FAQ'S
The following are some questions you may have about PROfile and what it offers to ministry office professionals. If your question is not answered here, please write to Beth Beutler at beth@hopeunlimitedforyou.com.
Why is the newsletter called PROfile?
When HOPE Unlimited took over PROfile, we decided to keep its name to remain familiar with former and current subscribers. “PRO” reflects our audience of professionals, and “file” represents a place to find and keep important information that will be helpful now and in the future. Hence, a “Pro’s File.” With PROfile Online’s archives, your file will be maintained on our site!
What is a “ministry office professional?” I heard PROfile was a newsletter for church secretaries.
When HOPE Unlimited took over PROfile near the end of 2005, it seemed an appropriate time to expand its audience to include anyone who works in the office of a church, ministry organization, religious school or non-profit institution. Professionals from various ministry settings have already been subscribing, and we wanted to acknowledge that all these environments can create similar needs for training and encouragement. Therefore, we broadened our focus to include all “ministry office professionals.”
I used to subscribe to PROfile and would like to subscribe again. How do I do this?
You may click here to be brought to a page that explains the available formats for PROfile. Welcome back!
I think I might like PROfile, but I’m not sure. Can I try it first?
Definitely! Click here for the product page and select “Free trial membership.” We don’t ask for a debit/credit card up front, but we will send you an invitation at the end of your term encouraging you to set up a subscription. Use this trial period to visit around the web center and make sure to look at the archives!
How often is PROfile published?
PROfile is published monthly with brief and helpful articles that should be easy to read quickly.
In what format does the newsletter appear?
The newsletter is prepared on a standard size (8.5 x 11) page so it can be easily printed on paper that is likely already in your printer. Each issue has four sides and can be printed in color or black & white. It is saved as a PDF (portable document format) so that it can be read by many platforms and printers. We also try to use simple fonts to cooperate with a wide range of printers.
I’m afraid I’ll forget to check for an online newsletter.
Not to worry! We send you a courtesy e-mail a few times each month. E-mails includes a “fast launch” link directly to the sign- in page!
If I join PROfile Online, do I get PROfile in regular mail?
No. When you join PROfile Online, you set up a username and password. This allows you access to our members-only PROfile site. On the site, you’ll find a link to a PDF that allows you to print PROfile on a color or black and white computer. This eliminates the need to send it in the mail. Plus, the members-only site has additional features such as expanded articles, information about our team, tips, polls and surveys.
I don’t like reading newsletters on screens. If I want to get PROfile mailed to me, can I do that?
We understand that many people don’t enjoy reading on screen. That is why we set up the newsletter as a printable PDF. However, we also realize that some subscribers would rather just receive the newsletter in the mail. So, at this time, we do offer a PROfile Combo option for $30.00 per year. This allows you to receive a hardcopy of the newsletter in the mail each month plus have log-in privileges for the rest of the material on the site.
I see that PROfile Online is only $15 per year while the PROfile Combo is $30. Could you explain the difference in price?
Because PROfile Online subscribers absorb the cost of printing, and we do not have the labor and cost involved in printing and mailing, we’ve made the online version less expensive. We also want to encourage people to regularly visit the expanding add-on features on our members-only site. With the PROfile Combo, we are still keeping the cost close to what long-time subscribers were used to even though they will now be receiving a monthly mailing, rather than one six times per year, and having the benefit of the online web center.
It sounds as if you’d like everyone to go to PROfile Online. Is that true? Will you be discontinuing the PROfile Combo eventually?
We’ll say “yes” to the first question and “not at this time” to the second question. Our goal is to encourage and equip as many ministry office professionals as possible. We believe PROfile Online is the better choice for several reasons beneficial to the reader as well as being more efficient for us. However, for the foreseeable future, in an effort to accommodate as many tastes as possible, we will continue to offer the PROfile Combo. This decision may be revisited from time to time, but we are committed to fulfilling each subscriber’s term in a satisfactory way.
What is a PROfile Online Site License?
The site license feature ($50 yearly) is designed to work best with organizations with a larger staff. Those who purchase a site license are allowed to share their access password with five or more on their staff and also receive additional privileges throughout the year, such as a gift each April during Administrative Professionals Month.
Why would I bother to buy a site license if I can have PROfile Online for $15 and share it with my staff?
While we understand that the printed newsletter may be circulated among staff, and we don’t want to be stingy, we respectfully ask that if you plan to use PROfile material (either the newsletter or online features) with several on staff on a regular basis, you purchase a site license. Why? We have tried to keep the material very affordable and easy to get to. It would be unfair for many individual subscribers around the country to pay $15 for a single subscription while larger organizations, often with more available funds, circulate issues and passwords without paying for a site license. Plus, if you have five or more on staff that would benefit, the site license ends up being less expensive than paying for individual subscriptions for everyone. It is simply a way we can encourage a fair purchase of copyrighted material.
What if I decide I don’t want PROfile?
You are free to cancel at any time and we will give you a pro-rated refund.
Our organization does not use credit cards. Are there other ways to pay?
You can download an order form here, and send in a check.
I see that if I pay for PROfile Online with a debit/credit card, my renewal will be billed automatically each year. What if I don’t want to keep receiving PROfile?
You can cancel at any time for a pro-rated refund. If you decide to continue with PROfile, (and we hope you do!) you will not have to worry about reordering or renewing each year. You will receive a notice about your card being charged at each year’s renewal time.
What if you change the price of PROfile? How would that affect my recurring charge?
All subscribers who set up a recurring subscription will maintain the rate in affect when they started their subscription. We don’t have any immediate plans to change prices, but should the time come when we do, any price increases would only affect future subscribers or those not set up on a recurring charge. It’s one way to thank you for setting up an ongoing, long-term relationship with us!
Will you be continuing the salary survey?
We were pleased to offer our first Salary, Benefits and Satisfaction in summer, 2007 (posting in July.) We know this is something our readers appreciate and desire. We also have ongoing polls to help us gage what is happening in the offices of churches and ministries.
Do you accept articles from writers? Do you pay writers?
Although we are selective about our material, PROfile will consider submissions from authors and subscribers and we do offer a payment upon publication. For guidelines, contact Beth@hopeunlimitedforyou.com. |