How YMCA North transformed member management and increased revenue with Jonas Leisure and Ezidebit

YMCA North, a not-for-profit community organisation, operates 12 recreation centres nationwide, servicing 18,000 members. To better serve its communities, YMCA North needed to significantly improve operational efficiency. The organisation faced several key challenges, including reliance on multiple external providers, disconnected systems, and time-consuming manual processes. This complexity meant staff were often overwhelmed with administrative tasks and lacked the comprehensive business insights needed to identify opportunities and inform smart business decisions.

YMCA North initiated a tendering process to find a provider who could consolidate and streamline their operations to deliver better efficiency. They ultimately selected Jonas Leisure's Envibe as their new member management software and Ezidebit as their integrated payments system. Dave Willetts, YMCA North Operation & Applications Specialist, led the successful rollout.

"The last time we chose a system, it was easier for us (management) to use and get reports, but the user part was terrible. This time, we focused on making sure the online functionality was user-friendly for our receptionist staff and our members," Dave said.

By migrating to Jonas Leisure's Envibe with Ezidebit's integrated payment solution, YMCA North successfully enhanced member management and payment processes across all 12 centres. This strategic shift boosted membership revenue by 18%, drastically improved operational efficiency, and substantially strengthened data security.

"Our board was extremely pleased with the entire process. We only had four months to bring in this new system and did it flawlessly. The smoothness of the implementation was such that it went unnoticed by many," Dave said.

Key benefits delivered

Prior to the migration, members had to visit the centre in person or make payments over the phone, which were then processed manually at the counter. This outdated system meant revenue opportunities were often missed, facilities were under-utilised, and staff were constantly burdened with excessive administration.

Following the migration, YMCA North has seen a significant improvement in several key areas:

Boosting revenue with an 18% increase in usage

"One of the most significant highlights post-migration was our performance on the first day," Dave explained. "We saw $15,000 in web payments on day one, which is incredible for an organisation previously with no real online sales presence. By the second day, this figure jumped to $25,000."

The positive impact has only grown from there, with sustained improvements across facility utilisation and enrollments:

• An 8.5% increase in course enrollments
• A 17.5% increase in space hires
• An 18% increase in membership and casual usage

Reducing payment admin time

Automating manual processes has fully streamlined the payment cycle, from setup to follow-up of any missed payments.

"By automating routine tasks, we're saving staff around two hours a week. In a busy environment, every hour saved helps," Dave said.

Improved data security and compliance

The implementation of Envibe and Ezidebit has brought major improvements in data security and compliance for YMCA North, as all payments and customer data are now processed securely within Ezidebit's Level 1, PCI-DSS compliant system.

"Previously a staff member had to handle and view the customer's credit card. Now all sensitive payment information is handled through a secure online portal."

Ongoing support and future plans

Looking forward, by improving business efficiency, the team at YMCA North can now invest more time in strategic future planning. The ongoing support of Envibe and Ezidebit will be key to driving new initiatives.

"Working with Jonas Leisure and Ezidebit has not just been about implementing a new software system; it's transformed how we manage our operations and engage with our members," Dave said.

To implement a scalable, secure, and integrated payment solution that will future-proof your business, contact the team at Ezidebit today.