UnionPally Member Management Guide
A Guide to Adding, Managing, and Understanding Members and Member Assets in Your Association
What Are Members?
Members are the people who belong to your association. They are the heart of your organization - the individuals who attend meetings, pay levies, participate in activities, and make your association a thriving community.
Member Management Features
| Feature | Description | Who Can Do It | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Add Members | Register new people to your association | Exco & Admins | Growing your organization |
| Member Profiles | Store contact info and personal details | Exco & Admins | Staying connected |
| Role Assignment | Assign admin/exco positions | Admins | Leadership management |
| Asset Tracking | Link properties/shops to members | Exco & Admins | Property management |
| Levy Management | Assign fees and track payments | Exco & Admins | Financial management |
| Activity Tracking | Monitor meetings, payments, involvement | All | Performance monitoring |
UNDERSTANDING MEMBER TYPES
Regular Members
The foundation of your association:
- Attend meetings and vote on decisions
- Pay dues and levies
- Participate in association activities
- Can own assets (shops, properties, etc.)
Admin Members
Full management authority:
- Everything regular members can do, PLUS:
- Add and remove other members
- Create and modify levies
- Access financial records
- Manage association settings
- Assign roles to other members
Executive Committee (Exco) Members
Leadership with specific roles:
| Position | Responsibilities | Key Powers |
|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Overall leadership, meeting facilitation | Decision making, member management |
| Vice Chairman | Support chairman, step in when needed | Leadership backup authority |
| Secretary | Records, correspondence, meeting minutes | Document management, communication |
| Treasurer | Financial management, budget oversight | Money handling, financial reporting |
| Financial Secretary | Levy collection, payment tracking | Fee management, debt monitoring |
| Welfare Officer | Member support, community care | Member assistance programs |
| Public Relations Officer | External communication, publicity | Association representation |
| Provost | Order, discipline, rule enforcement | Meeting order, disciplinary actions |
| Town Crier | Information sharing, announcements | Communication, meeting notifications |
ADDING NEW MEMBERS - Step by Step
What Information You Need
Required Information:
- Full Name - Member's complete legal name
- Start Date - When they officially join
- Association - Which association they're joining
- Your PIN - For security verification
Optional but Recommended:
- Phone Number - For communication and invites
- Email Address - Official correspondence
- Address - Where they can be reached
- Nickname - What they prefer to be called
- Gender - For demographics and records
- Existing Debt - Any previous outstanding amounts
- Role - Regular member, admin, or exco position
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Navigate to Member Management
- Log into your UnionPally account
- Select your association
- Go to "Members" section
- Click "Add New Member"
Step 2: Fill in Basic Details
Member Name: "John Doe"
Nickname: "JD" (optional)
Start Date: Select the official joining date
Gender: Select from dropdown (optional)
Step 3: Add Contact Information
Phone: Enter with country code
Email: Valid email address
Address: Full residential address
Pro Tip: If the person already has a UnionPally account, they'll automatically be invited to link their profile!
Step 4: Set Financial Information
Existing Debt: Enter any previous debt amount
Role: Choose member type (Regular/Admin/Exco)
Step 5: Security and Confirmation
Your PIN: Enter your security PIN
Review all details
Click "Create Member"
What Happens After Adding a Member
-
Member Profile Created
- All information stored securely
- Unique member ID generated
-
Automatic Levy Assignment
- Registration fee applied (if set)
- All "For All Members" levies assigned
- Existing debt recorded (if any)
-
System Invitations
- If phone/email provided and person has UnionPally account:
- Link invitation sent automatically
- Role-based invites for admin/exco positions
- If phone/email provided and person has UnionPally account:
-
Admin Notifications
- Success confirmation with details
- Summary of applied levies
- Next steps recommendations
MEMBER ASSETS - Managing Properties and Belongings
What Are Member Assets?
Assets are properties, shops, or items owned by members that your association needs to track. Think of them as the "things" members have that might need special fees, maintenance, or management.
Types of Assets You Can Track
| Asset Type | Best For | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Shop | Market associations | "Shop A-12", "Corner Store" |
| Warehouse | Storage facilities | "Storage Unit 5", "Main Warehouse" |
| Plaza | Commercial complexes | "Plaza Block B", "Shopping Center" |
| Canopy | Temporary structures | "Market Stall 15", "Trade Canopy" |
| Container | Shipping containers | "Container 40ft-A", "Storage Box" |
| Land | Plots and parcels | "Plot 123", "2-Acre Farm" |
| Building | Structures | "Office Building", "Residential Block" |
| Apartment | Residential units | "Flat 3B", "2-Bedroom Unit" |
| Vehicle | Cars, trucks | "Toyota Camry", "Delivery Truck" |
| Motorcycle | Motorbikes | "Honda 125", "Delivery Bike" |
| Bicycle | Bicycles | "Mountain Bike", "City Cruiser" |
| Others | Anything else | Custom asset types |
Adding Assets to Members
- Go to member profile
- Click "Add Asset"
- Fill in asset details:
Asset Name: "Shop A-12" Asset Type: Shop Description: "Electronics and phone accessories" Location: "Block A, Row 1, Main Market" Start Date: When member acquired it - Save the asset
Why Track Assets?
