Jan. 2026 Magazine - Flipbook - Page 6
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S DESK
MAPPING OUR FUTURE
MEMBERCLICKS - HAPPY NEW YEAR!
We are starting the new year strong! This year we will finally transition to a new Association
Management Software (AMS). AMS is what we utilize to manage the memberships portal. We
have been with YourMembership, our former AMS, for over 10 years. Sadly, we have outgrown
them. We will start the transition internally to MemberClicks right after Symposium is done.
Apologizing in advance for delayed response times as we take this huge step! However, we will be
getting a fresh look on our website, and hopefully this platform will be more user-friendly. It
should feature a mobile view of the website that is compatible and easier to look at on your
phone, Chapter Presidents being able to send messages with attachments, an ACH payment
option, and other more.
MERCH
We have ordered new merch that we are truly excited about! This new merch will be featured at
Symposium. Please go check it out and give me your honest feedback. We will load it to the website
shortly after Symposium.
CHAPTER DUES
This is just a small update mostly pertaining to the chapter officers. We will issue Chapter rebates
promptly after Symposium. After that, we will start dispersing membership rebates to the chapter
monthly. The chapters get a steady income throughout the year without having to wait for the
annual rebate. Chapters, if you have not already updated your 990-N and reported it to the TSPS
Office, please do so to receive a Chapter rebate.
GETTING INVOLVED
This past year we noticed that there was a decrease in Chapters
sponsoring state-level events. I know that chapters look to the
state level for support. The state also needs support from the
chapters. This could look like scholarships for a member to
attend Convention or Chapters paying the membership for
a first year RPLS.
We plan to make all the paraprofessional classes offered at
Convention exclusive to Symposium except the RPLS TSSE
Exam prep. I think this is vital to keep attendance up at
Symposium especially since it will be in January until 2028. I
encourage members to try presenting at our Symposium! It is
okay if you’ve never presented. That is what Course and Speaker
Development is for. We need new content and perspective
It has been expressed that webinars take away from attendance at Convention and Symposium.
However, most feedback gives evidence that attendance is low because of the lack of diversity in
sessions. This past Convention, we went up to members and asked if they could teach a session,
what would they teach? This resulted in a lot of new and different sessions being offered. If you have
something you have thought about teaching or are currently workshopping, I am all ears.
Trena Vanderhoeven
TSPS Executive Director
4
January 2026 | THE TEXAS SURVEYOR
