When “new” isn’t

Ask three staff members what "new member" means.

You may get three answers -- or more.

Was a member 10 years ago, lapsed 2 years, and came back?
Upgraded membership level?
Renewed this year as they always do?
Changed from individual to organizational?

Words feel stable.

But they're not.
The truth is, definitions drift quietly over time.

Staff changes.
Boards change.
Assumptions pile up.

Here’s the thing:

Your CRM will faithfully enforce whatever criteria you set.
But it cannot protect you from vague language.

If you want stable reporting, you need stable definitions.

Clarity first. Configuration second.

Always in that order.

All the best,
A.