- Asset-Based Levies - Charge fees per shop/property
- Maintenance Tracking - Know what needs upkeep
- Fair Fee Distribution - Bigger properties pay more
- Insurance Records - Document valuable assets
- Transfer History - Track ownership changes
MEMBER LEVIES AND PAYMENTS
How Levies Work with Members
When you create a levy, you can apply it to:
- All Members - Everyone gets the levy automatically
- Specific Members - Choose who gets charged
- Member Assets - Charge based on properties owned
Automatic Levy Assignment
For New Members:
- Registration Fee - Applied immediately (if set)
- "For All" Levies - All universal levies assigned
- Existing Debt - Recorded as debt levy (if any)
For Existing Members:
- New "For All" levies apply automatically
- Asset-based levies apply when assets are added
Payment Tracking
Each member has a payment dashboard showing:
- Paid levies (with dates and amounts)
- Pending payments (with deadlines)
- Total debt and payment history
- Payment performance metrics
MEMBER ROLES AND PERMISSIONS
Permission Levels
| Action | Regular Member | Admin | Exco |
|---|---|---|---|
| View member list | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Add new members | No | Yes | Yes |
| Edit member details | No | Yes | Yes |
| Delete members | No | Yes | No |
| Create levies | No | Yes | Yes |
| View payments | Own only | All | All |
| Manage association settings | No | Yes | No |
Assigning Roles
To Make Someone an Admin:
- Edit their member profile
- Change role to "Admin"
- Enter your PIN
- They'll get invitation if they have UnionPally account
To Assign Exco Position:
- Edit member profile
- Select specific exco role (Chairman, Secretary, etc.)
- System sends appropriate invitations
- Member accepts and gains exco powers
Important Notes:
- Only one Chairman per association
- Multiple people can hold same exco position (except Chairman)
- Admins can assign any role
- Exco members can add other members but not admins
MEMBER LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT
Member Journey
1. Joining Phase
- Member added to system
- Registration fee applied
- Welcome communications sent
- Assets registered (if any)
2. Active Phase
- Regular levy payments
- Meeting attendance
- Asset management
- Role responsibilities
3. Special Situations
- Role changes (promoted to exco/admin)
- Asset acquisitions or sales
- Debt management
- Disciplinary actions
4. Inactive/Exit Phase
(Future Features - Currently Under Development)
- Resignation tracking
- Expulsion records
- Asset transfers
- Final debt settlement
Managing Member Status
Active Members
- Joined and participating normally
- Paying levies on time
- Attending meetings regularly
Members with Issues
- Outstanding debts
- Missed payments
- Poor meeting attendance
- Disciplinary concerns
BEST PRACTICES FOR MEMBER MANAGEMENT
1. Data Quality
- Collect complete information during registration
- Verify phone numbers and emails for accuracy
- Update details regularly as members change info
- Use consistent naming conventions
2. Communication
- Add contact information for all members
- Send invitations to link UnionPally accounts
- Use clear member names (avoid nicknames as primary names)
- Keep address records current
3. Role Management
- Start with regular members - promote based on involvement
- Limit admin access - only trusted, active members
- Distribute exco roles based on skills and availability
- Review roles regularly - adjust as needed
4. Financial Tracking
- Set registration fees for new members
- Apply existing debts during registration
- Use asset-based levies for fair fee distribution
- Monitor payment patterns to identify issues early
5. Asset Management
- Record all member assets for complete tracking
- Use descriptive names ("Shop A-12" not "Shop")
- Keep location information current
- Track asset ownership changes over time
COMMON SETUP SCENARIOS
New Market Association
Member Setup:
- Name: "Ade Johnson"
- Role: Regular Member
- Assets: "Shop 15, Electronics Section"
- Start Date: Market opening date
- Registration Fee: ₦5,000
- Monthly Dues: ₦2,000
- Shop Maintenance: ₦1,000/month
Residential Estate Group
Member Setup:
- Name: "Mrs. Sarah Williams"
- Role: Regular Member
- Assets: "House 23, Block C"
- Start Date: Move-in date
- Registration Fee: ₦10,000
- Security Levy: ₦3,000/month
- Development Fund: ₦50,000 (one-time)
Social Club
Member Setup:
- Name: "Michael Chen"
- Role: Secretary (Exco)
- Assets: None
- Start Date: Club joining date
- Membership Fee: ₦15,000/year
- Event Fund: ₦500/month
- No asset-based fees
Professional Association
Member Setup:
- Name: "Dr. Amina Bakare"
- Role: Admin
- Assets: "Office Suite 4B"
- Start Date: License date
- Annual Dues: ₦25,000
- Office Maintenance: ₦5,000/quarter
- Professional Development Fund: Variable
COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID
During Member Registration
Missing Contact Information
- Problem: Can't send invitations or communicate effectively
- Solution: Always collect phone number or email
Wrong Start Dates
- Problem: Affects levy calculations and member status
- Solution: Use actual joining date, not system entry date
Ignoring Existing Debts
- Problem: Financial records incomplete
- Solution: Ask about and record any previous debts
Role Management
Too Many Admins
- Problem: Security and control issues
- Solution: Limit admin access to 2-3 trusted members
Wrong Exco Assignments
- Problem: Confusion about responsibilities
- Solution: Match roles to member skills and availability
Asset Tracking
Vague Asset Names
- Problem: Can't identify specific properties
- Solution: Use clear, specific names ("Shop A-12" not "Shop")
Missing Asset Information
- Problem: Incomplete records affect levy calculations
- Solution: Record all member properties and belongings
TROUBLESHOOTING MEMBER ISSUES
"Member can't receive invitations"
Check contact information - phone and email correct?
