Theatre Design & Technology - Fall 2012 - 72

inside
william j.
byrnes

editor

Membership Report 2012 - 2013
David Grindle, uSITT Executive Director
Martha A. Marking,vice-President for Members, Sections, and chapters

ig improvements in the USITT website, www.usitt.
org, and ongoing activities of USITT's regional sections and student chapters are the focus of this membership report.

Improved Website
A major step forward in member services was instituted on
September 21 when major upgrades to the USITT website went
live. Approximately sixty USITT members were involved in beta
testing the new website, and as a result we were able to launch
it with the confidence it was ready for public consumption. The
input of members on this project has been pivotal. These website upgrades were driven by the results of the January 2012
member survey and through conversations, both in person and
via e-mail, with members in every membership category.
The addition of new features for members only are the
main thrust of these website improvements. We partnered with
Timberlake Membership Software in Fairfax, Virginia, and
we're happy to report that USITT.org is now a fully integrated
website. There have been multiple attempts in the past to make
this happen, and the challenge has always been, and continues
to be, the security of our members' personal information. The
company we chose has a very secure system, and their IT security is very strong.

The new online membership directory keeps members connected with each other.
70

theatre design

& technology

2012

We reviewed several companies and explored demos
before choosing Timberlake. They provided multiple presentations of their product for board members, volunteers, and
USITT staff members so that each group could respond to the
newly developed website from its own perspective. We're happy
to be included among the 300-plus associations and membership organizations that Timberlake supports with data and web
management services.

What are some of the new features?
n Online Directory: Once logged in members can search
the database for active members. Search by name, city,
even radius from a zip code. Helping members connect
to people nearby and far away has always been a goal of
USITT. This new online directory will allow more options
to make connections with other members. (Fear not!
The printed membership directory will continue to be
published and distributed each fall.)
n Discussion Forums: Members can post messages to
discussion forums to receive answers to questions or to
post comments they may have on a whole range of topics
from questions about the conference, to commission or
regional section activities. Through these forums members
may also privately message other USITT members directly
from the website.
n Receipt Printing: When logged in, members can print receipts
for transactions completed with USITT including membership
payments, conference registration, and purchases from the
Shop USITT section. By clicking the "My Transactions" tab
on their profile page, members can print any receipt.
n Event Calendar: This calendar appears on the front page and
throughout the site. Anyone can click on USITT events for
details. If the event registration is being handled through
the USITT National Office you will be able to click and
register for the event. Regional sections and student
chapters can also list events on this master calendar.
The key to accessing the wealth of information on the
website is through the member login button located on the
top right side of the home page. Anyone can access the USITT.
org web pages, but members can see pages and tabs that nonmembers cannot.

http://www.usitt http://www.USITT.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Fall 2012