Online applications that guide every applicant through exactly the right steps

Replace paper forms and email chains with a guided online process

Make applications your best first impression. Membership applications are often the first real interaction someone has with your association. If that experience involves downloading a PDF, printing it, scanning it back, and emailing it to a generic inbox, you are losing applicants before they even finish. Upside AMS replaces that entire process with configurable online wizards that walk each applicant through exactly the steps they need -- and nothing more.

Support every stage of the membership lifecycle. The system supports seven built-in application types: Apply to Join, Reclassify, Status Change, Resignation, Drop, Reinstatement, and Return. Each type serves a different purpose in the membership lifecycle, and each can be configured with its own unique set of steps. A brand-new applicant applying to join might complete demographics, education history, course tracking, endorsements, references, declarations, and document uploads. A returning member applying for reinstatement might only need to confirm their contact details and pay a fee.

Assemble the right wizard dynamically from 18+ step types. Behind the scenes, the wizard engine draws from a library of 18 step types -- including demographics, education, experience, courses with equivalences, endorsements, mentorships, references, declarations, and file attachments. Your team decides which steps appear for each category and application type, and the system assembles the wizard dynamically. No two applicants see an irrelevant screen.

Recover abandoned applications automatically. Applicants can save their progress at any point and return later to pick up where they left off. If they do not come back, the abandoned application tracker kicks in with automated reminders at 30, 55, and 60 days. Staff can view all in-progress applications at a glance and follow up directly when needed.

Key capabilities

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  7+ application types -- Apply to Join, Reclassify, Status Change, Resignation, Drop, Reinstatement, Return, and more as your bylaws require.
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  18+ configurable wizard steps -- Demographics, education, experience, courses, endorsements, mentorships, references, declarations, document uploads, and more.
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  Dynamic step assembly -- The wizard automatically shows only the steps required for the chosen category and application type. No irrelevant screens.
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  Endorsements and mentorships -- Built-in peer review workflows let applicants request endorsements from existing members, with automated tracking and reminders.
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  Reference checks -- Basic and full reference systems with automated outreach, response tracking, and staff visibility into what is complete and what is pending.
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  Course tracking with equivalences -- Applicants log courses and credentials, with support for equivalency mapping so prior learning is recognized automatically.
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  File attachments -- Applicants upload supporting documents directly within the wizard. No separate email required.
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  Progress saving -- Applicants can leave mid-application and return later without losing any entered data.
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  Abandoned application tracking -- Automated reminders at 30, 55, and 60 days bring applicants back. Staff can see all incomplete applications and follow up.
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  Staff review pipeline -- Applications flow through Draft, Submitted, Reviewed, Approved, and Registered stages with clear visibility at every step.

How it works for members

Select a category and get a tailored wizard instantly. Applicants start by selecting the membership category they want to join. The system immediately assembles a wizard with only the steps relevant to that category and application type. There are no unnecessary screens, no confusing conditional logic to navigate -- just a clean, step-by-step process.

Enter credentials, request endorsements, and upload documents in one flow. As they move through the wizard, applicants enter demographics, education history, work experience, course completions, and any other information your association requires. If endorsements or references are needed, the applicant provides contact details and the system handles the outreach automatically. File attachments -- transcripts, certificates, identification -- are uploaded right within the wizard.

Save progress and pick up where you left off. At any point, an applicant can save their progress and come back later. When they return, everything they have entered is exactly where they left it. Once they submit, they receive a confirmation and can monitor the status of their application from their dashboard.

Automated reminders bring applicants back. If life gets in the way and an applicant does not finish, automated emails at 30, 55, and 60 days nudge them back. The link in each reminder takes them directly to where they stopped -- no re-entering information, no starting over.

How it works for staff

Track every application through a clear pipeline. Staff see every application in a clear pipeline view organized by stage: Draft, Submitted, Reviewed, Approved, and Registered. Filtering by category, application type, or date range makes it easy to prioritize the work that matters most on any given day.

Review credentials, endorsements, and documents in one place. Reviewing an application means looking at everything in one place -- demographics, credentials, endorsement responses, reference check results, uploaded documents, and any notes from previous reviewers. Staff can approve, request revisions, or flag issues without switching tools.

Follow up on abandoned applications before they are lost. Abandoned applications are visible too. Staff can see who started but never finished, how far they got, and when their last reminder went out. For high-value applicants, a quick phone call or personal email can recover applications that automated reminders alone might not.