Customizing FSPC 

There are many ways to customize the FSPC program to meet both the user’s and council’s needs. Below is a list of customizable options: 

§         Classes
§         Tables
  o       Prefixes
  o       Suffixes
  o      Categories
  o       Parishes
  o       Services
§         System Options
  o       Password
  o       Audit protection
  o       Tool tips
  o       Default member group
§         User defined fields*
§         User defined reports*
§         Queries*
§         Letters*

 *Denotes topics which are addressed in separate Help Sheets

Classes 

In the FSPC program a Class is designated for each member for purposes of assigning a dues amount.  If a member pays the full dues amount of the council, their Class is set to REGULAR.  The HONORARY Class is reserved for honorary members, and the amount this Class is charged varies.  Some councils do not charge honorary members while other councils charge a reduced dues amount.  Both the HONORARY LIFE and the NONE Classes are not assigned dues.  The other Class included with the program is DISABLED.  All of these Classes can be assigned a dues amount according to the council’s policies.   

In addition to customizing dues amounts, the FSPC program allows the user to add Classes.  An example of a Class that council’s commonly add, is a Student class, or a Military class.  These Classes can be created and assigned a certain dues amount.  Any member can then be set as belonging to that Class.  This will insure that the member is assigned the dues amount corresponding to that Class. 

To set a member to a Class, go to the Member Information window (Edit menu, Members) and in the lower left click on the Class drop-down arrow.  Once you choose the Class, the corresponding dues amount should appear directly to the right. 

To add a class to the FSPC system, go to the Setup menu and choose Billing.  Click on the Add button and type in the name of the class in the top box.  Type an abbreviation for the Class and type a dues amount.  You can now exit this window. 

To delete a Class, go to the Billing Setup window and click on the Class button.  Select the Class to be deleted and click OK.  Then click the Delete button.  The members who had been assigned to that Class will now have a blank Class – you will need to go to each of their records and choose another Class for those members.

If you change a dues amount for an existing class, be sure to click the Update button to ensure that the change takes effect in the members’ records.

Tables

 Prefixes

In the Member Information window members can be assigned a prefix, such as Mr., Dr., and Rev.  It is also possible to create additional prefixes to meet the needs of other members, such as Br. for Brother.

To create a prefix, go to the Setup menu and choose Tables.  Make sure Prefix is selected on the left.  Click on the Add button and click OK when asked “Are you sure?”  Then type in the prefix and hit the enter key.

 Suffixes 

In the Member Information window members can be assigned a suffix, such as Jr., Sr., and III.  It is also possible to create additional prefixes to meet the needs of other members, such as IV for the 4th.

To create a suffix, go to the Setup menu and choose Tables.  Make sure Suffix is selected on the left.  Click on the Add button and click OK when asked “Are you sure?”  Then type in the suffix and hit the enter key.  

Categories

 Categories are used for Council Transactions, located in the Edit menu.  When creating a receipt or voucher, you may select the category for the transaction.  There are only two categories included with the program: Event Expenses and Office Expenses.  You may create more categories, such as Fund Raising or Hall Rental.

 To create a new category, go to the Setup menu and choose Tables.  Make sure Category is selected on the left.  Click on the Add button and click OK when asked “Are you sure?”  Then type in the category and hit the enter key.

 Parishes 

The FSPC program provides a means to record the parish to which each member belongs.  This information is stored in the Personal screen of the member’s record.  Parish is located in the center right side of the Personal screen. 

 To add a parish to the FSPC program, go to the Setup menu and choose Tables.  Make sure Parish is selected on the left.  Click on the Add button and click OK when asked “Are you sure?”  Then type in the parish name and hit the enter key. 

Services 

In the FSPC program members can be assigned to various Service Personnel Positions.  A good number of positions are included with the program.  A member can be set to a position in the Fraternal screen, in the lower right.  It is also possible to add more positions to choose from. 

To add a Service Personnel Position to the FSPC program, go to the Setup menu and choose Tables.  Make sure Service is selected on the left.  Click on the Add button and click OK when asked “Are you sure?”  Then type in the service name and hit the enter key.

 System Options 

Password 

The FSPC program can be password protected, preventing unauthorized users from accessing the program.  To enable the password protection, go to the Setup menu and choose System Options.  Make sure there is no checkmark in the box beside Disable Sign-On Screen.  Now you must go to the System Users window, also located under the Setup menu.  In the System Users window click on Add, type a user name, and type a Password.  Be sure to record this information in a secure place where it will not be lost.  Now, every time you open up the FSPC program you will be prompted for your user name and password.  You will NOT be able to access the program unless you enter this information correctly. 

Audit Protection 

The FSPC program has the ability to prevent transactions from being deleted.  If the system audit protection is enabled, then no user is able to delete any transaction in the member ledgers or the council transactions area.  To enable or disable this protection feature, go to the Setup menu and choose System Options.  Checkmark the Disable System Audit box if you want to be able to delete transactions.  If you do not want any transactions to be deleted, do not place a checkmark in this box. 

Note:  In order to delete a transaction in a member’s ledger, click on the row of the transaction and click on the Void button on the bottom.  You will first be asked if you want to void the transaction.  If you have the system audit disabled, you will then be asked if you want to delete the transaction.  If the system audit is enabled, you will not be asked if you want to delete the transaction.   

Tool Tips 

A tool tip is a message that displays when the cursor is positioned over a certain button or line of text.  Some buttons and text in the FSPC program are designed to reveal tool tips.  For example, in the Query Builder if you position the mouse cursor over the Field 1 button, a yellow phrase appears explaining what the Field 1 button does.  Also, if you hold the cursor over the text “Include as Member Group” a yellow message will appear explaining what this means. 

 It is possible to enable or disable the appearance of tool tips.  To enable tool tips, go to the Setup menu and choose System Options and place a checkmark in the box beside Show Tool Tips.  Note: Not all buttons and text are set to show tool tips. 

Default Member Group

 The default member group is the group that appears when you first open the Member Information window.  Go to the Edit menu and click on Members – in the top right of the General screen the Group is displayed.  This is the default group.  It is commonly set to Associate & Insurance.  However, you may prefer to change it to another group, such as All Records.  Changing the group to All Records will allow you to access all your members’ records.   

To change the Default Member Group, go to the Setup menu and choose System Options.  At the bottom of the window the Default Member Group is displayed.  To change it, click on the drop-down arrow and choose the group of your choice from the list.  Now each time you open the Member Information window, that group will appear.

5/8/2002