Member Lifecycle

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Overview

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Lifecycle Stages

Discovery → Application → Onboarding → Active Participation → Growth → Transition

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Stage 1: Discovery & Recruitment

• Word of mouth from existing members
• Community events or meetings
• Local advertising (flyers, radio)
• Workplace or church groups
• Social media or online communities

• Attend informational meeting
• Ask questions about requirements
• Observe a regular meeting (if policy allows)
• Receive membership materials

• How much do I need to contribute?
• When can I get a loan?
• What if I can’t attend meetings?
• How do I get my money back if I leave?

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Stage 2: Application & Approval

1. Fill out membership form
2. Provide identification documents
3. Pay application fee (if required)
4. Provide references (if policy requires)

• Residency in community
• Referral from existing member
• Stable income/livelihood
• Committee vote (majority approval)

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Stage 3: Onboarding (First 3 Months)

• Invited to Agatabo system
• Account created with login credentials
• Initial contribution recorded
• Member savings account opened

• Attend orientation session
• Learn organization rules and policies
• Understand contribution schedule
• Get training on Agatabo (if self-service)

• Make first few contributions
• Attend first meetings
• Meet other members
• Ask clarifying questions

• Member confused about requirements
• Missed contributions early
• Feels disconnected from group
• Financial hardship hits

• Buddy system (pair with experienced member)
• Frequent check-ins by treasurer
• Immediate involvement (volunteer for committee)
• Early small loan (builds trust and commitment)

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Stage 4: Active Participation (Ongoing)

• Monthly contributions (savings deposits)
• Attend meetings (monthly or quarterly)
• Vote on organization decisions
• Participate in social events

• Build savings balance
• Apply for loans when needed
• Repay loans on time
• Receive dividends (if distributed)

• Join loan committee
• Serve as treasurer or secretary
• Become board member
• Mentor new members

• Contribution consistency (% months paid on time)
• Meeting attendance rate
• Loan repayment history
• Committee participation

• Missed contributions (financial hardship)
• Conflict with other members
• Dissatisfaction with governance
• Life changes (moved away, changed jobs)

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Stage 5: Growth & Maturation

• Savings balance grows
• Eligible for larger loans
• Gains voting rights (if probationary period exists)
• Builds social capital within group

• Reliable contributor (never misses payment)
• Good borrower (repays loans early)
• Active participant (attends meetings, volunteers)
• Recruiter (brings in new members)

• 6 months: Probation ends (if applicable), full voting rights
• 1 year: First anniversary, eligible for recognition
• 3 years: Veteran member, leadership candidacy
• 5+ years: Senior member, mentor role

• Year 1: Saved 120,000 RWF (12 months × 10,000)
• Year 2: Saved 240,000 RWF (cumulative)
• Year 3: Saved 360,000 RWF + dividends
• Year 5: Savings = 600,000 RWF, eligible for 1.8M loan (3× savings)

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Stage 6: Transition (Leaving or Changing Role)

• Positive: Achieved savings goal, bought house, started business
• Neutral: Moved to different city, changed jobs
• Negative: Financial hardship, conflict with members, dissatisfaction

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Voluntary Withdrawal

• Member requests to withdraw savings and leave
• Must repay all outstanding loans first
• May face penalty or waiting period (per bylaws)
• Receives savings balance minus any fees

1. Submit withdrawal request
2. Repay any outstanding loans
3. Wait notice period (e.g., 3 months)
4. Receive savings payout
5. Account marked inactive in Agatabo

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Forced Removal

• Serious policy violations (theft, fraud, harassment)
• Chronic non-payment of contributions
• Disruption of meetings
• Requires board vote

1. Investigation and hearing
2. Board vote on removal
3. If approved, settle financial accounts
4. Escorted resignation

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Natural Attrition

• Member gradually disengages (stops contributing)
• Eventually classified as inactive
• Savings held but no new contributions
• May reactivate later or formally withdraw

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Death

• Beneficiary information on file
• Savings + any dividends paid to estate
• Outstanding loans may be forgiven or settled by estate
• Memorial contribution or policy payout (if insurance exists)

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Member Status in Agatabo

• Contributing regularly
• Eligible for loans
• Voting rights
• Full system access

• Stopped contributing (voluntary or arrears)
• Ineligible for new loans
• No voting rights
• Read-only system access

• Temporary status (disciplinary or financial)
• Cannot borrow or vote
• Must resolve issues to reactivate

• Formally withdrawn
• All financial accounts settled
• No system access
• Historical record maintained

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Lifetime Value of a Member

• Savings deposited over membership
• Loan interest paid (revenue for organization)
• Fees paid (application, processing, penalties)

• Monthly contributions: 10,000 × 60 months = 600,000
• Loans taken: 3 loans totaling 1,500,000 principal
• Interest paid: 225,000 (15% annually on average balance)
• Fees paid: 30,000 (processing fees)
• Total financial value: 855,000 in revenue

• Recruited 2 new members
• Served on loan committee 2 years
• Never defaulted on loan
• Built community cohesion

• Consistent contributor (never misses)
• Responsible borrower (repays on time)
• Active participant (meetings, committees)
• Positive influence (recruits, mentors)

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Retention Strategies

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