Maximize Your SRAI Experience | Member Directory
Welcome to the SRAI website, where you will find everything you need to Maximize Your SRAI Experience. This month we continue to share some tips about how to get the most out of this tool with a focus on the Member Directory. Check out our previous months’ tips on logging in and getting your account set up and how to post on Connect.
SRAI’s Member Directory is a great way to build your network of research administration professionals. You can easily locate others in the organization, your chapter and/or region and find potential collaborators or speakers for conference presentations, articles, Coffee Talks, and podcasts.
Here are some pointers to help get you started.
The first step is to log into the SRAI website with your email and password credentials using the blue Sign in button at the top right of the screen. After you log in, you will see a picture of yourself or a silhouette. If you have a picture on your SRAI member profile, it is easy to tell if you are logged into the website. Next, select the Connect tab from the tool bar. This drops down to another tool bar; the Member Directory link is at the far left. Select this to go to the Member Directory page..
Basic/Advanced Searches
The Member Directory page serves as your home base. From here you have options for basic and advanced searches. You can toggle back and forth between the two tabs. Under the Basic option, you can search by name, company/institution, or email. After you have entered the necessary information, select the Find Contacts tab to view the results.
The Advanced option offers additional, more specific search parameters including location, speaker areas of expertise, interest groups, and organization type. You will select Find Members to view results. The Clear All tab is present for both options; it permits quick removal of entered information and readies the screen for new searches. Under either of these search methods, if you enter information in just one field, i.e., first or last name, several results may appear. In this case, navigate to the desired member’s name.
Add and Message Contacts
When you have located an individual member, that member’s entry screen appears. Several choices are available to add and message contacts; these will differ depending upon the search option used. Hover your computer mouse over the person’s name to reveal a vCard with two tabs - Request Contact (for new contacts) or Already A Contact (for existing contacts) and Send Message. This is a shortcut and shows up under both basic and advanced searches.
If you have searched using the Basic option, the results will show an entry screen with the member’s name (hyperlinked) along with standard contact details. A Send Message button is present at the far right; click on the button to reveal a screen where you can compose and send an email message. When you click on the member’s hyperlinked name, you will go to the member’s full directory listing, where you can add/remove a contact, Download vCard (allows you to add the member’s contact information to your email) and Send Message.
If you search using the Advanced option, the initial entry screen shows the hyperlinked member’s name and contact details. The Add as Contact or Remove Contact button appears next to the Send Message button. This is a difference from the Basic option.
The Directory Listing
An SRAI member’s full directory listing shows all available information for that member. In addition to the Contact Details, this page has tabs for Profile, Connections, and Contributions. The Profile section is pulled from the SRAI member’s profile and displays the individual’s education, job history, honors and awards, professional associations, and speaker areas of expertise. The Connections tab has several subgroups to explore. Contacts shows the member’s established contacts within SRAI. Networks identifies other members based on attributes such as city, organization type, interest groups, job history. The Communities subgroup displays the chapters, sections, divisions, committees, and interest areas for the member. You can request to join an area by selecting the Join button associated with the item. Following displays content the member has either posted on various SRAI platforms or is following. Under the Contributions tab you will find the member’s attended events, achievements, and contributions to SRAI. The Achievements subgroup lists completed education and volunteer activity badges. List of Contributions shows the member’s input in various forum postings.
The SRAI Member Directory is most effective and yields the greatest benefit when member profiles are as robust as possible. Be sure to review your personal SRAI profile periodically to update changes, including professional responsibilities, awards, and areas of expertise. It is an easy and convenient way to connect with colleagues and offers exciting possibilities/opportunities to expand your professional development network.
Contact SRAI at info@srainternational.org if you need help searching the Member Directory.
Authored by Rosemary C. Dillon MA, Director, Research Development Services (Retired)
Temple University
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#June2023
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