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Add a Join Reason to an Existing Membership

Updated
The Goal: Add a join reason to a membership that already exists on a contact’s record, so the reason is captured for reporting.

Before You Begin:

  • When a membership is approved via a membership application, the option to select a join reason on the application is not available. Once the application is approved and the contact has a membership on their record, you can add the join reason for reporting purposes.
  • The join reason you want must already exist in your list of membership join reasons. They are managed on the Membership Join Reasons page under Memberships > Settings.
  • The contact must already have a membership on their record — this article edits an existing membership, it does not create one.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. On the contact’s Overview tab, click the name of the membership assigned to the contact.
    Memberships section on the contact’s Overview tab with the membership name boxed
  2. In the Membership Details window, in the Membership Activity section, click the link in the Membership Type column on the line with the Activity Type set to New.
    Membership Details window with the Membership Activity section shown and the MEMBERSHIP TYPE link on the Activity Type “New” line boxed
  3. In the Edit Membership Activation window, in the Join details section, click the drop-down arrow to select the Join Reason you wish to apply to the membership.
    Edit Membership Activation window with the JOIN REASON drop-down boxed
  4. Click Done to save the existing membership’s join reason.

Related Membership Changes

Common Pitfalls

  • Editing the wrong activity line: The join reason belongs to the line whose Activity Type is New. Clicking a renewal or change line opens a different activation record.
  • Expecting the application to capture it: A membership approved through an application never carries a join reason. If you report on join reasons, plan to add them on the record afterwards.
  • No suitable reason in the list: The drop-down only offers the reasons your organization has set up. Add the reason on the Membership Join Reasons page under Memberships > Settings first.

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