Membership records & courtesy extensions

Jennifer Reager

I'm looking for other RE users that have the Membership module. Is anyone planning to offer extensions to memberships due to COVID-19 closures (or have experience with this in the past)? While this is still up for consideration at my org, I'm thinking through the logistics of this. I'm certain there's more to it than just a global change or import of an updated expiration date.


Any input is greatly appreciated! Stay safe, all.

Greg Swyden

Hi Jennifer,

I reached out to our rep recently, asking if they are doing anything to assist us with mass expiration extensions. They are "feverishly" working on a "plug-in" for the the various modules in BlackBaud. No date of release yet.

We like you are considering how to handle this. Our consensus is that we will offer an extension but will appeal for them to "donate" the extended months and share the value of the donation. Ex: a $119 membership, not accepting the "2 months" extension would equal a $20 donation. Then continue to share, as we have, how their continued support is helping our facility to continue to meet our objectives and goals.

We have appeal both for donations and to continue to renew and have had a good response. This is our busiest season so we are down drastically but are receiving funds for both.

For those that do not wish to donate, we will extend. Now, how do we implement this? I got a flash while discussing the options to set up an event with a zero dollar cost. The would "register" and enter their info, name, email etc. the registration will confirm they are donating the extension and will be part of their record. Then we will have to figure out a query to pull these "event" participants from the list before "globally" extending the rest.

Hopefully their "plug-in" will work and make this list excludable.

If I hear anything, I'll come back and share.

Good luck and stay healthy,

Greg Swyen