Partners, co-workers and social members

A linked member is a member who is connected to a plot but does not hold it, such as a partner, a co-worker or a social member. Charges for a linked member are added to the plot holder's invoice.

Link a member to a plot

The person must first be added as a member. You can then link them from the plot or from the member.

• From the plot: go to Plots, open the plot's Actions menu and select Linked members.
• From the member: open the member, select Manage plots & links, and use Helping on someone else's plot.

Select the plot or member, and enter a label, such as "Co-worker", "Partner" or "Social member". The label is free text and is shown on the plot, the invoice and the member's record.

To include the linked member in emails about the plot, select Include in plot emails.

If the member signed up through your online waiting list, linking them removes their provisional status. They are then shown in the members list and included in Add all members. Their waiting list place is kept.

Charge for linked members

1. Create a charge and set the basis to Per linked member.
2. Select Apply to this year on the charge. Linked members are also charged automatically when you open the next billing year.

Each linked member is shown on the plot holder's invoice as a separate line with their name:

Plot 12 — rent                    £45.00
Association membership            £15.00
Social membership — J Smith        £8.00
Social membership — B Smith        £8.00

The plot holder's membership fee and the linked member fee are separate charges and can have different amounts.

Note: Linking a member does not add them to the current invoice. Select Apply to this year on the charge after linking.

Charge some linked members only

By default, a per-linked-member charge applies to everyone linked to a plot. To charge some linked members only, or to charge different amounts:

1. Add the linked members to a member group, such as "Social members", under Members → Manage Groups.
2. On the charge, under Which linked people does it charge for?, select the group.
3. Select Apply to this year.

The group applies to the linked members, not the plot holder. The plot holder does not need to be in the group. To charge two different rates, create two charges, each limited to a different group.

If you add a member to the group or remove them from it, select Apply to this year on the charge again to add or remove their line.

What linked members do not have

• An invoice: charges are added to the plot holder's invoice.
• A balance page: the plot holder's balance page shows the full invoice, including lines for linked members.
• Reminder emails: reminders are sent to the plot holder.

Linked members can be emailed, added to groups, given custom field values and searched like other members.

Link a member during the year

Link the member, then select Apply to this year on the charge. Existing lines are not changed.

When a plot changes hands

When the last holder of a plot gives it up, all links to that plot are removed. A message shows how many links were removed. After the plot is reassigned, link the members again if needed.

You cannot link a member to a vacant plot.

Unlink a member

Unlinking a member does not change the current year's invoice. To remove their line, select Apply to this year on the charge. Previous years are not changed.

To remove one line without unlinking the member, select the × next to the line on the billing year page.

Members not connected to a plot

A member who is not linked to a plot cannot be charged, because every invoice belongs to a plot holder. You can still email them, and you can record payments in a custom member field, such as "Subs paid".