What we did
Overview
When the Way of Life Alumni Association — a proud alumni organization of the United States Air Force Academy — approached us, they needed more than just a new website. They sought a digital space that honored their legacy, engaged their members, and advanced their mission of lifelong connection and service.
We responded with a comprehensive transformation, redesigning their website from the ground up to create an inspiring, modern, and user-friendly experience. Our team not only reimagined the site’s visual identity but also streamlined its functionality — making it easier for members to stay connected, give back, and participate in the association’s programs.
To ensure long-term impact, we migrated their data and communications from Mailchimp to our in-house CRM platform, Avarr Stream, unlocking new levels of automation, engagement, and donor insight. We introduced features such as automatic membership renewal reminders, donation acknowledgments, and a secure member portal where alumni can connect, share, and build community.
What began as a digital facelift quickly evolved into a platform for growth and engagement — one that continues to serve the WOLAA community with pride and purpose.
Key Challenges
Manual membership renewal and payment tracking created administrative bottlenecks
Fragmented communication tools made it difficult to track outreach and engagement
Outdated website failed to represent the energy and professionalism of the alumni association
No centralized member hub to foster community connection year-round
Solutions Delivered
Website Redesign: A modern, mobile-optimized site was built to elevate the brand, simplify navigation, and highlight key alumni initiatives.
Community Platform Development: A private, members-only online community was implemented to increase ongoing engagement between alumni beyond social media.
CRM Implementation: Transitioned WOL from Mailchimp to a centralized CRM platform that supports segmentation, automated campaigns, member analytics, and real-time reporting.
Automated Membership System: Set up an end-to-end renewal process with recurring billing options (monthly and annual), welcome sequences, and payment tracking.
Training & Onboarding: Provided training to WOL leadership to ensure smooth adoption of new tools and processes.
Results
100% of active members transitioned to automated payments in under 60 days
Over 70% reduction in administrative workload due to automation and CRM integration
Significant increase in member activity within the new community platform
Fully aligned digital ecosystem allowing WOL to scale to new chapters and manage targeted campaigns from one dashboard
Technology Stack
Website: WordPress with advanced membership plugins
CRM: Custom implementation of a robust platform replacing Mailchimp (e.g., Keap, HubSpot, or similar)
Email + SMS Automation: Integrated with CRM workflows
Payment: Stripe + Automated Recurring Billing
Community: Private platform for member forums, events, and networking
Conclusion
This case study highlights how Avarr Webbing helps mission-driven organizations like WOL transform from outdated tools to future-ready ecosystems. With a strategy grounded in both technology and community, WOL now operates with greater clarity, capacity, and connection, and is positioned for sustained growth in the years to come.
