowthZone sending a Hot Deal

Where the message comes from: This email message is received by a consumer when another consumer selects to email a Hot Deal to another consumer.

Content of the message: The content of this message remains basically the same but the name of the Hot Deal will vary.

7. Email generated by ChamberMaster/GrowthZone sending a job posting

Where the message comes from: This email message is received by a consumer when another consumer selects to email a job posting to another consumer.

Content of the message: The content of this message remains basically the same but the name of the job title will vary.

FAQs on Emails, Letters, and Labels

• How do I add an attachment to an email?
• Who is able to view the attachment that comes when I send myself a carbon copy?
• Why do some of my email messages not make it through to the recipient? 
• Are there any systems in place to help ensure the delivery of my emails?
• How can we ensure that our members are not spammed through the Contact Us link?
• Why do the links inside my email not open for me or my members?
• How do I create a signature block to use when sending communication?
• How can I easily provide referrals AND notify my members when I've given out information referring them?
• How do I send a letter/email to my members with their login name and password included automatically?
• Why do my mailing labels get cut off or are not aligned correctly?
• How do I manage my mailing lists?
• How do I remove the headers and footers that print on my letters and reports?

Find answers to more commonly asked questions about Communication on the FAQ page

Help Documentation

Browse the Communication Table of Contents