Life’s a BREEZE
In a previous life, I worked in the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) industry, where it was my actual job to assess the myriad software systems that my team used, and determine their efficacy through pieces of data like click-through rates, time spent on tasks, and return on investment. In areas where our systems were ineffective, it was up to me to find systems and/or software that improved our effectiveness and productivity. In some cases, that meant changing our human processes because we weren’t going to change the software; other times, the solution was a system upgrade. On rare occasions, the solution was to scrap the system altogether, and I got the treat of finding the replacement software.
Well wouldn’t you know it, I’ve found myself in a very similar position here! Fortunately, there are far fewer softwares to which I need to acclimate in this role, but in the interest of full transparency, I have to admit that the database we have been using for the past one hundred years has absolutely confounded me, a Millennial. So this week, Faith Lutheran Church has begun its transition to Breeze Church Management System.
“Ok, Carly, that’s cool. But like… why are you telling me?”
I’m so glad you asked. Technology seems to have outpaced the system that we have been using, and it does not offer the simple-to-use features that many other cloud-based church management systems do, like taking attendance, managing contributions, scheduling events, and managing service opportunities. There are a ton of fun features that I’ll be learning over the next couple of weeks, and as I learn more about how they’ll benefit us, I’ll probably share more articles in future newsletters. Right now, I’m most thrilled about the system’s functionalities for organizing volunteers and worship assistants. I’ll show you how that works once I understand it better.
Now. I suppose it’s time to address the elephant in the proverbial room: Giving statements. I’d really struggled with sending quarterly statements from our previous system. The process was not very user friendly or intuitive, and the company from which we’d purchased it charges its users for technical support. (Who does that?) So when I found out how much of a breeze it was to send the statements in our new system, I decided that now was the time to send them. All. I realize this was an opportunity for me to manage my impulses and test some things, but I didn’t. So if your statement looks a little weird, or has information that seems incorrect (like your kid’s giving, Dad), I promise it will get worked out, and your end-of-year statement will be accurate and easy to read. I was just way too excited to send it today!!!
I’m not a mind reader, but I do like to pretend that I am. So I reckon you’re wondering if there will be any growing pains with this system. My answer is: nah. I’ll be working between both systems for a little while, like how you slowly incorporate new food for cats. Hopefully, you’ll just suddenly say to yourself “Wow, Carly has been doing an amazing job lately. I already thought she was great, but she’s really outdoing herself these days. How does she make it look so effortless?” and the answer will be that we switched to Breeze.
You guys. This is going to be so great. I can’t wait to tell you more.