Hello — this guide is written for you as the person who will use the Admin part of nsva.org. You do not need technical training: follow these pages in order the first few times, then use them as your checklist whenever you come back to the site.
If a screen looks slightly different (colors, exact wording), look for the same ideas: Sign in, Admin, Applications, Orders, and so on. The site is updated from time to time, but the flow stays the same.
When you need more detail (who receives which emails, every permission name): Site guide — roles, admin tasks & email
What you are doing here
You already know how to use the public website as a member. Admin is the same website, with extra work queues opened to your account: lists of membership applications, store orders, and other items that need a human decision.
Your account only shows the areas you are allowed to use. That is normal. If something you need is missing, that is an access issue — see When to ask for help at the end.
Step 1 — Sign in and open Admin
- Open a current browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari).
- Go to https://nsva.org.
- Click Sign in.
- Enter your NSVA email and password. Complete two-step verification if the site asks for it.
- Go straight to Admin:
- Type
https://nsva.org/adminin the address bar and press Enter, or - Open Dashboard and use any Admin / Admin Panel link you see.
- Type
You are in the right place when: you see a dark blue header with Admin or Admin Panel, and a set of cards (tiles) below — each card is one work area.
Step 2 — Understand the Admin home screen
Treat this page as your desk.
| What you see | How to use it |
|---|---|
| Numbers across the top | Quick counts (for example pending applications or orders). Use them to see what is waiting. |
| Cards (each with a title and short description) | Each card opens one type of work. Click one card to start. |
| Help or Site guide | Extra reading on this same website — optional. |
To go back to this desk after you open a card, use the Back button in the browser or click toward Admin / home until this page returns.
Step 3 — Where to click for which job
Match your task today to the list below. Names may read slightly differently on screen; choose the card that matches the job, not every word.
| Card / area (typical name) | Use it when you need to… |
|---|---|
| Membership applications or Applications | Review or decide on new membership applications. |
| Store orders or Orders | Work on Ship’s Store purchases (payment, packing, shipping). |
| Members | Look up a member or use exports your access allows. |
| Analytics or Reports | View numbers and summaries (sales, membership, queues). |
| Sponsorship | Handle sponsorship or partnership inquiries. |
| Operations or Operations Center | See combined queues and routing (if your access includes this). |
| Newsletter or News blast | Send a bulk email to members who opted in (only if this card appears for you). |
| Roles & permissions | Change who can do what on the site — use extra care; many accounts never need this. |
| Audit log | Read a record of important actions (usually read-only). |
Choosing where to start today: If you handle new members, open Applications first. If you handle the store, open Orders. If you are not sure, open Applications and Orders and see which list has items waiting.
Step 4 — Walkthroughs (follow in order)
A. Membership applications
- From Admin home, open Membership applications or Applications.
- Open one application from the list (start at the top unless you are prioritizing a specific case).
- Read everything the applicant entered.
- On that page, use the actions the site gives you. You will typically see options such as approving, declining, or adding a note — use what appears; the exact labels can vary.
- Save, Submit, or Confirm if the page asks — do not leave the page until your action is saved.
- Go back to the list and repeat for the next application.
The site may email the applicant automatically after certain actions. You do not need to send a separate personal email unless your national or chapter policy says to follow up outside the system.
B. Ship’s Store orders
- Open Store orders or Orders.
- Find orders that still need work (often paid or not yet shipped — wording may vary).
- Open one order.
- Enter tracking or carrier information in the fields provided, if you are shipping a physical package.
- Change status using the control on the page (for example to Shipped or the closest match) when the order goes out.
- Save or Update before you leave the page.
- Return to the list and continue with the next order.
C. Newsletter (only if the Newsletter card appears for you)
- Open Newsletter or News blast.
- Fill in Subject and the message body carefully. Proofread names, dates, and links.
- If the page asks who receives the message (national vs chapter, etc.), choose only what your responsibility covers.
- Use Send (or the final button offered) once you are sure the content is correct. Sending reaches people who opted in; do not paste the same list into personal email.
- If the page shows a preview, use it before sending.
When to ask for help
Reach out to national office staff or technical support when:
- You cannot sign in (password, lockout, or lost two-step method).
- A card or button you need is missing — your permissions may need to be updated by someone who manages roles.
- You see an error message you cannot resolve: write down the exact text or capture a screenshot (do not include passwords).
- Anyone asks you to change server settings, DNS, secrets, or anything labeled production — that is outside this guide; pass it to technical staff.
Habits that keep everyone safe
- Sign out on shared or public computers.
- Finish one task (save or submit) before jumping to another long task in a different tab.
- Do not export member data into personal email or personal files unless policy allows it.
The flow in one line
Sign in → nsva.org/admin → pick the card for today’s job → complete each item → return to /admin
You stay on nsva.org the whole time; Admin is simply a restricted section your account is allowed to open.