Whether it’s the icy touch of the stethoscope as the doctor directs you to breathe in deeply or a hygienist asking you, ‘what you’ve been up to lately?’ while inserting dental tools into your mouth – checkups don’t tend to be our preferred way to spend time, especially when there are cows to feed and hay to put up. But often the anticipation of the task is worse than the task itself. The same goes for checking in on your American Angus Association® membership information. It’s a task we could easily put off and often do. 

“Ensuring your account information is correct and up to date is often something members overlook until it prevents them from doing business,” says Hannah Beck, who leads the Association’s Member Services team. “A few minutes at the computer this summer, could save a lot of time down the road.” 

Going through a simple check list can catch changes in your operation that can go unnoticed in your membership. 

• Membership Information 
• Preferences 
• Password Access 
• Authorized Parties 

Membership Information 

As a member, you can view the information associated with your membership at any time by logging into your AAA Login account and navigating to the My AAA Member Information section under the My Account tab. There you’ll be able to view the email, phone numbers and address on file. Information can be updated using the comment box at the bottom of the of the page. The contact information on this page is used by the Association and its entities to share important updates, including deadlines and business notices. 

In June, all members with an AAA Login account and email on file were transitioned to paperless billing including invoices, receipts and suspense letters. Regardless of paperless preference, these business items are available at any time within Login. 

AAA Login Tip:

Did you know, regardless of paper preferences, you can forward AAA Login Message Center messages, which include notice of suspense items, to an email and/or text? Forwarding can be set up by accessing the message center under the pink envelope icon at the top of the page > View All > Notification Preferences. 

A summer checkup is also a great time to submit a name change request. In February, following member feedback and internal efficiencies, the Association’s Board of Directors reduced the fee from $500 to $100. Name changes can be initiated by emailing aaamemberships@angus.org for the form. 

Preferences 

While paperless preferences help the Member Services team serve you in a timelier manner, it continues to be optional. Those who wish to continue with all or some paper business can select those preferences in AAA Login.  

Billing: My Account > Billing Preferences 

Benefits of Paperless: prevent crisscross in the mail and overpayment. 

Resources for managing paperless billing are available through Angus University: Step-By-Step Billing Guide and Manage Billing Video Tutorial 

Suspense Letters & AHIR^® Reports: My Account > Report Preferences 

Benefits of Paperless: resolve suspense items in less time. AHIR reports can be printed next day. 

Resources for managing suspense items are available through Angus University:  

Step-By-Step Suspense Guide and Manage Suspense Video Tutorial  

Registration Certificates: My Account > Registration Certificate Storage Preference 

Benefits of e-store: EPDs are updated weekly, transfers and corrections can be done online, and printed copies can be requested. 

Password Access 

We are all aware of the threat hackers pose to our online accounts. While you may be diligent about keeping your password secure from those lurking in the dark corners of the web, what about those you know? Is there a past employee that still has access to your AAA Login or email account? Have you changed your passwords since they left? We want to think the best of everyone, but there have been cases of misuse.  

You can update your Login password by going to My Account > Change Password. 

Authorized Parties 

In that same vein, have you recently checked to see who is authorized to conduct business on behalf of your membership? Approved agents, like a ranch manager or office assistant, can be authorized to initiate transfer requests, enter data and make requests on behalf of the membership. Having a partner on the membership who is authorized to complete any business on behalf of the account, can also ensure business can continue to be conducted in the event of a death. Agents and partners can be added and removed from your membership as needed by form. 

In most cases, a summer checkup on these items will take just a few minutes and can be done the next time you log in to submit data or order DNA testing. In the event a change needs to be made, the time spent this summer will ensure you are preventing any delays when you are under a deadline.