5.10 Dealing with a waiting list

The Details section of a group record has options to specify the maximum number of members and to enable a waiting list. These act more as a guide than imposing restrictions. 

Not a separate list

When the maximum number in the group has been reached, Beacon doesn't create a separate waiting list of new applicants. Instead, they are listed in the Members section in alphabetical order (by surname) alongside existing members with a note of when they were added to the waiting list under the heading Waiting.

Sending Emails

The heading on the Members Page now has an option to select which Members of a group are shown.

You can now tick the boxes to show Joined Members and Waiting List Members or remove the tick to only show Joined Members or only Waiting List Members. 

This can be helpful when sending an Email as you may want to vary the email content for Waiting List members.

No automation

When someone leaves the group, Beacon doesn't automatically add the person who has been waiting the longest to the group. This gives group leaders the freedom to choose whom to promote. For example, you might want to give priority to someone with particular skills.

If you select the column heading Waiting it changes the order to be oldest waiting first. This aides choosing the new member for the group.

By electing Join Group next to the person's name they will be made a Member of the group rather being on the Waiting list.

Removing someone no longer interested in waiting

If someone on the waiting list decides they're no longer interested in waiting, simply remove them from the group in the normal way by clicking "remove".

 

Changing the maximum number

Changing the Max members field in the Details section has no effect on the way members are listed in the Members section.

Revision History

v1	2021-05-17	David Powers	First version.
v2	2022-11-23	John Alexander	Add optional approach to Waiting lists
v3	2023-10-25	John Alexander	Update to new Waiting list approach