Options for Augmenting the Membership
Raising the profile of Business Groups and individual memberships. Adding value to the BASIS Dairy Pro membership
My Learning Plan integrated into the members section - allow members to construct a wishlist of events - an itinerary that sees them through to endorsed status at the end of the year, a bit like an Expedia travel itinerary.
Learning Pathways (standard and smart proposed event lists) could be suggested based upon their interests and specific skillsets e.g. grassland management.
Also the prompting of users if they should be lacking in a particular learning pillar with suggested events - with a view to making them more complete BASIS Dairy Professionals.
Ability to allow Business Groups to create informal events (perhaps retrospectively) for their group members from which points may be earnt. Provided sufficient verification e.g. photos on site etc. is supplied points can be attributed to the event and earnt by the members in the normal way. An example might be a day in the field with a visiting vet.
Builds on the self certified events idea; Ability for business groups to apply for points based on learning by association. For instance if a group member spends part of their day regularly working with an accredited master herdsman from the same group then they may be entitled to 'learning-on-on-the-job-with-expert' experience points.
This would encourage Business Groups to excel in areas and also reward farm hands etc whom might not always have the opportunity to attend dedicated events yet accrue knowledge and professional experience by working with their experienced and skilled colleagues.
Notify and highlight events to members that they may have attended in previous years or that are in their locale. Provide information on related events e.g. members who attended this event also attended... or define relation based on preset administration rules.
Directory services with full search capability allowing Business Groups (or wider public if allowable) to search and retrieve details of qualifying BASIS Dairy Pro members. This links to the professional profiles detailed below in providing a searchable list to fill prospective vacancies (perhaps only visible to Business Groups) (akin to LinkedIn but specifically for Dairy Industry)
Encourage the members to fill out more details about themselves to be retained against their profile e.g. interests, career aspirations, qualifications, work experience etc.
This data can be used in the aforementioned Find a Professional service. It may also be used to give each member a dedicated professional page, detailing their points, event attendance history and above qualitative entries - much like an online CV but one that is always up to date with their latest CPA of course.
Borrowing from the world of online gaming. Create and allow members to achieve 'unlocks' and special commedations beyond the simple 'endorsed' status.
For instance Darren Woods could earn enough points in Catte Husbandry to 'unlock' a Master Herdsman status for his public profile. Further to this his achievement earns his Business Group the same accolade or if say if two members achieve it the BG earns a platinum status in Dairy Management - again well publisced on the groups public profile page
With defined pathways and clear objectives - this could increase interest in gaining maximum points across the groups members and learning pillars creating well rounded Dairy Experts. The teaser is to have upcoming achievements greyed out on the BG area showing how many points needed etc.
With a due nod to Pig Pro; allow business groups to create requirements (be they legisaltive or operational) and denote members who fill these positions - and any affiliated points requirements
An example might be an on site first-aider or operationally at least two individuals qualified to drive tractors.