Verify UnionPally account - do they have one?
Resend invitations - sometimes messages get lost
Manual linking - help them link accounts directly
"Wrong role assigned to member"
Edit member profile - change role field
Check permissions - ensure you have admin access
Verify exco limits - only one chairman allowed
Send new invitations - role change triggers new invites
"Member not seeing their levies"
Check levy assignment - was it applied to this member?
Verify "For All" settings - should everyone have this levy?
Asset-based levies - member needs matching assets
Date ranges - levy might not be active yet
"Asset levies not working"
Asset registered - member must have asset recorded
Asset type match - levy must match asset type
Active status - both asset and levy must be active
Assignment settings - levy set for assets, not members
MEMBER ANALYTICS AND REPORTING
Key Metrics to Track
Member Growth
- New members per month
- Total active members
- Member retention rate
- Geographic distribution
Financial Performance
- Payment completion rates
- Average debt per member
- Levy collection efficiency
- Asset-based revenue
Engagement Levels
- Meeting attendance rates
- Active vs. inactive members
- Communication response rates
- Role participation
Using Member Data
For Association Planning:
- Budget based on member count and payment patterns
- Plan events around member availability and interests
- Adjust levies based on member financial capacity
- Identify leaders from active, engaged members
For Improved Communication:
- Target messages to specific member groups
- Use preferred contact methods (phone vs. email)
- Track response rates to improve messaging
- Personalize communications using member data
UPCOMING MEMBER FEATURES
Currently under development for future releases:
Advanced Member Status Tracking
- Desertion tracking for absent members
- Formal suspension management
- Resignation process handling
- Expulsion records and procedures
- Deceased member memorial features
Enhanced Member Assets
- Asset transfer between members
- Asset history and ownership tracking
- Asset valuation and insurance records
- Maintenance scheduling for assets
Improved Communication
- Bulk SMS to member groups
- Email newsletters and updates
- Push notifications for mobile apps
- WhatsApp integration for groups
MEMBER MANAGEMENT CHECKLIST
Setting Up New Members
- Collect complete contact information
- Set accurate start date
- Record any existing debts
- Assign appropriate role
- Register member assets
- Apply registration fees and universal levies
- Send account linking invitations
- Welcome communication sent
Ongoing Member Management
- Regular data updates - keep contact info current
- Payment monitoring - track dues and debt levels
- Role reviews - adjust positions as needed
- Asset updates - record changes in property ownership
- Engagement tracking - monitor participation levels
- Communication maintenance - ensure members get messages
Monthly Review Tasks
- Check payment completion rates
- Review member debt levels
- Update asset registrations
- Validate contact information
- Assess role assignments
- Plan member engagement activities
MEMBER SUCCESS STRATEGIES
Building Strong Membership
1. Quality Over Quantity
- Focus on engaged, committed members
- Set clear expectations during registration
- Maintain high standards for participation
2. Fair and Transparent Management
- Apply rules consistently to all members
- Maintain clear communication about fees and expectations
- Provide regular updates on association activities
3. Member Development
- Rotate leadership opportunities
- Provide training for exco positions
- Recognize and reward active participation
4. Technology Integration
- Encourage members to link UnionPally accounts
- Use digital communication channels effectively
- Provide training on system features
Retention Strategies
Keep Members Engaged:
- Regular communication and updates
- Fair levy amounts and clear purposes
- Opportunities for participation and leadership
- Recognition for contributions and service
Address Issues Quickly:
- Payment difficulties - offer payment plans
- Communication problems - multiple contact methods
- Role conflicts - clear job descriptions and expectations
- Asset disputes - fair resolution processes
FINAL TIPS FOR SUCCESS
Start Right
- Collect complete information during initial registration
- Set clear expectations about roles and responsibilities
- Use consistent naming and categorization systems
- Plan for growth with scalable processes
Maintain Quality
- Regular data cleanup - keep member information current
- Monitor payment patterns - identify and address issues early
- Review role assignments - ensure they match member capabilities
- Track engagement levels - maintain active participation
Plan for the Future
- Document processes - ensure consistency and continuity
- Train multiple administrators - avoid single points of failure
- Build member leadership - develop successors for key roles
- Continuously improve - gather feedback and adapt systems
Congratulations! You now have the complete guide to managing members in your UnionPally association. Remember: Great associations are built on great member management. Take time to do it right, and your organization will thrive!
Last updated: January 2026 Need technical help? Contact your system administrator Questions about specific features? Check the other user guides Found a problem? Report issues to the development team