iGrOOps uses shared profiles for member registration.  This makes it simple and attractive for members of one group to browse other groups and join.  The shared profile contains standard information like nickname, name, address, contact info, etc.   But there are times when groups will want to collect more information from members.  This is where the additional member information comes in handy.

Additional member information can be collected in many formats such as input area, textarea, multiple choice and select fields.

There are three types of additional member information.  They are private (default), public, and adminonly.  Each serves a different purpose.

Adding Additional Member Information Fields

What you are doing is basically creating an online form using HTML form elements.  The good news is, you do not need to know HTML coding.  These additional information fields are set up in your administrator settings. Just follow the simple steps.

1. Enter Question / Information You Are Seeking.  This is what you are prompting the user for.  For example, "Where were you born?" or "How did you hear about us?"
2. Select what Type of answer required.  "Type" refers to the format of the answer.  Your choices are 1) short answer, which would give the users a text box to enter their answer, b) long answer, which would give uses a text area (multiple line box for free typing), or c) multiple choice, where you would enter the multiple choice answers below, one choice per line.  If there are many possible answers for your multiple choice question a pulldown menu is used in place or radio or checkboxes.
3. Enter and optional Explanation.  This will explain the info you are requesting on the right side of the form in the notes column.  For example, if you are asking for the member's birthplace, it is a good idea to explain if you are looking for city, state, country, or all three, and perhaps why you need this info.
4. Information Type.  Is it private, public, or adminonly? (see below for details)
5. Click either the "Add Another" or "Save and Next" button at the bottom of the page.

To edit or delete a field, click on the pencil icon next to the information you want to edit or delete.  The screen will refresh with the details filled in. You can then edit or delete the information.

The "order" area lists each of your questions in the order they appear on the forms.  You can select the question and use the up or down arrow to adjust the order of the questions.

"Private" Information Type 

The additional member info allows the administrator to prompt the prospective member for information in the application process that would be of interest for the admin.  This information can be used in the decision making process to accept or reject the member, for marketing purposes, or for anything else.  This information is "private" and only seen by the admin.

When members apply for membership to your iGrOOp, they go through a step by step process.  This process can be as simple as one step for groups with no additional applicant information, no membership options, and no payment needed.  When you use the administrator's settings option to request additional information from users, it adds another step in the membership application process.

Many studies have shown that people are more likely for complete simple forms versus longer, complex ones.  To increase membership, keep your additional requested information as short as possible.

Do NOT ask for credit card numbers or other information that must be secured! The information you ask for is sent to you by unsecured e-mail.

This information collected is stored on the server and available in the member's profile.  This information can also been seen in the "Pending Members" area where you go to approve or decline the member.

Example:  For one of our house groups, we collect the following information from new applicants:

This is what the applicant sees when completing the group's membership application.  This information is not required, that is, it will let the member proceed with the application without completing the fields -- it is up to the admin to approve of decline the application based on the information given.

When an administrator goes to approve the application by visiting the "pending membership" section, he or she will see this information as well.

In addition, group administrators will have access to this information (both viewing and editing) in the member's group profile:

"Public" Information Type

Questions you check off as "public" will be seen by the member in the member's profile withing your group only.  There the member can enter the answers to the questions or enter the information you prompt them for.  Other members can see the answers to these questions when viewing the member's profile.  Admins can edit this information on behalf of the member.

Example: We want to know where our affiliates are using displaying their banners. We cannot ask them this at the time they join (because they just joined!).  This is also information we want affiliates to share with other affiliates -- to give others ideas how to best promote iGrOOps.  So we created a question that appears in the member's profile for this group only.  This is where they edit their profile by clicking the edit icon in the main header:

Like the private information, administrators can see and edit this information in the member's profile.  Unlike the private information, other members who view this member's profile will see this information, thus being "public".

"Adminonly" Information Type

You can enter questions that only admins can see and access when viewing the member profile.  The member cannot see this information.  This is like the "for office use only" section you see on many paper forms.

Example: We call our affiliates and speak with them.  We want to make notes in their profile based on our conversation.  These notes we want only administrators of our group to see -- not the members.  "adminonly" information type is perfect for this:

Your Own Terms and Conditions

All members of any iGrOOp are bound by the standard iGrOOps terms and conditions which covers just about all legal issues.  However, if you want to implement your own set of "rules and guidelines" here is the place to do it.  Simply enter the text here and your prospective members will have to agree to them before continuing with the application.